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What Causes Upper Back Pain?

Posted on Mon, 14 Apr 2014

Question: Today I am experiencing a bad pain in my mid upper back that is definitely made worse by movement...it is even sore to the touch on my spine...I had a massage but it didn't help...I have been taking extra strength Tylenol every 8 hours which helps a bit but I am still uncomfortable...also, I have been using ice and heat to no avail...can I take Advil with the Tylenol---or perhaps aspirin? I wrote earlier about discomfort over the past two weeks in chest and back with digestive issues...I did have a stress test, ultrasound of heart and blood work which was all good...now the pain is in back--- should I ask for more testing?

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Description below. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for your query. I suggest you to try back strengthening exercises by extension of the back muscles which can be taught by your Orthopedician or Physiotherapist. This will help to relieve the possible muscle spasm which causes the pain. One must also rule out inflammatory disorders, for which I recommend you to get a X-ray of your spine after consulting with an Orthopedician. MRI can be taken in case you have any nerve compression symptoms or as deemed necessary by your Orthopedician. You can take Advil with the Tylenol for control of pain. You may require stronger pain killer or muscle relaxant which you can take after prescription of your doctor. Eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables, nuts, milk, eggs, pulses and cereals. Drink 1-2 litres of water daily. Do brisk walking exercise for 40 minutes daily. Get 6-8 hours of refreshing sleep daily. I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query. Take care

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar