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Thoracic spine pain1/30/2024 ![]() ![]() The cartilage that protects the bones can wear down (osteoarthritis), leading to pain. The source of back pain is sometimes not the muscles, but a problem in the bones and joints. Excess weight places increased stress on the spine as well as pressure on the discs. It can be job-related or the result of any activity that requires repetitive motion. ![]() The pain may stem from connective tissue problems in the back. This ongoing (or “ chronic”) pain disorder is often triggered after a muscle has contracted over and over. Strenuous activity causes muscle strains, ligament sprains, and inflammation in the upper back. A classic example is a baseball pitcher who repeats similar movements with every pitch, resulting in shoulder pain. Typically, repeating the same motions over time can cause muscle strain and irritation. Over time, the weakening of muscles can lead to pain. Just as one can exercise to condition and strengthen their muscles, one can also decondition their muscles over time by not using them correctly. In particular, lifting or holding a heavy object above the head, especially more toward the left or right as opposed to center, can leave the shoulder and upper back susceptible to injury. Lifting a heavy object without keeping the spine aligned can put undue stress on the upper back. Though this is more common in the lower back, it can also happen in the upper back. When the area around the disc is damaged, the cushioning material can push out between the vertebrae and press on spinal nerves. The stresses on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine, or the effects of aging, can cause the vertebrae to deteriorate. Trauma from a fall or sports injury can damage spinal bones, discs, muscles, ligaments, nerves, or other soft tissues. Some of the more common causes of upper back pain are: When the upper back becomes painful, it is most likely due to an injury resulting in muscular irritation or joint dysfunction. In rare cases, the pain may be the result of a progressing infection or illness, or from spinal instability that has started to affect a nerve root or even the spinal cord. There may also be no apparent reason for the pain or a serious underlying cause. The pain can be the result of poor posture, muscle overuse (also infrequent use), or the result of an injury. Upper back pain can appear suddenly anywhere between bones of the thoracic spine. The rigidity is because each of the thoracic spine’s vertebrae are connected to a pair of ribs which, along with the sternum at the front of the chest, and the spine, form the body’s rib cage. Unlike the cervical spine ( neck) and lumbar spine ( lower back), the thoracic spine is relatively immobile. Because this area of the spine is located between the neck (cervical spine) and lower back (lumbar spine), it is often referred to as either the “upper back” or “middle (or mid) back.” The first bone of the upper back begins at the base of the neck, and the 12th bone ends just below the ribcage. There are 12 bones that make up the upper back (thoracic spine). The upper back is the area of the spine located between the base of the neck and the bottom of the ribcage. Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Upper Back Pain. ![]() Is It Possible to Prevent Upper Back Pain?.What are the Symptoms of Upper Back Pain?.You should always consult the Novus Spine & Pain Center’s Pain Clinic in Lakeland, Florida if you have persistent pain. Pain in your back can restrict mobility and interfere with normal function and quality of life. When upper back pain occurs, however, it is typically due to long-term poor posture or an injury that overpowers the thoracic spine’s sturdiness.īack pain can range from a mild, dull, annoying ache, to persistent, severe, disabling pain. Because it is anchored to the rib cage, the upper back bears less body weight and has a more limited range of motion than the neck (cervical spine) and lower back (lumbar spine). The upper back is remarkably resistant to injury and pain. It is the only section of the spine that is attached to the rib cage. The upper back, or thoracic spine, is the longest section of the spine running from the base of the neck down to the abdomen.
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