If you have pain in your upper back, it’s likely caused by a strained muscle. Most mild back strains and sprains heal within a couple of weeks with rest, heat, ice, light exercise and avoiding over-doing things.
This area of the spine contains many muscles and tendons. It’s easy to pull a muscle in this area when lifting something heavy or twisting in an awkward way.
Causes
Various factors can contribute to muscle strains and ligament sprains in your upper back. These include poor posture over time, which can lead to structural changes that put unnecessary pressure on muscles, tendons and ligaments; lifting heavy objects without using proper body mechanics; performing repetitive motions in a job or exercise routine that overwork or stress back muscles; falling, especially when you hit the ground with force; and gaining excess weight quickly.
The upper and middle back (the thoracic spine) has 12 small bones called vertebrae that form your backbone. Between each vertebrae are shock-absorbing disks that enable movement and protect the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that runs vertically through your spine. Over time, excessive movement or a strong force can cause these disks to tear or rupture, leading to herniated discs. Likewise, the vertebrae can fracture. Other causes of upper and middle back pain include issues related to the lungs or heart, which are located within the ribcage.
Symptoms
Although pain in the upper back is less common than lower back pain, it can be just as debilitating. Fortunately, it is usually easy to diagnose and treat. Most pulled muscles can be relieved with ice packs, over-the-counter pain medications and gradual activity recovery.
The rhomboid muscles in your upper back are located on either side of the spine, connecting the edges of your shoulder blades to your spine. When they are strained, you may experience pain centered in the area, especially when moving or breathing.
The most common symptom of a pulled muscle in the back is pain. This pain is often sharp and severe, but it can be dull or achy. You may also feel stiffness or a limited range of motion in the affected muscle. Symptoms that don’t fit the classic description of a pulled muscle, such as tingling or numbness in your legs, are more likely to be caused by a herniated disc, which requires medical attention.
Diagnosis
For many people, back pain is minor and resolves on its own with a few days of rest. For others, a visit to a health care provider is required.
Doctors will begin by asking the patient to describe their symptoms and when they began. They will also want to know if there was any recent trauma or injury. This helps narrow down the cause of the pain, which may include poor posture, a herniated disc or bone fracture in the upper vertebrae.
The upper back, called the thoracic spine, is anchored to the rib cage and bears less weight than the neck (cervical spine) or lower back (lumbar spine). This makes it somewhat more resistant to injury but prone to pain due to long-term bad posture or sudden injuries. Typically, the doctor will order an MRI to check for muscle damage and determine its severity. This allows for an appropriate treatment plan that may include over-the-counter acetaminophen or NSAIDs, heating pads and cold therapy, light exercise or stretching and stress reduction techniques.
Treatment
The first step in treating a pulled muscle is applying an ice pack as soon as possible. This reduces inflammation which is the primary source of pain in the initial days and helps start the healing process.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen are recommended to help control the pain. In addition, a heat pad or pack should be used after the initial 24 to 48 hours of the injury to increase blood flow and warm up the area.
A physical examination may also be performed to check the strength of the injured muscles and reflexes. Imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI scans can help identify the damaged areas and determine whether they are severe or mild. A CT scan can also identify if the affected area is bone or soft tissue related. These are usually done on a referral basis from your general practitioner.pulled muscle in upper back
