Upper Back Pain Causes and How To Get Upper Back Pain Relief

Upper back pain causes can be trauma or sudden injury or impact.  They can also happen from back strain or poor posture.  Upper back pain can be caused by working at a computer most of the time.  A lot of times, upper back pain occurs with shoulder pain and/or neck pain.  Most upper back pain causes are from one or both of:

• Muscle irritation (myofascial pain)
• Joint dysfunction

Upper Back Pain Causes from Muscular Irritation

Upper back pain caused by muscular irritation affects the large upper back muscles, which are attached to the shoulder ‘girdle’ and scapula (shoulder blade).  They can develop irritation (myofascial pain), which can be painful and difficult to treat.  Like most back pain, upper back pain is due to a lack of conditioning (exercise, stretching, strengthening, strong stomach muscles which support your spine), or overusing the muscles, like repetitive motion (RMI-repetitive motion injury).  If you strain a muscle, have an injury including sports, car accident or other trauma or sudden impact, or improper posture all cause or contribute to this.

Upper Back Pain Causes From Joint Dysfunction

Your ribs connect to the vertebrae in the ‘thoracic spine’ by two joints that connect on each side of the spine.  Dysfunction of these joints can cause upper back pain.  Treatment for this also usually includes manual manipulation as above to help loosen and mobilize the joint and reduce your discomfort.  To get long-term relief, you usually have to have a home exercise program to stretch the spine and shoulders, as well as back strengthening exercises.  Aerobic conditioning is also very helpful in maintaining long-term upper back pain relief. Back pain medicines can also help this, as above, because joint dysfunction can cause inflammation.  Injections like an epidural steroid injection are usually not necessary for this unless they’re local trigger point injections. Some less common upper back pain causes are degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, etc.

How to Get Upper Back Pain Relief

Some of the best ways to get upper back pain relief are manual treatments like:

• Back stretching exercises, back strengthening exercises, active and passive physical therapy
• Chiropractic back pain treatment or osteopathic manipulation
• Massage therapy or
• Acupuncture for back pain

Since the upper back pain relates to large muscles in your shoulder area, most rehab programs include a lot of stretching and strengthening exercises.  A conservative (non-surgical) back pain specialist like an osteopathic doctor/rehab/physical medicine physician or chiropractor would be good to see for upper back pain treatment. If you have a specific area that is tender, the source might be what’s called an “active trigger point”.  Trigger points are usually in a skeletal muscle, and can be worked on by one or more of these treatments:

• Massage therapy
• Acupuncture
• Trigger point injections with a local anesthetic like Lidocaine

Back pain medication can also help, since muscle irritation usually includes some type of inflammation.  Anti-inflammatory medicine like Ibuprofen can help reduce the inflammation. *ALWAYS consult with your physician to determine your back pain cause and treatment plan so you don’t cause more damage.

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Back Pain Belts: Magnetic Back Support, a TENS Unit for Back Pain, Pelvic Support Belts and Back Braces for Back Pain

There are many types of back pain belts available to help relieve back pain.  I’m going to review a few of these here, including magnetic back support, using a TENS unit for back pain, pelvic support belts, back braces for back pain and pregnancy support belts.  Back pain belts provide relief by 1) providing stomach and/or back support and 2) providing pain relief using magnetic, electrical, heat, massage and other types of back pain therapy and support.

Some of these belts are “medical devices”, which means that they have been approved as a medical device by the FDA.  Your results will be determined by the type of back pain you have, so you need to research them some, and I would make sure that you can return it if it doesn’t help you.  You should always consult with your doctor about this.  They may have suggestions for specific back pain belts for your condition.

Magnetic Back Supports, TENS Units for Back Pain, Pelvic Support Belts, Back Braces for Back Pain and Maternity Support Belts

Magnetic back support therapy helps improve blood circulation and blood oxygen levels, which help natural healing.  It supports your back, and can help with back pain, lower back pain, sciatica, arthritis, rheumatism, herniated disc pain, and relieve muscle tension and fatigue.

Using a TENS unit for back pain (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator) works by sending electrical pulses to the affected muscles and nerves, preventing pain signals from reaching the brain.  It helps your body naturally produce higher levels of its own natural pain killer called “endorphins”.  I have one since a car accident years ago, and will still use it when I need to.  It’s been wonderful.

Pelvic Support Belts help manage low back pain or pelvic joint pain from sitting, standing, bending, lifting and twisting, or sleeping.  It helps give extra support and stability if you’re recovering from a mild to moderate back injury, pelvic joint pain (sacroiliac), helps prevent re-injury, chronic pain and night time pain.  It helps your posture, which is key, as well as improving endurance.

Back braces for back pain were developed to help correct posture (I always emphasize this) and engage and support the muscles in your back so it’s strengthened.  There are also shoulder back braces available, which help hold your shoulders back and spine straight, also improving posture and aligning your spine.  Back braces help strengthen your core muscles (stomach), which helps support your spine.  They help “condition” you to have proper posture for your back.

Maternity support belts help reduce lower back pain, pressure on the bladder, varicosities and swelling, and improve circulation to the pelvic area.  They can help prevent or reduce pre-term contractions, and provide more comfort during exercise.  The type of maternity support belt you need depends on your specific need, to ‘lift’ your belly to relieve pressure, laxity, a pelvic wrap, over-the-shoulder support, etc.

All back pain belts should help provide proper support, treatment, posture and movement.  They’re one of many back pain relief products you can use to help relieve or eliminate your back pain cause, whether temporary or long-term (chronic) back pain.

Other web posts related to back pain belts:

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Back Pain Causes: What Can Cause Back Pain and What Can Back Pain Cause?

Your back is comprised of over 30 muscles, many ligaments, joints, discs and 33 vertebrae.  So , you can see how easy it is to cause back pain.  I’ve talked about many back pain causes, but will give a brief overview of the most common back pain causes, then will review some other issues that back pain can cause.  Some of the most common back pain causes include:

• Muscular strain, lumbar muscle strain or muscle spasm caused by a sudden or awkward movement, fall or other impact, over-straining your back, lifting bulky or heavy items, awkward angles, pushing, pulling, lifting, twisting, or trauma.  This causes inflammation or injury including possible tearing.  Ligament sprains are common when the back is stretched beyond its capacity.  These commonly occur with muscle strains.

• Herniated discs are caused by compression of the spinal nerves.  They result from repetitive motion like machine operators or truck drivers, or unaccustomed heavy loading on the back.  Proper lifting is Very Important.  Sciatica is a common form of a herniated disc or “radicular” back pain, along the nerve(s).

• Osteoporosis is a common cause of back pain, particularly in women and when you’re older.  It affects the spinal joints. It’s referred to as a “degenerative joint disease”.  It can get worse the longer it goes when bearing weight or walking.  Surgery is sometimes needed for this.

• Spinal Stenosis is another back pain cause, also more common in people over 50.  It’s a narrowing of the spinal canal and includes thickening of ligaments, bone spurs, and enlarged joints (cartilate) from arthritis-type changes.  It also gets worse with longer periods of bearing weight or walking, and may need surgery.

• Fibromyalgia is another common cause of chronic back pain and chronic lower back pain.  It’s rheumatic which includes soft tissue pain, sleep interruptions, and widespread, evenly-distributed tenderness.

• Other common causes of back pain are: #1 Poor Posture, standing, sitting or hunching, bending too long, constipation, gas, stress, kidney stones or infections, dehydration, smoking or even eating the wrong foods (sugar, processed foods).  Eat more raw, organic types of foods.

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Lower Back Pain Exercises Including Stretches for Lower Back Pain

Chronic lower back pain is one of the most prevalent health issues in our country.  Your back pain causes and symptoms are wide-ranging, and can be hard to diagnose.  But, as many back pain causes and symptoms there are, there are also many back pain remedies.  Being a prior chronic back pain sufferer, I can tell you that lower back pain exercises are one of the most important things to do to strengthen, stretch and condition your back to reduce pain and possibility of injury or re-injury, but you have to do them right.  I’ll briefly review some of the most beneficial back strengthening exercises and stretches for lower back pain that I’ve found.  You really need to exercise for lower back pain if you want to be proactive in getting rid of it.

Stretches for Lower Back Pain

One of the most important things you can do for your back health is to regularly stretch your back.  This includes stretches for lower back pain.  It helps keep your muscles and ligaments flexible, and reduces strain on joints.  It improves your circulation, pumping the needed nutrients throughout your body.  Without it, you’ll get stiffness, limited movement and pain.  It’s essential to stretch before and after vigorous physical activities or sports to avoid injuries, muscle strain and soreness.  To get the most benefit, you need to do it properly.  Here are some helpful tips when doing stretches for lower back pain:

• If you can, start at the neck and work each muscle group down your body. This way you’re using muscles that are already stretched as you go
• Stretch Gently and Slowly only until you feel Mild tension
• Don’t bounce.  Hold your stretch 10-20 seconds
• Don’t hold your breath.  Inhale deeply before you stretch, and exhale during the stretch
• Stretch for the same amount of time on each body part, doing 3-5 stretches is fine.  You can increase repetition as you progress
• Alternate sides and muscle groups

Stretching first thing in the morning also helps pump blood throughout your system, giving you increased energy for the day.  You should do stretches for lower back pain at least 2-3 times a week up to daily to reduce your lower back pain.

Exercise for Lower Back Pain

Proper stretching and exercise for lower back pain is crucial if you want to get rid of the pain and improve the quality of your life.  Here’s one exercise for lower back pain that is very helpful.  Some exercises that can help reduce or prevent lower back pain are:

• Aerobic exercises
• Back strengthening exercises
• Back stretching exercises

Some exercises can make your back pain worse, so avoid them:

• Straight leg sit ups
• Bent leg sit ups or partial situps when you have acute back pain
• Lifting both legs laying on your back
• Lifting heavy weights above your waist
• Touching your toes while standing

Here are some good resources for lower back pain exercises and stretches for lower back pain.  I can tell you from personal experience that if you want to get rid of your back pain (consult your doctor first*), you really need to exercise and stretch and strengthen your back muscles:

Back Strengthening Exercises

Lower Back Pain Exercises

Stretches for Lower Back Pain

If you’d like a copy of the “Low Back Pain Exercises” pdf, just let me know or sign up for the newsletter and email me.  I’d be happy to send it to you.

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Back Pain Equipment to Help You Lose the Back Pain

Back pain equipment and products include a wide variety of back pain relief products and back support like cushions, mattresses and pillows, stretching and back inversion therapy, strengthening, massage, exercise and fitness products, as well as media including books, dvds, etc.  

There are topical pain relief sprays, creams, etc. for temporary back pain relief, back pain equipment like back braces and core strengthening supports, posture corrective braces and orthopedic seat cushions.  There are electrical muscle stimulators like the TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator) unit, magnetic pain relief, body cleansing and detoxification products, pads and shoes for orthotics and orthopedics, as well as back support bras, back pain relief chairs and ergonomic kneel chairs, back inversion tables, back exercise equipment and other assistive back pain devices.  

Other back pain equipment and products include lumbar support pillows and other orthopedic back support products like adjustable beds and memory foam mattresses, as well as natural back pain relief herbs, nutritional supplements and vitamins.

Back Pain Products to Lose the Back Pain

Back pain products can help you with upper or lower back pain temporarily, assist you with stretching and back strengthening exercises to reduce back pain and increase muscle tone and fitness to eliminate back pain and reduce injury.  

You can lose the back pain by learning more about back pain causes and symptoms, muscle imbalances, and what you can do to strengthen your back and minimize damage and injuries, treating the symptoms, cause and condition.  There are good quality and reputable back pain products available to help you do this.

Back Decompression Therapy

Back decompression therapy helps as a bulging disc treatment, herniated disc treatment and spinal stenosis treatment, because it helps separate the vertebrae to relieve pressure, helps stretching to reduce back and neck pain, reverses the negative effects on your body from gravity including circulation, height loss, body functions and prolapsed organs.  It helps flexibility in the spine and joints and hydrates spinal discs, relaxes muscles, reduces tension and stress and improves ligament movement and overall health.  To learn more about back pain equipment available, feel free to visit my back pain relief products page.

There are a lot of options available in back pain equipment like back decompression therapy and other back pain products, but you want to make sure you know your back pain cause to make sure it will help rather than hurt, and will help relieve your back pain symptoms, whether temporarily or toward long-term lasting back pain relief to help you lose the back pain.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  I’d be happy to help you find what would be best for you.

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