Expert reviewer, Dr Sundeept Bhalara, Consultant Rheumatologist and Physician Show
It’s possible to get upper back pain or middle back pain, as well as in your lower back. This is called thoracic back pain. It’s rarer than lower back pain, but still very common. You may have pain between your shoulder blades or anywhere between your neck and your waist. About your backIt can help to know more about how your back is constructed. Your back has many connected parts, including bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, nerves and tendons. Your spine supports your back. It’s made up of 24 separate bones called vertebrae that are stacked on top of one another. Below these are the bones of your sacrum and coccyx, which are at the bottom of your spine. Between the vertebrae are discs that act as shock absorbers and allow your spine to bend. Your spinal cord passes through the vertebrae. It carries nerve signals between your brain and the rest of your body. The spinal cord ends in your lower back as a bundle of nerves. This is called the cauda equina (Latin for ‘horse’s tail’, which it was thought to resemble). Causes of upper back painThere are lots of potential causes of upper back pain. Sometimes you can get pain with no known cause. Back pain that doesn’t have a clear or known cause is called non-specific back pain. This is often due to irritation in the muscles and soft tissues in your back. Upper back pain is often caused by having poor posture for a long time. Good posture means standing tall and straight with your shoulders back and down. Keep your head level – try not to tilt it. Your ears, shoulders, hips and ankles should all be in one line. Other causes of upper back pain include:
Upper back pain can also be caused by some more serious conditions, such as:
Symptoms of upper back painSymptoms can vary from person to person and depend on what’s causing the pain. The pain can be mild or more severe. You might have sharp pain in one particular spot or a general achiness that comes and goes. Back pain that doesn’t have a clear or known cause is called non-specific back pain. If your back pain is significantly affecting your daily activities or stopping you from getting a good night’s sleep, see your physiotherapist or GP. Diagnosis of upper back painYour doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you. They may then be able to diagnose and explain the cause of your back pain or they may need to refer you for some tests. Upper back pain is often caused by muscle strain, but sometimes there might be a more serious cause. There are particular symptoms your doctor will look for that may indicate this. They call these red flags and they include:
Your doctor will also ask you about the pain to understand how severe it is and what could be causing it. It can also mean a red flag if:
Your doctor may ask if you’ve had any weakness in your legs, or any bladder and bowel problems such as incontinence. This may point towards pressure on the nerves in your spine or spinal cord, which could be caused by a slipped disc or injury. If you have another condition affecting your lungs, oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver or gall bladder, you might have referred pain. This is when a problem elsewhere is causing pain in your upper back. Depending on your symptoms, examination and medical history, your doctor may refer you for further tests. These might include blood tests, X-rays and an MRI scan (a test that uses magnets and radio waves to produce images of the inside of your body). You might also have a DEXA scan, which measures how strong your bones are. Treatment of upper back painIf you have upper back pain, it’s likely to get better by itself without treatment. If it’s not caused by anything serious, it will probably get better within a few weeks. You can try some self-care measures such as improving your posture or putting an ice pack or heat pack on the area that hurts. Make sure you wrap this in a towel and don’t apply it directly to your skin. You can also take over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol as pain relief for upper back pain. Ask your pharmacist for advice. If the pain is caused by a particular condition, your treatment will vary depending on the underlying problem that’s causing the pain. Treatments may include medicines, physiotherapy, injections and manual therapies. Prevention of upper back painThe following tips may help to prevent you from developing upper back pain.
Back pain quizHow much do you know about taking care of your back? Take our short quiz to test your knowledge. Did our information help you?We’d love to hear what you think. Our short survey takes just a few minutes to complete and helps us to keep improving our health information. About our health informationAt Bupa we produce a wealth of free health information for you and your family. This is because we believe that trustworthy information is essential in helping you make better decisions about your health and wellbeing. Our information has been awarded the PIF TICK for trustworthy health information. It also follows the principles of the The Information Standard. Learn more about our editorial team and principles > Why does my back hurt between my shoulder blade and spine?Poor posture, injury, or problems with the spine can all lead to upper back pain. A common cause of pain between the shoulder blades is muscle strain. Treatments for mild upper back pain include stretching exercises and pain relievers. Some cases of pain between the shoulder blades are preventable.
When should I worry about upper back pain between shoulder blades?When should I worry about upper back pain between shoulder blades? Call your doctor immediately if you are experiencing severe upper back pain between the shoulder blades, as it may be signs of a serious medical condition, such as lung disease, heart disease, blood vessel disease, or gallstones.
How do you relieve pain between shoulder blade and spine?Relieving the Pain Under Your Shoulder Blade. Rest your upper back from activity. If your pain worsens when you do certain movements or physical activities, such as household chores or exercise, rest for a day or two. ... . Apply ice and/or heat. ... . Take over-the-counter (OTC) medication. ... . Massage it out. ... . Visit a health care provider.. Why does my upper back hurt near my spine?Pain in the upper back is usually the result of poor posture, muscle overuse, or injury. Treatment may include home remedies, such as rest and gentle exercises, or possibly seeing a physical therapist. The upper back is the area between the base of the neck and the bottom of the ribcage.
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