5 things to know about left side upper back pain
Upper back pain can be accompanied by neck and shoulder pain and even pain down the arms and into the hands.
Here are 5 fast facts about upper back pain
Muscle strains and ligament sprains are the most common cause of upper back pain and can be injured by overloading these structures such as by lifting something too heavy
Posture and lifestyle can contribute to or even cause upper back pain
People that work at desks or sit a lot may be hunched over with their heads forwards and this can place stress on the structures in the back that can cause pain
Changing positions and incorporating regular breaks and stretches, improving posture and increasing the mobility of the neck, back and shoulders and strengthening/stabilizing these can help decrease the pain felt over time
Ergonomics and desk-set up can be also very important to improving upper back pain symptoms
This can include a chair with lumbar support that allows you to have a 90 degree angle at your knees and feet flat on the floor
Desk height that allows your elbows to be at a 90 degree angle
Monitor to be at eye level
Underlying causes like herniated discs, scoliosis, arthritis, fractures may be contributing to the upper back pain but may still be managed conservatively and successfully with increasing mobility and strengthening and stabilizing muscles. It is important to note that upper back pain may be referred pain from organs (notably heart, lungs, kidneys in this region) due to serious underlying conditions and medical attention should be immediate especially when pain is accompanied by symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or fever
Physiotherapy can help not only treat and manage the symptoms of upper back pain (as long as the cause is not referred pain from organs as mentioned in 4.) but contribute to changing movement patterns by improving mobility and strength which may ultimately lead to less recurrent pain in the future
Where to get help from a physiotherapist for upper back pain in Toronto
If you are looking to get started with physiotherapy treatment, please feel free to book in with one of our physiotherapists at Resilience Physiotherapy!
Our clinic is located in the Toronto Annex area and we specialize in physiotherapy treatment for orthopedic injuries and conditions such as neck pain, frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tears, and low back pain and injury.