Causes of Upper and Middle Back Pain

Pain in the upper and middle back area is less common than lower back or neck pain, but nonetheless, it is becoming more prevalent as more people spend long periods of time on the computer, smart phone, and other electronic devices and games. The result is experiencing pain that can make doing everyday life activities difficult. 

The area of the body from the base of the neck to the lowest part of the rib cage encompasses the upper and middle back, also referred to as the thoracic spine, is more rigid than the neck or lower back. The vertebrae, discs, and ligaments work to support the upper and middle part of the back and protect the heart, lungs, and other organs. 

An injury, pinched nerve, or inflammation can produce pain in the upper and middle back. Common symptoms may include:

  • Burning or sharp pain
  • Muscles that feel tight or inflexible
  • Numbness or tingling in the arms, chest, or legs
  • Weakness in arms or legs
  • No control of bowel or bladder

Numbness or weakness in areas of the body, or loss of bladder or bowel control are more serious symptoms that should be treated immediately.

At Innovative Pain & Spine in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, our experienced physicians will assess your condition and the severity of your pain. They will want to know what caused your pain so that they can determine the next steps toward helping you find relief.

Causes of Upper and Middle Back Pain

There are a number of things you may be doing at work or at home that can cause you to experience pain in the upper and middle back, such as:  

  1. Poor posture. If you spend countless hours at a computer or you are an avid texter, chances are the muscles in your upper back area are working overtime. The head alone weighs about 10 pounds and the muscles are busy supporting it as you stare at the screen hour after hour. You probably don’t even realize that your shoulders, upper back, and neck are slouching forward which creates the aching pain. Good posture and getting up and moving around at different times throughout the day can go a long way in reducing the strain on these muscles.

  2. Stress. From work to home, there are many situations that can cause you to be stressed. When you experience stress, your neck and shoulder muscles tense up, and can cause constant pain over time.

  3. Strenuous exercise. A great workout, one that pushes you to “feel the burn” can be welcome. However, strenuous exercise can cause strain in the muscles in the neck and shoulder areas. Lifting heavy objects repeatedly in a work environment can also lead to long-term pain in the upper and middle back area.

  4. Vertebrae injury. The most common injury to the vertebrae is often due to an auto accident. A fracture of a vertebra or misalignment can produce excessive pain that limits your mobility altogether.

  5. Herniated Disc. Compression of discs in the spine can lead to constant pain, likely due to aging.

  6. Osteoarthritis. This condition causes the cartilage that cushions joints in your spine to break down, resulting in pain when you move.

  7. Myofascial pain. This impacts the connective tissue of a muscle or muscles.

  8. Spinal Stenosis. The narrowing in the spinal canal can be caused by bone spurs, especially for someone who has scoliosis or osteoarthritis in the back.

  9. Age. As you age, the wear and tear overtime that your body experiences can cause pain.

  10. Weight. Excess weight can put added stress on your back.

What are Treatment Options?

Diagnosing your upper and middle back pain is the first step in determining the treatment plan. Our providers will complete a physical exam, take a medical history, and may also need to do an x-ray, CT, or MRI.

For some, upper and middle back treatment may involve a combination of over-the-counter pain medication, hot and cold packs, rest and minimal activity for a short period of time. Posture exercises may also be suggested.

If the back pain is found to be more severe, we may consider treatments that include prescription medications, trigger point injections, or kyphoplasty

The bottom line: upper and middle back pain is treatable and we can help. If you are suffering from upper and middle back pain, call the pain medicine experts at Innovative Pain & Spine Specialists in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska at 402-413-5010 and schedule an appointment today.