Upper Back Pain - Various Causes Revealed

spinal stenosis

A person's upper back is also known as the thoracic back. It is the area between the neck and the lower back or lumbar back. The ribs or vertebrae are attached to the upper or thoracic back. It is the part of the spine which corresponds with the chest area. It is well established and strong for it serves to bear the burden of protecting the upper body. Thoracic back pain or upper back pain is not as widespread compared with lumbar back pain. The effect though of the thoracic back pain or upper back pain is also no less agonizing as that in other much more common spinal disorders.

The upper thoracic area is quite strong for it secures the internal chest organs and aids a person to stand erect. The restricted movements in this specific part of the body make it less likely to suffer from deterioration and less prone to injury or damage. The lumbar area as well as the neck on the other hand is more active since it facilitates movements thus it is more liable to suffer from impairment. The lower back is also predisposed to acquire common spinal disorders. This may be in the form of a degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, spinal instability, or spinal stenosis.

In the eventuality that a patient suffers from upper back pain, one should know the cause as well as the intent of injury. Usually thoracic back pain is brought about by strain and irritation in the muscles, dysfunction or abnormalities in the joints and trauma. Even a simple incorrect posture over an extended period of time might cause upper back pain. This often manifests with shoulder pain and/or pain in the neck area.

Another common cause of thoracic back or upper back pain is muscular irritation. This usually emanates from repetitive movements. Overworking the same set of muscles, especially the ones connecting the shoulder girdle to the shoulder blade and the thoracic rib cage bag, can also be strenuous thus causing upper back pain. De-conditioning or lack of strength in those cases can also be another reason of this agonizing condition. These are frequently found in injuries resulting from sports, accidents, etc.

Back pains, both thoracic and upper back pains and lumbar or lower back pains, and back injuries will affect a big percentage of Americans. It might even be chronic for some. The gravity of such injury in upper back pain would vary. Some might have more serious conditions compared with others. It might be minor for some but it nevertheless affects the everyday life of those suffering from it. It keeps them from enjoying even the simplest pleasures in life such as romping with their kids, dancing, playing basketball or volleyball, jogging, gardening or doing carpentry works. Even surfing the net might even cause a strain in the back. Extended computer use is a very common cause of back pain. Back pains, upper back pain, and back injuries are usually not brought about by just a single incident but rather a product of long term abuse of our body and poor habits.