Neck and Upper Back Pain  

Upper back pain is no better than pain in the lower back. While the latter can put up limitations on our ambulation mechanisms, pain in the upper back can hinder regular day to day activities where we use our hands, neck, and shoulder muscles, such as brushing, driving, typing etc.  

The pain can be localized or radiating, and it can cause a feeling of weakness, irritation, or sharp stings in the arms or both the neck and the upper back. Sometimes, the pain can be felt in the shoulders also.

Because of the structural joints, a pain in the upper back can affect the neck too. This is because the neck and the upper back both play a role in supporting the head. A major portion of the head movement is controlled by the top third of the neck, and the remaining by the lower two thirds and the upper back. This supportive nature of the upper back and the neck causes pain when there are any type of disruption in the area.

Reasons for upper back and neck pain

Muscle imbalances and trauma are the two main causes for upper back pain combined with neck pain. Muscular imbalances can cause posture dysfunctions, where the alignment of the shoulders and the head, and an abnormal joint positioning increases the wear and tear of joints, ligaments, and muscles, and sometimes even the discs. Trauma-like injuries or accidents can also cause upper back and neck pain.

Unlike trauma, muscle imbalances are a medical condition that develops gradually. Though the symptoms can be noticed early, the pain worsens over a long period of time.

Diagnosis

A physical therapist, chiropractor, or an MD should be able to diagnose the exact reason for your upper back pain along with problems in the neck region.

Treatments

The most common treatments involve cortisone injections, anti-inflammatory or non steroid drugs along with adequate rest. Physical therapy treatments like ultrasound, traction, hot packs, electrical nerve stimulation, and exercises have also proven to be effective.