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Upper Back Pain Types

Upper back pain can manifest as different types of discomfort and is as varied as its causes. The symptom that typically receives the most attention is chronic, local back soreness, but pain that radiates along a nerve to other parts of the torso can also be traced to problems in the upper back. And while these symptoms may present differently, they share a common origin: nerve compression.

The Role of Spinal Nerves

The brain sends and receives sensory and motor signals throughout the body by way of the spinal cord and a complicated infrastructure of nerves and neurons. To facilitate this flow of information, nerves branch off the spinal cord in the spinal canal, travel through canals in the vertebrae (called foramina) and then extend into the body. However, if these nerves are interfered with or become compressed, a signal is sent to the brain and painful symptoms follow. The various upper back pain types present based on the specific compressed nerve. For example, compression of the ulnar nerve (located between the cervical spine in the neck and the thoracic spine in the middle back) can lead to pain that radiates from the spine through the shoulders, down the arms, across the elbows, and into the fingertips.

Upper Back Pain Symptoms

Some of the most common upper back pain symptoms of this nerve compression include:?

• Pain, stiffness, and soreness in the back at the site of the compression
• Traveling pain that radiates in the shoulders, ribs, arms, hands, muscles, abdomen,?or anywhere else in the upper body
• Unexpected muscle weakness in the shoulders or elbows
• Numbness or a tingling sensation in the hands and fingers
• Loss of motor function or reflex

Upper Back Pain Treatment

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, the first step toward pain relief is to visit your doctor. In most instances, your pain can be sufficiently managed with conservative, non-surgical upper back pain treatment. In the event that your pain persists after several months of treatment, contact Laser Spine Institute (LSI) to learn how we treat back and neck pain with minimally invasive, outpatient endoscopic spine surgery. Call today to learn about how to achieve lasting back pain relief and to receive a completely free review of your MRI or CT scan.

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