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Upper and Middle Back Pain

Upper and mid back pain, though it strikes less frequently than low back pain, brings relentless discomfort that may disrupt your daily routine. The condition may cause intense pain that may confine you on the bed for days or even weeks. Henceforth, it deserves correct diagnosis and proper treatment just like that of low back pain. While there are various treatment modalities and options for the condition, chiropractic care can help reduce the pain effectively and quickly.

Instead of prescribing pain medication, T98 chiropractors use chiropractic adjustments in conjunction with other forms of treatments. The chiropractic adjustments treatment addresses the root problem to alleviate pain and strengthen the surrounding muscles. When you are experiencing upper and middle back pain, a consultation with T98 chiropractors may lead to a speedy recovery. Our chiropractors understand that no patient’s condition is the same. As such, the chiropractor will come up with a unique treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. Here is what you need to know about upper and middle back pain and how T98 chiropractors may assist.

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What is The Upper and Mid Back Pain?

About 50 percent of all working Americans admit to having back pain at some point in their life. Upper and mid back pain occurs anywhere from your neck’s base to the bottom of your rib cage. The limbs wrap up your back and attach to the spine. On the front, the limbs attach to a long flat bone at your chest center, referred to as the sternum. Irritated, injured, or pinched nerves in this area may cause pain that radiates down to your chest, arm, belly, and legs.

The main reason why upper and mid back pain is not as joint as low back pain is because the bones in this region do not move as much as those in the lower back region. The upper and middle back ensures a stable back and protects our vital organs, including the heart and lungs. Doctors refer to this region as the thoracic spine, and it comprises of:

12 vertebrae_ these re the bones that attach to the rib cage
Ligaments and muscles, which holds the spine together
Disc separating each vertebra. The discs also absorb shock as you walk

Upper and Mid-back Pain Symptoms

Upper and middle pain symptoms largely depend on the underlying condition or disorders. For instance, if the pain is due to a severe condition such as arthritis, you may experience pain in the back and other body parts. Pinched nerve back pain may lead to bladder control problems. Here are the common symptoms of upper and mid back pain.

Pain that starts suddenly or worsens gradually
Pain that affects a single point or distributes from your neck base to the entire back
Dull, burning pain on the upper and middle back
Pain that occurs together with muscle stiffness
A pain that gets worse when you perform certain activities
Constant pain in one area or comes and disappears

Severe Symptoms that Might Indicate a Life-Threatening Condition

Sometimes, upper and mid back pain may also include other symptoms, indicating a life-threatening condition such as cauda equina syndrome or heart attack. Some of the severe symptoms that require immediate treatment include:

Loss of bowel or bladder control
Chest pain or tightness
Jaw pain
Numbness, weakness, or paralysis in your legs
Difficulty in breathing
Severe pain in the abdomen

Upper and Middle Back Pain Causes

The upper and middle back area is quite large, meaning there is an increased risk of something going wrong. Muscle overuse, bad sitting posture, tight muscles, workouts, and strain are just some of the things that may contribute to upper and middle back pain. Depending on the leading cause, the pain ranges from mild to severe. The most common upper and mid back pain is:

Repetitive Use

Making repetitive moves that involve the middle and upper back may lead to stress, strain, or injuries to your muscles, tendons, and ligaments in this area.

Poor Posture

Sitting on your desk for extended periods of standing for long hours may also lead to upper and middle back pain.

Injuries

Any injury to your upper and mid-back structure can cause pain. For instance, your back may get hurt when you;

Slump or slouch when sitting or standing
When you over-exercise
Straining your back when doing yard work or playing sports
When you fall or slip and battered on your back
When you get jolted in a car crash
When you lift heavy items

Common Underlying Conditions that May Lead to Upper and Middle Back Pain

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common condition that occurs when the cartilage between the spine’s facet joints wears out. Once the cartilage depletes, it causes the vertebras to rub together, and this causes damage and intense pain.

Vertebrae Fracture

Putting too much force on the spine may lead to a vertebrae fracture. The excess force may be from direct impact to the spine or from an automobile accident. Compression fractures develop when the injury to the spine’s bone makes them break and collapse on top of each other. The condition usually develops from accidents such as a fall. Osteoporosis is another condition that may cause vertebrae fracture. The condition makes the bones weak and brittle. The weak bones can collapse from a minor injury, leading to intense pain.

Herniated Discs

A herniated disc is a condition that occurs when the spongy disc bolsters the spine, breaks, and presses the spine’s nerves. Normal aging is one of the causes that lead to disc wear and tear. The condition also arises when you take part in repetitive activities that cause lots of motion or vibration, such as using a jackhammer. Increased force in the back or heavy, a sudden strain may also make the discs bulge or break.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs in the spinal disc as you age. When we become old, the disc cushioning the spine degenerates. The outer layer of the discs tears, making them dehydrate. The discs have nerve endings on the wall. When they tear, it puts pressure on the nerve endings, causing pain. Discs breakdown also leads to arthritis, herniated disc, or spinal stenosis. Additionally, a sudden back injury from an auto accident injury or fall may accelerate the condition.

An Odd-shaped Spine

Kyphosis or scoliosis is some of the spine abnormality that can make your back hurt. A normal spine is usually straight. However, if you have scoliosis, the spine tends to curve from side to side, forming a C or S shape. Kyphosis condition causes the upper spine to have a rounded shape or look like a hump. People suffering from severe kyphosis or scoliosis may also have difficulty in breathing.

Spinal Stenosis

The spinal cords run down through a spinal canal, which is usually a bone opening. When the spinal canal narrows, it may put pressure on the spine. Sometimes the bones, disc tissue, and ligaments may also grow on the spinal canal and press against the spinal cord nerve. The irritation may cause pain and inflammation.

Diagnosing Upper and Middle Back Pain

It would be best to visit a chiropractic care center to get a diagnosis for your upper and middle back pain. As mentioned, T98 chiropractors treat each patient differently to find the problem’s root cause. Here are some of the procedures that the chiropractor may use to help them make a diagnosis.

Collecting the Information

The chiropractor starts by collecting information such as your medical records, previous injuries, and medications. The chiropractor will also ask you about your lifestyle, what your works involve, your exercise routine, and so forth. He may also ask you about your family and whether other family members usually complain about the same problem.

Physical Exam

After gathering the information, the chiropractor will perform a physical exam. During the examination, the chiropractor will look at your spine, pelvis, head, arms, abdomen, and arms. If you were involved in an auto accident, an emergency responder might put a collar around the neck to stabilize your spine.

Testing

The chiropractor may also ask for some tests that help them make the right diagnosis. The tests usually include imaging and neurological tests. Neurological tests usually examine the interaction between your spinal cord and the brain. During the test, the chiropractor may prickle your toes or fingers to see how your nerve endings respond.

The imaging tests give the chiropractor a picture of your body structure. The test helps reveal any fracture, muscle damage, or bone degeneration that may cause the pain. The imaging tests include CT scans, X-Ray, MRI scans, and ultrasound.

When You Should See a Chiropractor for Upper and Middle Back Pain

Determining when to visit a chiropractic care center for upper and middle back pain varies from one person to the other. However, here are some of the things that should help you navigate through the process.

If your back pain is not severe and eases quickly, you probably do not need to seek chiropractic treatment. Pain, which does not distract your daily routine and does not come back, is easy to treat at home. In most cases, the pain is due to poor posture, a strained muscle, or fatigue. Putting some ice or heat therapy on the affected area brings fast relief.

However, if you have chronic, upper and lower back pain that gets worse with time or goes away but comes back often; visiting the T98 chiropractic clinic is a wise choice. Failure to get proper treatment will make the pain worse and risks further damage. While there are various chiropractic treatments for upper and middle back pain, you should avoid invasive treatments that involve injections, surgeries, and pain medication.

The chiropractic adjustments are safe and effective in treating back pain. The treatment addresses the root cause, helping you get back on your feet in a short period. Additionally, if you have upper or mid-back trauma, it is imperative to seek chiropractic care as soon as possible.

How Do T98 Chiropractors Help with Upper and Mid Back Pain

Chiropractic care is an excellent way to manage upper and mid back pain. T98 chiropractors provide a safe, non-invasive treatment that addresses the specific root cause, alleviating pain, and swelling faster. T98 chiropractors use chiropractic adjustments, which is a non-addictive and affordable procedure.

The procedure helps to minimize the joint restrictions and misalignment in the spine. It also helps in reducing the swelling, which may lead to low blood circulation. The chiropractor helps in increasing joint mobility and restoring the right posture. The procedures also stimulate your nervous system function and spinal health in general. T98 chiropractors also use other chiropractic therapies to get the musculoskeletal structure back into the right alignment.

Chiropractors deliver a gentle, non-invasive, non-addictive therapy, known as a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body to reduce inflammation and improve both the affected joint and nervous system’s function. By increasing joint mobility and improving your nervous system function and spinal health, your body can better manage symptoms caused by upper back pain.

When you visit the T98 chiropractic clinic, the chiropractor’s primary goal is to relieve pain in any of your muscles, bones, tendons, joints, and ligaments. The professional will check your medical history; perform the necessary examinations and tests to develop a specific diagnosis for your condition.

Main Chiropractic Techniques for Upper and Middle Back Pain

Chiropractors at T98 chiropractic and rehab center mainly use spinal manipulation to tackle the upper and mid back pain. The procedure involves adjustments that help to realign your back into its natural position and boost your nervous system. The readjustment will not only relieve the pain but also reduce any muscle spasms, tightness, and swelling. Below are some of the main techniques used in readjusting the musculoskeletal structure.

Diversified Technique

Diversified technique is the main spinal adjustment procedure utilized on upper and low back pain. The procedure does not require the use of special instruments or tools. Instead, the chiropractor uses his hands with fast, gentle thrusting motions to realign the joints. The procedure also promotes better blood distribution that fosters speedy healing.

Biophysics Techniques

Biophysics techniques focus on restoring a healthy posture. Poor posture is the leading cause of upper and lower back pain in most individuals. Realigning the back eases the pressure on the muscles, bones, and ligaments, relieving tension, spasms and pain. T98 chiropractors may also utilize other diverse chiropractic techniques on the upper and lower back depending on the contributing factor. As we stated previously, each patient’s treatment plan is unique.

The treatment procedure is up to the chiropractor’s sole discretion, and he will decide what works best for you, depending on your condition. After determining the right treatment, the chiropractor may use one or a combination of the above techniques to relieve pain and improve your range of motion. Besides aligning your spine, the chiropractor will also advise you on the proper workstation seats and tables, which will help mitigate future problems.

Why Choose T98 Rehab Chiropractic and Wellness Center?

T98 chiropractic treatment is safe and effective in treating upper and lower back pain. If you are experiencing mild to severe pain in your upper or middle back, be proactive about your health and contact us immediately. Checking into our clinic regularly will prevent the injuries’ worsening and reduce the risk of developing back pain. Our chiropractors will focus on restoring proper function and offering advice on how you can prevent the same from happening again. The professional will also suggest some of the exercises that will help you strengthen your back. Visit us any day from Monday to Friday. We are open from 8:30 AM to 6.00 PM. You can also schedule an appointment on the weekends.

Conclusion

Overall, upper and mid back pain is relatively common, especially for people who work in an office. Sitting for long hours or standing for an extended period causes stress to your back. Sometimes, the pain is mild and requires simple home remedies such as an ice pack or heat massage. However, if the pain does not go away or it is recurrent, you may want to see a chiropractor like Dr. Tran of T98 Rehab and Chiropractic for help. Listen to your body and the symptoms to determine what feels different for you.