What is upper back pain?
Upper back pain is any type of pain or discomfort throughout the area of the thoracic spine. The thoracic spine and upper back run from the cervical spine in the neck to the lumbar spine in the lower back. The upper back area includes the shoulder blades and back of the rib cage.
Most people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. However, pain in the upper back is not as common as lower back pain because the thoracic spine does not move as much as the spine in the lower back and neck.
Upper back pain may either be acute, lasting briefly, or it may be chronic, lasting longer than three months. Your pain may be dull and throbbing or sharp and stabbing. You may be in constant pain, or the pain may occur only during a particular activity, such as lifting grocery bags or after working at your desk for a prolonged period of time.
In addition to the thoracic spine and shoulder blades, there are numerous nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the upper back. Any of these structures can become irritated or inflamed in response to a variety of different factors and conditions. This includes poor posture, overuse, trauma, arthritis and, rarely, bone cancer. However, most upper back pain causes involve muscle irritation or joint problems and are usually not a cause for concern.
Upper back pain occurring with other symptoms, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, may be a sign of a heart attack and should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. In addition, if your pain is extreme, persistent, or causes you concern, contact your doctor.
What other symptoms might occur with upper back pain?
Upper back pain symptoms vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Upper back pain due to infection or inflammation may be accompanied by a fever. Back pain due to a more complex condition, such as fibromyalgia, may involve insomnia and fatigue. The range of symptoms include:
Fatigue
Fever
Mood changes, including anxiety and depression
Morning back stiffness
Redness, warmth, or swelling of the back
Sleep disturbance
Stress
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition
In some cases, upper back pain may occur with other symptoms that might indicate a heart attack or other life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for upper back pain that occurs along with any of the following symptoms:
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
What causes upper back pain?
The upper back consists of the thoracic spine (bony structures called vertebrae surrounding the nerves of the spinal cord), shoulder blades, and the back (posterior) side of the rib cage. Between the vertebrae are spongy sacs of cartilage called discs that act as a cushion and provide a range of motion to the back. Muscles, tendons and ligaments provide additional support. Any of these structures in the back can become irritated or inflamed in response to a variety of mild to serious conditions.
A common cause of mild to severe pain in the upper back is a sudden movement during sports activities or home improvement projects. Upper back pain can also be due to more serious conditions, such as fibromyalgia, spondylitis (a type of arthritis of the spine), or disc herniation. A bulging disc can put pressure on the nerve roots coming out from the spine, resulting in upper back pain. Although the lower back is a “hot spot” for bulging, or herniated, discs, the discs in the upper back can also deteriorate and rupture.
In addition, a problem in another part of the body, such as the heart, can radiate to the upper back. This is called referred upper back pain. It can also occur with a problem in the lungs that causes referred upper back pain when breathing. However, this can also occur with muscle strains in the area.
Structural causes of upper back pain
Thoracic back pain can be due to injury, inflammation or infection of the bones and tissues including:
Muscle spasm
Osteomyelitis (infection or inflammation of the spinal bones)
Osteoporosis (metabolic bone disease)
Paget’s disease of the bone
Spinal degeneration (degenerative disc disease, also called spondylosis)
Spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal that presses on the spinal cord or nerves)
Spine fracture
Spondylitis (infection or inflammation of the spinal joints)
Sprains and strains due to overuse or injury
Life-threatening causes of upper back pain
In some cases, back pain may be due to a serious or life-threatening condition that should be evaluated as soon as possible or in an emergency setting. Possible life-threatening conditions that involve upper back pain include:
Heart attack
Kidney stones and disease (although this pain is usually below the rib cage)
- Spinal tumor or cancer (the tumor can be malignant, metastatic or noncancerous, also known as benign)
What are the risk factors for upper back pain?
Although anyone can experience upper back pain, certain risk factors make it more likely to develop. Being older than 30 years of age and leading a sedentary lifestyle are the most common risk factors. These and other risk factors for upper back pain include:
When should you see a doctor for upper back pain?
Sudden pain in the upper back can be a sign of a heart attack. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room for upper back pain when:
The pain radiates from your chest or also involves the jaw, neck, shoulder or arm.
You have other symptoms, including cold sweat, anxiety, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea or vomiting.
You have sudden crushing pain or pressure in the left upper back or shoulder.
You should also seek emergency medical care for upper back pain when:
You have new bowel or bladder problems.
You have a fever or chest or abdominal pain.
You have sustained a back injury, such as a blow to the upper back or a car accident, fall, or sports injury.
Most cases of mild upper back pain will resolve with home treatment. However, there are times when seeing a doctor is the safest option to make sure nothing serious is causing the pain. See your doctor when upper back pain:
Interferes with your sleep, work, or daily activities
Is constant or severe, does not respond to rest, or is worse when you lie down
Persists for more than two weeks despite home management
Occurs with unexplained weight loss, redness and swelling on the back, or weakness, numbness or tingling in the arms, chest or legs
- Radiates or spreads to the arms or legs
How do doctors diagnose the cause of upper back pain?
To diagnose the cause of your upper back pain, your doctor will ask you several questions about your pain including:
When did your upper back pain start?
Can you describe your pain? Is it sharp, dull, achy or burning?
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst pain ever, how would you rate your pain?
Is your upper back pain on the left side, right side, or both sides?
Is your upper back pain constant or does it come and go?
What, if anything, makes your upper back pain better or worse?
Are you experiencing any other symptoms, such as weakness or numbness?
Does your upper back pain wake you at night or limit your activities during the day?
Have you ever injured your back?
What do you do for work?
Do you exercise?
Your doctor will also perform a physical exam, feeling your back for areas of tenderness or abnormalities. You may need to move your arms, reach in different directions, bend and change positions. Your doctor will want to know if movement affects your pain or if pain limits your movements. Your doctor may also test your muscle strength and reflexes.
In some cases, testing may be necessary including:
Blood tests to check your blood cell counts and electrolytes
Bone scans if osteoporosis or a bone tumor is a possibility
Imaging exams, including X-rays, CT (computed tomography) scans, and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging)
Nerve studies to evaluate how well your nerves and muscles are working
It is not always possible to diagnose an underlying cause or condition. If the problem persists and your provider is unable to determine a cause, seeking a second opinion may give you more information and answers.
What are the potential complications of upper back pain?
The complications associated with any kind of back pain depend on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Most cases of upper back pain are not due to serious diseases and do not lead to long-term complications. Physical therapy, basic self-care measures, and following the treatment plan outlined by your doctor can help treat many causes of back pain and relieve pain. However, upper back pain may become chronic and overwhelming. If you are struggling, ask your doctor about advances in back pain treatment.
Over time, upper back pain can lead to complications including:
Absenteeism from work or school
Permanent nerve damage (due to a pinched nerve) including paralysis
Physiological and psychological response to chronic pain
- Poor quality of life