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The lower lumbar region may be the most common place where back pain develops — but that doesn’t mean the upper region is free from harm. In fact, many daily activities can cause injury to sensitive muscles, ligaments, joints, and discs found in the upper back. If you’ve experiencing upper back pain, here are a few potential reasons for the problem — and what you can do to resolve it.

5 Reasons You Experience Upper Back Pain

1. Poor Posture

Whether you’re sitting, standing, or lying down, hold yourself in a position that supports the natural curve of your spine. If you find yourself slouching or hunching forward, you are forcing the joints out of their natural alignment. Over time, this can cause extreme tension, tenderness, and pain in the upper back and neck areas.

2. Auto Accident

The sudden force of an auto accident can jolt your neck back and forth, causing an injury known as whiplash. While whiplash is often characterized for causing neck pain, the condition may also cause injury to vertebral joints, discs, and tissues found in the upper back. If not properly treated, these injuries may lead to chronic and debilitating back pain.

3. Excessive Use

upper back painIf you’re an athlete or have a job that requires excessive physical activity, performing repetitive motions may place stress on the joints and tissues in your upper back. Too many sit-ups, for example, can result in painful inflammation of joints or overuse of muscle tissues. Stretching before any activity and practicing various exercises can help you avoid these types of injuries.

4. Improper Lifting

Lifting heavy objects with your back — and with the strength of your legs — is often associated with causing lower lumbar pain. Similarly, carrying heavy items — such as book bags or weights — can place stress on the upper back region. It’s crucial to be sure you’re using proper form in these lifting situations, as relying on your back and not lifting through the legs may cause serious damage.

5. Pinched Nerves

Improper posture, poor lifting technique, and injury are all incidents that may cause the joints in the spine to become misaligned. When this happens, friction between the joints — or the discs between them — may pinch or aggravate nerves running up and down the spine. Until the nerve is properly released, this pressure may cause it to relay pain signals to the brain.

 

If you are experiencing upper back pain, Step By Step Physical Therapy has the resources to help. With a comprehensive understanding of the body’s joints and muscles, these physical therapists of Warsaw, NY, can precisely pinpoint injuries within the upper back. After a thorough evaluation, these specialists will personalize your treatment to reduce inflammation, strengthen tissues, and promote healing processes to minimize pain and improve overall mobility. To learn more about the restorative capabilities of these physical therapy services, visit the clinic online. For appointments, call a friendly team member at (585) 786-8700.

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