Back and shoulder pain are very common conditions.
Frequently, back and shoulder pain is the result of posture problems originating from hips and feet not being leveled. You are sitting at a desk for hours, or driving on an extended road trip. You unconsciously raise one of your hips in an awkward position, and the opposite shoulder tenses to compensate. In a short time, you may experience back and shoulder pain.

Sometimes, back and shoulder pain results from heavy lifting. Again, your posture may have been out of line. You strained to lift a heavy piece of furniture in order to shampoo your carpet – and you got back and shoulder pain. Or you carried a sleeping child into the house from your car – and the next day you had back and shoulder pain.

For cyclists, the posture problem may be a result of a bike that does not quite fit the body. You easily found a bike that fit your legs, but the reach to the handlebars was too long. Your back muscles tried to compensate for your bike’s deficiency – and you developed upper back and shoulder pain.

Back and shoulder pain may also be caused by carrying heavy backpacks or a heavy handbag. A child dashes out the door, back bowed under a backpack stuffed with books, homework, lunch, etc. Mom shoulders an over-sized, I’ve-got-everything-I-could-possibly-need handbag as she goes from store to store in the mall. Excessive pressure on the shoulders, or an uneven load, may contribute to back and shoulder pain.

What to tell the doctor

You will likely want to have a doctor’s advice about your back and shoulder pain. He or she will examine you to determine the extent of the injury or stress to your back and shoulders. You will want to ask, too, if the condition will improve quickly or not. Expect the doctor to look for and ask about severe spasms and pains, numbness, tingling, weakness, changes in bowel habits, painful urination, leg pains, and other symptoms that might signal a more sever problem. Be sure to tell the doctor any history of spine problems or back weaknesses if you have any.

Treatment for Back and shoulder pain

With your physician’s approval, you can treat upper back and shoulder pain at home with:

• Rest
• Heat
• Cold
• Massage
• OTC medication
• Exercise

1. Rest for upper back and shoulder pain

Rest will give your back and shoulders time to relax. Limit your rest to one or two days, though, so muscles do not weaken or become stiff. Avoid lying flat on your back. Rather, choose a comfortable position on your side, knees bent.

2. Heat for upper back and shoulder pain

Heat will keep your muscles flexible and relaxed. Use a heating pad on a low to medium setting. Apply heat for no more than 30 minutes at a time.

3. Cold for upper back and shoulder pain

Cold, such as ice packs or cold compresses, can reduce swelling caused by muscle inflammation. Apply cold every 10 minutes for two hours.

4. Massage for upper back and shoulder pain

Massage will help the muscles relax and reduce your pain. Have someone gently massage the area, or use an electric massager / massage cushion.

5. OTC medication for upper back and shoulder pain

OTC (over-the-counter) medication should be used in conjunction with other treatment if pain is too severe. Be sure to get your doctor’s advice as to what medication is right for you.

6. Exercise for upper back and shoulder pain

Exercise is important in the treatment of all Back Pain. Check with your doctor first, and then begin regular Back Pain exercises.

Prevention is worth months of cure, so understand your back and shoulder pain, learn the source of the pain, and take steps to avoid it.

Fractures

Left upper Back Pain that relates to a shoulder fracture is readily determined, often by the patient. It is a pain that needs little explanation.

Frozen Shoulder

If your left upper Back Pain is related to a frozen shoulder on the left side, it will likely be a dull, aching pain. The pain will get worse when you try to move the shoulder. In most cases, your left upper Back Pain will be more focused over the outer shoulder area. You will have difficulty moving the shoulder, and it will feel stiff. Even if someone else tries to move the shoulder for you, it will be difficult to move.

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

This left upper Back Pain is due to an inflammation of the left shoulder tendons. They become irritated and swollen. If the tendonitis is in your left shoulder, your left upper Back Pain will hit when you try to move the arm. You will probably feel pain at night, when you lie on the shoulder. Your pain will be worse when brushing your hair or reaching for objects above your head.

Rotator cuff tears

A rotator cuff tear is not an uncommon problem, and can quickly cause both left upper Back Pain and pain in the shoulder itself. A rotator cuff tear can be caused by repetitive use injury, or by falling onto your outstretched hand. If the tear is partial, you will still be able to move your shoulder, but will have pain. If it is a complete tear, you may be unable to move your shoulder as fully as before. The pain is similar to that of rotator cuff tendonitis.

Shoulder Separation

A shoulder separation is usually related to sports activity or a vehicle accident. It most frequently occurs after a fall or a sharp blow to the shoulder’s top. The left upper Back Pain in this case will be focused at the top of your left shoulder. Tenderness or related pain may be felt at the joint between the collarbone and shoulder.

Whatever you believe is causing your left upper Back Pain and shoulder pain, you should seek the advice of a qualified health care provider. The information here is for educational purposes only.

Left Upper Back Pain Is Not Uncommon

When you go to your physician with left upper Back Pain – and I hope you will see a physician for such pain – you will probably be asked about your shoulders. You will be examined for strains, sprains, tears, and inflammation in the shoulder joints.

If you remind your doctor that you are there for left upper Back Pain, you will probably be told that left upper Back Pain is often due to a problem in the complex shoulder joints.

Your Complex Shoulder Joints

Each shoulder joint is made up of:

* 2 bone ends – scapula (shoulder blade) and humerus (upper arm bone)
* rotator cuff – 4 muscles that connect the scapula and humerus
* articular cartilage – a smooth substance that covers the bone – surface where they touch
* bursae (bursa is the singular) – lubricated sacs of tissue that reduce friction as muscles and tendons slide against each other

Left upper Back Pain does not seem so strange when you realize that of all your joints, your complex shoulder joint is most vulnerable to injury. This is because it has the greatest range of motion.

Left upper Back Pain due to shoulder problems may be caused by a variety of things. Some of the more common shoulder conditions include:

* Arthritis
* Bursitis
* Fractures
* Frozen shoulder
* Rotator cuff tendonitis
* Rotator cuff tears
* Shoulder separation
* Shoulder instability

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of left upper Back Pain associated with the shoulders. Degenerative arthritis causes left upper Back Pain as cartilage in the left shoulder “wears out” and allows bones to rub against each other. Degenerative arthritis (Osteoarthritis) usually occurs in people over 50 years of age. Family history often plays a part.

Left upper Back Pain with shoulder involvement can also be a result of bursitis. In bursitis, the bursae become swollen and inflamed. You may feel aching pain and stiffness in the area of the shoulder joint, or a burning left upper Back Pain that surrounds the whole shoulder joint. Your pain will likely be worse during and after activity. The left upper back and shoulder may be stiffer the next day.

In Part 2 of this article, we will look at additional causes of left upper Back Pain involving the shoulders