What's Causing My Stabbing Upper Left Back Pain?

Understanding Stabbing Pain in the Upper Left Back

Experiencing a sudden, sharp and stabbing sensation in the upper back can be alarming. While there are various musculoskeletal and organ-related causes, pain isolated to the upper left back may indicate more serious cardiovascular or lung complications in some cases.

What Does Stabbing Upper Back Pain Feel Like?

Sharp upper back pain often starts abruptly, then fades after a few seconds or minutes. Descriptors like stabbing, piercing, needling or electric aptly characterize the piercing quality. Breathing deeply, twisting, reaching or exertion tends to trigger or exacerbate episodes.

Common Causes

There are many possible explanations for stabbing left upper back pain:

Muscular Strains and Sprains

Upper back muscles like the trapezius and rhomboids that run along the inside edge of the shoulder blade and spine can spasm. Overuse from poor posture, muscle tension, injury or activities like golf, tennis or shoveling leads to microtears and inflammation.

Bulging, Torn or Herniated Discs

Discs cushion the spinal vertebrae but degrade over time. A severely damaged disc pressing on a nerve root sends sharp pain radiating from the upper back into the shoulder and arm.

Pinched Nerves

Enlarged joints or bone spurs narrowing the passage where spinal nerves exit can pinch the nerves. This most commonly occurs in older adults due to arthritis or joint dysfunction.

Myocardial Infarction

A certain type of heart attack caused by a completely blocked artery, called an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), may initially feel like bad indigestion paired with stabbing left shoulder pain that radiates from the chest through to the upper back.

When to Seek Emergency Care

While most common causes of sporadic stabbing pain in the upper back are harmless, certain red flag symptoms paired with the back pain warrant urgent medical care, including:

Acute Shortness of Breath

Difficulty breathing that arises at the same time as the back pain can indicate blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).

Chest Pain

Any chest tightness or pressure, jaw/neck/arm pain or discomfort may signal a heart attack or pulmonary embolism alongside upper back stabbing sensations.

Risk Factors

People at higher risk for cardiovascular issues like smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure should immediately address these red flag symptoms.

Leg Swelling, Redness

Signs of a blood clot like asymmetric calf swelling, tenderness or red/purplish skin require rapid assessment to rule out pulmonary embolism.

Trauma

Recent physical blows or injuries like falling directly on the upper back could indicate fractured bones, lung trauma or organ damage.

Diagnosing Stabbing Upper Back Pain

Doctors determine possible causes of stabbing left upper back pain based on:

Medical History

Information like injury mechanisms, risk factors, recent illnesses or activities helps identify suspects like muscle strain, spinal issues, lung conditions or cardiac causes.

Physical Exam

Assessing pain triggers through movement tests, reproducing the stabbing sensation, listening to the lungs/heart or feeling for muscle spasms helps localize tissue injuries.

X-rays or CT Scans

Imaging from multiple angles detects bone damage like fractures or spinal arthritis. CT imaging provides clearer detail of soft tissues like lung lesions.

MRI Scans

Magnetic imaging without radiation exposure allows inspection of spinal disc and nerve root disorders.

Blood Tests

Cardiac enzyme levels help determine if proteins leaked from damaged heart muscle cells during a heart attack.

Pulmonary Function Tests

Breathing exercises while measuring lung capacity and airflow can identify restrictive problems from fluid/inflammation.

Treatments for Upper Back Stabbing Pain

Specific treatments depend on the diagnosed cause, but may include:

NSAID Medications

Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen reduce soft tissue inflammation causing muscle or disc irritation.

Muscle Relaxants

Prescription medications ease painful muscle tension and spasms.

Steroid Injections

Corticosteroid shots reduce spinal nerve or joint inflammation from damaged discs or bone spurs.

Physical Therapy

Gentle stretching, postural exercises and manual techniques alleviate muscle trigger points. Aerobic activity also aids recovery.

Chiropractic Care

Spinal manipulation can take pressure off pinched nerves, while massage releases muscle knots.

Surgery

Procedures like disectomy, spinal fusion or lung biopsies may be necessary in some instances.

Preventing Recurring Upper Back Stabbing Sensations

Following muscle strain or injury, gently stretch the back while allowing 2-6 weeks for complete soft tissue recovery. Core and posture strengthening exercises help support the spine long-term. Using proper lifting mechanics when working prevents future strains. Managing risk factors like obesity, smoking or high cholesterol reduces chances of cardiovascular events.

Seeking prompt medical care for recurring, unremitting stabbing pain helps obtain accurate diagnosis and prevent complications. Report any red flag symptoms immediately to rule out medical emergencies.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.