Back problems are one of the leading occupational hazards in the United States. Upper back pain is less common than lower back pain. The upper back is generally considered to be the thoracic cage. The thoracic cage consists of 12 spinal bones in their ribs. The spinal bones are connected with soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons and muscles. This skeletal structure is designed to protect the vital organs of the body.
The spinal column is designed to provide support to the body and must also maintain its flexibility. The upper back actually experiences very little movement. The neck and the lower back tend to move more than the upper back.
The incidence of upper back pain can vary significantly. There are a number of potential causes which can contribute to discomfort in this area. Since it does have less movement than other parts of the spine, when injuries do occur in this area they can be somewhat painful.
The upper back has two main functions in the body. The first is providing the major organs with a protective barrier. The second is to transmit the body weight between the head and the lower extremities. Although it is not move as much it must be flexible to help distribute weight of your body.
One common cause of upper back pain may simply be a strain or a sprain. This generally has to do with the soft tissues between the bones of the spine. They can become stretched or over utilize leading to injury. The other is classified as joint dysfunctions.
One type of soft tissue injury involves either a string or a sprain. When this occurs, the muscles in the back are stretched excessively. Excessive stretching can cause tears that develop in the muscle tissue. In the case of a sprain, the injury occurs to you the ligaments between the bones. These are the two most common occurrences of upper back problems.
The two most common conditions which accounts for the most common causes of back pain are strains and sprains. These are soft tissue injuries. The soft tissues must have sufficient strength yet have enough flexibility to perform their functions.
When we picture over exerting our muscles, we think that we are strenuously working them out. In the case of upper back pain, working at the computer can cause much discomfort to this area. If the muscles are held under tension, they become fatigued and stiff.
There are a number of more serious conditions which can result in more chronic upper back pain. One common cause of back pain is a ruptured or herniated disc. The discs act as shock absorbers during movement to provide a cushion. Over time they may wear and lose their flexibility. Other conditions are arthritis, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis.
Since there are a variety of causes for upper back pain, there are also a variety of treatment options. In certain cases, surgery may be the only option. However, most injuries occur to the soft tissues which can be treated with physical therapy or chiropractic manipulation. Both of these involve the use of stretching, exercise and massage therapy. It is important to restore the flexibility of the spine and to build up its strength.
Always check with your physician and get a diagnosis as to your situation. There are quite a number of factors which can contribute to upper back pain. Your physician can run a number of tests to determine what issues may need to be resolved. They can also discuss with you treatment options available.
It is important to use natural ways to restore the health and vitality of your upper back. The goal of any treatment is to restore the strength and flexibility of the spinal column. This ensures it long-term health and vitality.
About the Author:
Don't continue to suffer any more because of Upper Back Pain. Discover out what is causing your issues and relieve it. If you are thinking of frequent massage therapy then Discover out how a massage chair can make your life much easier. Many issues of Back Pain can be lessened with frequent massage therapy.
