“I have upper Back Pain between my shoulders,” says one person. “My upper Back Pain is in my neck,” says another. “I have pain in upper back when swallowing,” says a third person. It is unusual to have pain with swallowing that is related to back muscle pain, and this person will obviously want to see a physician if symptoms persist.

But what causes the more common upper Back Pain?

Upper Back Pain Means Something Is Amiss

Pain is always a warning signal, so you will not want to ignore upper Back Pain. It may be something as simple as muscle strain, or it may signal something more.

Much upper Back Pain is the result of a muscle strain. Your back muscles constantly work to keep your spine aligned and healthy. To do so, they gently tug left, right, up and down. If they are forced to pull too long or too suddenly in one direction or another, they can become strained. This happens most frequently when unexercised muscles lack strength, or when muscles become injured because they are forced to repeat motions (overuse injury).

Causes of Upper Back Pain

The following is a limited list of upper Back Pain causes.

* Prolonged time hunched over a computer keyboard
* Unmanaged stress in workplace or home
* Improper sleeping posture
* Muscle injury caused by sports
* Muscle injury caused by improper exercise

Even wearing clothing that is too tight or too heavy can cause upper Back Pain.

As you can see, common upper Back Pain is usually a result of either muscular irritation or joint dysfunction.

1. Muscular Irritation

Upper Back Pain is frequently caused by irritation of the large muscles that attach your shoulder girdle to your shoulder blades and the back of your rib cage.

TREATMENT: Gentle exercise is a good treatment of upper Back Pain. Massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic or osteopathic treatments are also options. The focus is to stretch and strengthen muscles to relieve present pain and avoid upper Back Pain in the future.

2. Joint Dysfuntion

Upper Back Pain is less frequently caused by improper functioning of the two joints that connect your ribs with your spine in back.

TREATMENT: This upper Back Pain is usually treated by manual manipulation to mobilize the joints. You will want to have this performed by a therapist. Again, gentle exercise is vital.

What Should I Do?

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We always recommend seeing a physician if Back Pain seems unusual or persists more than a few days. Upper Back Pain is no exception.

In rare cases, upper Back Pain may be connected with thoracic disc disease. This condition needs to be diagnosed with x-rays or CAT/MRI scans and medical advice given by a trained professional.

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