While upper back pain may not be as prevalent as lower back pain, it can cause equally debilitating pain. There are methods of avoiding this once you understand the upper back pain causes and reduce the opportunity for the pain to occur. Beyond the advice that if it hurts do not do it, is knowing what muscles affect the upper back and how to strengthen them so they do not hurt when used.

Persons who spend a lot of time sitting at a desk or working on a computer may find they suffer from pain as one of the upper back pain causes is the unusual use of shoulder muscles from being seated and typing for extended periods of time. The same results can be felt by those driving long distances if they are not in a comfortable position. They may also find neck muscles hurting with the pain radiating down into their upper back.

The lower part of the spine, called the lumbar spine and the upper part of the spine, cervical, are designed to allow strength and mobility. The upper back or mid back, also known as the thoracic spine functions to protect the organs inside and typically, it has little motion there is little chance of injury, which might be one of the upper back pain causes.

Rib Cage Allows Very Little Movement

Ribs from their connection to the spine, circle around to the front and connect at the sternum in the front. While they leave enough room for the lungs to expand, they do not allow for motion of this section of the spine. Usually, back and neck muscles are the dominant upper back pain causes.

One of the most common upper back pain causes is poor posture, either when standing or sitting, especially when typing and the hands are at chest level or slightly higher, without proper support for the elbows. Also, if the monitor is too high and the user holds their head partially down while attempting to look upwards, the pain will begin in the neck and radiate into the back.

Before seeking medical help try to adjust the posture while working at a computer terminal and make everything as comfortable as possible. If the pain persist after a day of being in the correct position, seeing a physician or orthopedic specialist can rule out any other upper back pain causes that correct posture will not alleviate.