Upper Back Pain

Upper back pain is not as prevalent as lower back pain, but can be very painful. Examine the common upper back pain causes and treatment options.

Intercostal muscle strains are commonly caused by an injury to already weakened and overused muscles. Athletes in sports like golf, tennis, and weight lifting and have an increased risk for intercostal muscle strains.

Examine upper back pain causes, including common and uncommon causes of upper back pain, including muscular irritation, joint dysfunction and more.

Diagnosing the cause of upper back pain can be complex, and will often require a physical examination, patient history, and some form of diagnostic testing.

Self care, including rest, exercise, and a healthy diet, are all important first steps for treating upper back pain.

Like many upper back conditions, intercostal muscle strain symptoms include pain, stiffness, and tenderness in the upper back. A doctor will assist in obtaining an accurate diagnosis.

If upper back pain does not subside after weeks of self-care, a medical profession can help to create a treatment plan. In rare cases, surgery may be considered to treat persistent upper back pain.

Although thoracic discs are less likely than cervical or lumbar discs to become symptomatic, they are subject to degeneration over time.

The 12 nerve roots in the thoracic spine control the motor and sensory signals for the upper back, chest, and abdomen.

The thoracic spine consists of 12 vertebrae: 7 vertebrae with similar physical makeup and 5 vertebrae with unique characteristics.