Upper spine pain is most commonly caused by tension in the muscles. For many people, sitting at an office desk in front of a computer is a daily way of life, but this is also a potent means of developing upper back pain, which can often be attributed to the spine. Most pain in the upper spinal area is in fact muscle pain, however. For the most part, performing some upper back pain exercises to achieve relaxation and relief from tension will solve this type of soreness. Exercises that stretch your shoulder blades and neck will usually help, along with a massage or better posture when sitting.
Sitting with rounded shoulders for many hours daily can contribute both to muscle pain and eventually to a herniated disc in the spine. It is important when sitting at the office to make an attempt to sit up straight whenever possible, as this balances the weight of the head in a better way and allows the spine to deal with less pressure, thus also relieving the muscles from working as hard.
However, in some cases upper spine pain is in fact coming from the spine. The most common way is from a herniated disc, commonly called a slipped disc. The spinal disc becomes irritated from holding up too much pressure over a period of time or for a single instant, such as in a very quick movement of the head or an injury to the head. The swollen area by the disk often will press against the spinal nerves, causing sometimes severe pain in the upper back. Herniated discs are relatively easily treated with strong anti-inflammatory medications and some rest. It may be quite painful to sit up if the herniated disc is in the upper spinal area. This is because any time you are holding your head up you are adding pressure to that part of the spine, so it is recommended that you get as much bed rest as possible. With proper treatment and adequate rest, the disc can be feeling better in a couple weeks.
Another way that the spinal cord can feel painful is if there is a tumor. Tumors will have much the same effect as a herniated disc in the sense that they will create extra pressure in the area of the spinal cord and potentially press against sensitive nerve areas. Since tumors may continue to grow even if they are benign, a tumor in the spine is most often surgically removed. This is of course the standard procedure if the tumor is found to be cancerous. Because of the risk of cancerous tumors, it is important to make sure that severe upper spine pain or recurring pain is checked by a doctor so that a tumor can be discovered and tested as quickly as possible. However it begins, a tumor can be very painful, and because of this people tend to realize quickly that they have a problem. In some cases, though, upper spine pain is slow to start because of tumor placement, so it is important to see a doctor quickly.
Whatever the case, if pain persists it is always wise to consult a physician before seeking any form of treatment on your own.
Tips for Finding Back Relief
Some people find Upper spine back relief when they get up and move around more. As simple as that sounds, many of us are now accustomed to sitting in one position for long periods of time while watching television or using a computer. The act of sitting still in one position for long hours can cause stiffness and back pain.
Exercises
By keeping active and doing exercise regularly, you will certainly find upper spine back relief. The act of stretching out the muscles in the upper back and building them up can help you to find the relief that you need from your chronic pain. You will need to start off slowly and build up your muscles, because if you try to do too much too quickly, you may end up injuring your upper back and causing more pain unnecessarily.
Rest
Most of us do not really think about the various ways that we can find upper spine back relief when we are suffering with pain. This is because we are in pain and cannot think straight. For immediate pain relief, one should take over the counter pain relievers and rest. By rest, you should not do any strenuous activities, and instead you should allow your body to recover, especially if you have recently injured your upper back.
You should feel upper back relief if you do not do any strenuous activity, and do not do any heavy lifting. Simply relax for a day or two and allow your back to recover a bit, relieving the pain that you are experiencing. Your back needs some type of rest if you are in pain and you should always listen to what your body is trying to say when you are feeling pain.
Staying in Good Physical Shape
Long-term back relief comes from staying in good physical shape and ensuring that you get regular exercise. Never lift heavy objects or any objects without allowing your legs to do the lifting. You will not feel pain until after you have injured your upper back, so it is really important to prevent injury by proceeding carefully with any type of movement that you do that involves using your back.
Massage Therapy
Some people find that they can get effective pain relief when they use treatments, such as massage therapy. This can help to work out the tightness in the muscles that cause a great deal of pain in the first place. If you have been experiencing pain in your back, it is a good idea to speak to your doctor to see what your options are for pain relief. Chronic pain is pain that is ongoing for longer than two months, and if you are experiencing that, then you need to find relief for it.
