When you think about pain in your back, you probably envision discomfort in the lower regions of the spine. But upper back pain is actually almost as common as lower back pain. Upper back pain occurs somewhere between the bottom of the spine and your neck. And it’s just as problematic to your day to day life as lower back pain is. What causes upper back pain? There are actually quite a few things that can lead to this uncomfortable situation. It might be the result of an injury. Continuous poor posture can be the reason, as can picking up heavy objects the wrong way. If you’re parked in front of a computer for extended periods, this can also lead to pain in your neck, shoulders and upper back, which you probably already know.
Fortunately, there are some effective ways to treat upper back pain that can ease your distress and let you resume your normal routine in no time at all. Here’s a look at some of your treatment options.
OTC Pain Relievers: You can usually treat your upper back pain using over the counter medication. The preferred choice is an anti-inflammatory product like ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin. Make sure to follow the recommended dosage. You’ll probably need to take the pills for a couple of days. If your upper back pain is no better after this amount of time, it’s suggested that you visit your doctor. He or she can discover if there’s a more serious problem involved, or if you just need a stronger prescription strength medication.
Ice or heat: If an injury resulting from improper lifting or overexertion has led to your upper back pain, heat and ice are very useful to help reduce the inflammation and ease your discomfort. The standard routine is to ice the affected area for several days following the injury. After that, change over to moist heat so your muscles can relax and thereby reduce your pain. You’ll need to apply ice for about 20 minutes, approximately every six hours, for two or three days. If you don’t have an actual ice pack, a bag full of ice cubes wrapped in a towel will do just fine, as will a package of frozen peas. After a few days, discontinue the ice and apply heat in the form of a heating pad, heating bag or any other appropriate product. Make sure you wrap it in a towel first so you don’t burn yourself.
Exercise for prevention: After your injury has healed, it’s important that you do your best to prevent a similar occurrence in the future. Exercises will strengthen your back muscles and discourage upper back pain from coming back. There are lots of stretching routines you can do that will make your back muscles more flexible. Strength training will make your muscles stronger so they can better resist injury. Get some advice from your physician or physical therapist so you can create a good routine to prevent further problems with upper back pain in the future. And don’t give up, even after the pain is a distant memory.
There’s no doubt that upper back pain can disrupt your life and keep you from the activities that you enjoy. So be sure to treat it promptly and properly, and do everything you can to keep it from reoccurring.
