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What Causes Lower Back Pain And Upper Back Spasms?
Question: Hello I am a 45 year old women who is presenting with lower back pain and upper back spasms I have just had blood work X-ray of lower back and ct of lumber done all came back normal accept some minor disk issues my question is how do I ease the upper back pain it is on either side of the spine and they r like spasm pain and sore I have had the following tests done in august
Ecg Normal
Blood pressure normal
Ct scan for pe normal
Chest X-ray normal
Recently ecg and blood work normal
How do I ease these pains and are they serious I do suffer from costo hindeitis and fybromyalgia
Ecg Normal
Blood pressure normal
Ct scan for pe normal
Chest X-ray normal
Recently ecg and blood work normal
How do I ease these pains and are they serious I do suffer from costo hindeitis and fybromyalgia
Brief Answer:
NSAID and muscle relaxants, physical therapy, unlikely to be serious.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Since the CT scan came back normal you do not have to worry about anything serious. The distribution of the symptoms doesn't indicate something serious like spinal cord damage either, the origin seems more probably to be of a muscular origin.
As for what to do about it, since Tylenol and heat do not work, I would suggest over the counter anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) like Ibuprofen as well as a muscle relaxant like Flexeril for a couple of weeks. Additionally physical therapy is advised.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
NSAID and muscle relaxants, physical therapy, unlikely to be serious.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Since the CT scan came back normal you do not have to worry about anything serious. The distribution of the symptoms doesn't indicate something serious like spinal cord damage either, the origin seems more probably to be of a muscular origin.
As for what to do about it, since Tylenol and heat do not work, I would suggest over the counter anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) like Ibuprofen as well as a muscle relaxant like Flexeril for a couple of weeks. Additionally physical therapy is advised.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So even though I am getting spasms in mid to upper back pain it could be muscle and nothing seriously wrong with my back
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for answering a little late but your follow-up had come just as I had gone to sleep (time difference). Thank you for providing the report.
Looking at the CT scan, as you said there are some chronic mild issues, which while not desirable are common as we age. They are not serious in any way, not in the sense of causing any spinal cord or nerve bundle compression and damage, no fractures, malignant infiltration or vertebral displacement. They can trigger some back pain though, the fact that you suffer from fibromyalgia makes you even more prone for that.
Again, what the report describes is not serious and the type of pain you describe doesn't indicate any such compression as I mentioned which would cause neurological deficits or pain irradiating in the lower limbs.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for answering a little late but your follow-up had come just as I had gone to sleep (time difference). Thank you for providing the report.
Looking at the CT scan, as you said there are some chronic mild issues, which while not desirable are common as we age. They are not serious in any way, not in the sense of causing any spinal cord or nerve bundle compression and damage, no fractures, malignant infiltration or vertebral displacement. They can trigger some back pain though, the fact that you suffer from fibromyalgia makes you even more prone for that.
Again, what the report describes is not serious and the type of pain you describe doesn't indicate any such compression as I mentioned which would cause neurological deficits or pain irradiating in the lower limbs.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi thank you so the upper back pain is what concerns me it hurts near the spin on either side if someone touches it it is sore and if I brace forward it feels tight other tha pysio is message a good option and anything else I can take as I do not take ibprohen
Brief Answer:
Physical therapy and Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine).
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
It's a little unclear why do you not take Ibuprofen, do you have any contraindication or allergic reaction?
Given the description of muscle tenderness and tightness it is very likely for fibromyalgia to be a contributing factor. Physical therapy remains a mainstay of treatment both for spinal related back pain as well as fibromyalgia, so it should be continued.
In terms of medication apart from NSAIDs like Ibuprofen I already mentioned before another option which is Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), a muscle relaxant which should aid with the tenderness and stiffness. So that remains an option if you can't take Ibuprofen.
I hope to have been of help.
Physical therapy and Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine).
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
It's a little unclear why do you not take Ibuprofen, do you have any contraindication or allergic reaction?
Given the description of muscle tenderness and tightness it is very likely for fibromyalgia to be a contributing factor. Physical therapy remains a mainstay of treatment both for spinal related back pain as well as fibromyalgia, so it should be continued.
In terms of medication apart from NSAIDs like Ibuprofen I already mentioned before another option which is Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), a muscle relaxant which should aid with the tenderness and stiffness. So that remains an option if you can't take Ibuprofen.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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