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• Upper Back Muscle Pain

Upper Back Muscle Pain

The problem with upper back muscle pain is that it can have a discernible effect on your quality of life. It can take the form of an annoying, constant ache or leave a person feeling weak. And if you are suffering from pain, your first priority is probably to find pain relief. The good news is that in most cases muscle pain is a result of a minor injury and only requires time to heal. However, muscle pain can also be caused by nerve compression and can take the form of throbbing, tingling, or muscle spasms.

Muscle Innervation

Nerve compression occurs when one of the nerves in your body becomes inflamed or pinched, which can happen a number of ways. In the spinal column, nerve roots branch off the spinal cord and run through narrow canals in the vertebrae before extending into the body. Problems arise if these nerves become irritated by a herniated disc, bone spurs, or any of the other common side effects of wear and tear on the spine. As a result of this compression, pain can be transferred along the nerve’s path, terminating in any of the muscles groups that it innervates.

Conservative Treatment

If you are experiencing upper back pain in the form of throbbing, tingling, or muscle spasms, your doctor may attempt to manage your symptoms with a series of conservative, non-surgical treatments. These can include:

• Anti-inflammatory medication – over-the-counter painkillers are usually sufficient, although stronger medication may be prescribed if your symptoms warrant it.
• Heat – the application of heat to an injury facilitates your blood flow and expedites the healing process. Heat packs, blankets and hot tub therapy can all be helpful.
• Targeted exercise – depending on the type of your muscle pain, your doctor may recommend some specific upper back pain exercises to strengthen your muscles, increase flexibility, and prevent further damage.
• Rest– while you don’t want to become sedentary, limited rest is often all you need to overcome muscle pain.
• Cortisone injections – your doctor may offer a cortisone shot at the location of your muscle pain if your pain is extreme or debilitating.

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Progressive Treatment

If after several months you are still struggling with upper back muscle pain, you may want to consider your other options. Contact Laser Spine Institute (LSI) to learn about our minimally invasive, outpatient procedures and to receive a free review of your MRI or CT scan.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.