5 Ways To Treat Upper Back Pain

Upper back pain can be troublesome, and sometimes leaves patients feeling like they can’t breathe. Unlike the lower back, it can be nearly impossible to stretch the upper back area to find relief, meaning patients are left looking for alternative treatments and therapies.

Upper back pain can originate in any number of different areas; sometimes upper back pain is a result of injury to the neck and clavicle area. Often people injure themselves through some kind of trauma, such as holding something heavy in the wrong way or taking some kind of hit in the wrong way; the injury itself doesn’t have to be major to cause a substantial amount of pain.

Here are 5 things to consider if you or someone you love suffers from upper back pain:

1. Visit a chiropractor. Chiropractors are skilled at locating specific areas of pain and giving treatments to help alleviate that pain. It will take a course of treatments, maybe as many as 10, before you start feeling relief, but a chiropractor will be able to help you figure out if your upper back pain is tied to other issues.

2. Get a massage. Massage therapists can give you quick relief from upper back pain. Some massage therapists might even be able to diagnose your issue and help you devise a therapy plan to get it corrected.

3. Get physical therapy. Physical therapists can both help you diagnose your issue and offer massage therapy, and will give you techniques you can use to help alleviate your back pain.

4. Exercise. Exercise could help you regain movement and keep upper back pain away, although initially it might not feel all that good. However, most health clubs have a trainer that can help you set up a proper program to help you with your pain issues.

5. Use hot baths, hot tubs or Jacuzzis. There’s nothing wrong with getting some extra comfort while working through your pain. All of these hot soaks will help you relax both your mind and body, expediting your body’s ability to heal itself.