Upper Back Aches
All About Upper Back Aches And Soreness.
By Jarrett Kruse
Both work and play are likely to cause back aches, and a number of activities aggravate the upper back. Upper back aches are common among office workers and rivers or anyone else who has to maintain the same position for long periods of time. Most of us treat our upper back ache symptoms with common remedies: heat, ice, rest, stretching, chiropractic, medication, or acupuncture. But back aches that persist merit a further look at back pain causes and treatments. Upper back ache treatment may be similar to that for lower back pain, and similar medication may be prescribed. Anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce swelling and inflammation that cause back pain and muscle relaxers can ease pain by reducing tightness and muscle spasms.
Most of us are familiar with upper back aches, particularly if we sit at a desk all day. We usually have our favored treatments: heat or ice, rest, acupuncture, chiropractics, or medication—both prescription and over the counter. Causes include repetitive stress and poor posture as well as more serious conditions, such as disc and spinal disease. As painful as they are, most backaches go away within a few days. If yours doesn’t, see your doctor for a diagnosis. Even more complicated conditions usually clear up in a few weeks, under the care of a medical professional. If not, your provider may prescribe other treatment. You can do a number of things, however, to avoid, lessen, or treat upper back aches, including:
- Stretch when you wake up and throughout the day. Move your muscles slowly in the opposite way from whatever produces stress.
- Get up and move. If you have a sedentary job, be conscious about taking breaks and moving around. Do it at least hourly.
- Get medical attention for persistent pain. Pain that does not subside or radiates down the arm or involves the neck merits further attention.
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