![]() ![]() In some cases, facet joint injections may reduce swelling and relieve pressure on the joints that are causing pain. ![]() For muscle spasm and tension in the mid and upper back, trigger point injections are used to relax the muscles and get them firing correctly again.There are also patches and creams that can be applied to the skin directly to the area of pain. Prescription medications, such as oral anti-inflammatories, nerve blockers, and muscle relaxants can help reduce the severity of the pain.Physical therapy and home exercises that stretch and strengthen the back, shoulder and stomach muscles can increase flexibility and balance.Heat and/or ice therapy can help reduce muscle pain and stiffness as well.Because pain in the thoracic region is often caused by muscle tension and poor posture, initial treatment efforts focus on relieving the tension with stretching, massage, and over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.How is middle and upper back pain treated? Other causes of middle and upper back pain include herniated or degenerated discs or problems with the joints that attach the ribs to the thoracic vertebra. In younger patients, a spine segment or a rib can be out of place and cause pain. In older adults, arthritis in the thoracic facet joints can cause middle and upper back pain, as can compression fractures of the vertebrae due to osteoporosis. Muscle tension is among the most common causes and is often the result of poor posture. There are several reasons people may suffer from thoracic spinal pain. Given its location in the middle of the back, the thoracic spine provides the body with core stability and protects the vital internal organs of the chest, including the heart and lungs. The vertebrae of the thoracic spine (T1-T12) connect to the neck’s cervical vertebrae (C1-C7) and to the lower back’s lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5). But pain in the upper and middle back, known as the thoracic spine, can be just as debilitating as lower back pain. Pain in the lower back seems to grab all the headlines – and with good reason, given that 31 million Americans suffer from lower back pain at some time or another.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |