Upper Back Pain Relief NYC - Dr. Alicia Armitstead

"Untreated thoracic back pain rarely goes away permanently. Many people experience the cessation of pain only to have it return. The recurrence does not mean another injury happened. In most cases, the initial injury remains the cause of the pain."

-Dr. Alicia Armitstead

Chiropractic Thoracic Spine Treatments at the Healing Arts NY Health and Wellness Center in Manhattan NY 10017 and Connecticut

What is Upper Back Pain?

Upper back pain, is any pain or discomfort that occurs in the back that extends from the base of the neck to the center back where the rib cage ends. Based on the location of the pain, people may refer to it as middle back pain.

This area is known as the thoracic spine, and its vital function is protecting the organs in the chest by stabilizing the rib cage. The back pain people experience can come and go and vary in severity. Some people may experience it as a constant discomfort, and others may only feel the pain with specific movements.

Common Causes of Thoracic Spine Pain

Overuse of the back through athletics, housework, or with intense physical activity of any type can cause or aggravate the upper back. Dr. Alicia Armitstead often treats patients with upper back pain following car accidents or other injuries. Even neck-related injuries, like whiplash, may also affect the back.

Pain in the back can happen due to chronic conditions like arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis. Bad posture, particularly spending hours hunched over a desk or devices, may cause upper back pain. Using the wrong pillow and awkward sleeping positions can aggravate the middle and upper back.

Extended events that cause emotional stress can also cause pain. The muscles often remain tense when people experience stress. This can cause chronic discomfort and weaken the back. Smoking increases the risk of back injuries but can affect the upper back more with a frequent smoker's cough.

How Does Chiropractic Treatments for Upper Back Pain Work?

After an evaluation, Dr. Alicia Armitstead will decide on the proper treatment based on the cause of the pain. As a leading Manhattan upper back pain chiropractor, Dr. Armitstead can use spine manipulation techniques to adjust the vertebrae to alleviate pressure, pain, and swelling. Aligning the spine can help the body to regain a normal range of motion and have less strain on the surrounding muscles, nerves, and ligaments.

Patients may need multiple treatment sessions to stop the pain. Recurring appointments help keep the spine aligned to avoid the return of the pain. Dr. Armitstead may also recommend diet changes, exercise plans, and other lifestyle changes. Other suggestions could include treatments like massage therapy or other chiropractic services that work well alongside maintenance adjustments for better overall pain management.

Other suggestions for better back health may include steps like taking more frequent work breaks to perform stretches and to move around to improve circulation. Understanding proper lifting techniques, managing stress, and improving posture may also help.

What Can Happen if Thoracic Pain is Left Untreated?

Untreated thoracic back pain rarely goes away permanently. Many people experience the cessation of pain only to have it return. The recurrence does not mean another injury happened. In most cases, the initial injury remains the cause of the pain. It is common for untreated back injuries to become more of a problem. The pain level may worsen, the area affected increases, and more stiffness will further reduce mobility as this occurs.

Damage to the back could continue until surgery becomes the only solution. Without a diagnosis of the cause of the pain, it is impossible to know if an injury or an illness caused the pain. Ailments that cause upper back pain can include severe health, although rare, concerns like lung cancer. An examination and diagnosis will ensure the patient gets all necessary treatment.

Additional References

• All About Upper Back Pain - Spine Health
• Why Does My Middle and Upper Back Hurt? - WebMD