Upper Back Pain Treatment

The upper back consists of the thoracic spine and is very rarely injured as often as the cervical and lumbar segments of the spine. This is due to the fact that the thoracic spinal segments enjoy a much more stable environment with less pressure and stress being applied on a daily basis. The thoracic spine is most often injured through repetitive muscular strain or poor posture over a course of time. Sudden trauma may also cause injury, however, muscle irritation and/or joint dysfunction are more common causes.

 Treatment

Upper back pain treatment may vary depending on where a patient seeks care. There are several healthcare options that a patient may choose from depending on the length and severity of the pain they experience. More conservative care would include chiropractic treatments that may help with upper back discomfort by reducing pain and addressing any muscular irritation with massage therapy as well as acupuncture, ultrasound and electrical stimulation. A chiropractic physician may also use active and passive exercise techniques to strengthen an area of weakness that may be causing pain in the thoracic spine. In some cases, a patient may not respond to conservative treatments and therefore they would be referred to another healthcare specialist for further testing. In very rare instances, spinal surgery would be required for someone who does not respond to any other form of treatment and has continued or increased pain and dysfunction in their upper back.

References Cited in this Article

www.backzilla.com

www.spine-health.com