Lower back pain is so common that developing aching in your upper back might throw you for a loop. However, there are plenty of issues that can cause upper back pain.
Your upper back is also called the thoracic region, and developing pain in this area is a common problem. One medical study discovered that 1 in 10 men and 1 in 5 women suffer from thoracic back pain.
Dealing with the ache in your upper back means you’ll need to know what’s causing it. Physical therapists can help you learn what’s behind your thoracic back pain, and they can help you find effective treatment for your pain as well.
These four issues may be causing your upper back to ache:
- Poor posture — Sitting slumped forward over your computer or smartphone can have consequences for your upper back. It can cause your upper spine to become misaligned; poor posture can also trigger weakness and soreness in your upper back muscles.
- Sprained muscles — There are many muscles in your upper back. These muscles are involved in many normal daily activities, including things like getting dressed or lifting objects. However, putting too much stress on an upper back muscle can overstretch, or strain, it and lead to pain.
- Spinal osteoarthritis — The structures in your spine typically wear out as your body ages. When this happens, it’s known as spinal osteoarthritis, and this condition affects millions of U.S. adults.
- Herniated discs — Every vertebrae in the spine is cushioned by a pillowlike disc. These spinal discs consist of a tough outer layer and a gel-like inner layer. A disc herniation occurs when the outer disc layer is damaged and the inner material pokes out.
Find help for the ache in your upper back at Border TS
Are you tired of living with pain in your upper back? Our team at Border Therapy Services is primed to help you treat your thoracic back pain. We offer free screenings that can pinpoint the exact cause of your pain. Also, our physical therapists excel at constructing customized treatment plans that can reduce pain and prevent it from recurring. We can even treat your back pain right in your home thanks to our virtual therapy and at-home care services.
Contact our team today for more information about the treatment options we offer for upper back pain or to schedule your initial appointment.