Understanding and Treating Upper Left Back Pain

Understanding Upper Left Back Pain

Upper left back pain can be annoying and debilitating. The upper back, also known as the thoracic spine, supports the weight of the arms, shoulders, and neck. Straining the muscles or joints in this area can make it painful to move or lift your arms overhead.

What Causes Upper Left Back Pain?

There are several potential causes of upper left back pain:

Muscle strain - Overuse, poor posture, heavy lifting, or sports injuries can strain the muscles in the upper back leading to soreness.
Joint dysfunction - Problems with the joints between vertebrae or ribs can cause localized back pain.
Arthritis - Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis affecting the spine can cause upper back pain.
Pinched nerve - A herniated disc or bone spur may pinch a nerve exiting the spine causing sharp back pain.
Heart attack - cardiac issues like angina can sometimes manifest as upper back pain, usually along with other symptoms.
Lung issues - Inflammation or infections in the lung, like pneumonia, can refer pain to the upper back.
Pancreatitis - Inflammation of the pancreas can also cause upper back pain, usually along with abdominal pain.

Common Areas for Upper Left Back Pain

Depending on the underlying cause, upper left back pain may occur in some key areas:

Left side of thoracic spine - Muscle or joint dysfunction along the spine itself leads to localized back pain.
Inside left shoulder blade - The scapula and surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments are common sources of pain.
Under left shoulder blade - Issues with organs underneath like the pancreas, spleen, lungs, or heart can refer pain to this area.
Between shoulder blades - The thoracic spine with its discs, nerves, and small joints may be affected.

Diagnosing the Cause of Upper Left Back Pain

Seeing a doctor is important to determine the underlying reason for upper left back soreness. After discussing your medical history and performing a physical exam, the doctor may recommend:

Imaging tests - X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans check for problems with bones, discs, muscles, or organs.
Blood tests - Blood work can diagnosis infections, arthritis, or issues like pancreatitis.
Nerve tests - Electromyography can determine if nerves are being compressed or pinched.
Cardiac testing - Electrocardiograms and cardiac stress testing screens for heart issues.

When to See a Doctor

You should make an appointment with your doctor if you have:

Unexplained upper back pain
Injury or trauma to the upper back
Back pain with fever, chills, abdominal pain
Pain, numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
Back pain with difficulty breathing or chest pain
Progressive worsening of upper back pain
Back pain that persists for more than a week

Seeking prompt medical care can lead to earlier treatment of bothersome back pain and help identify any serious medical conditions that may be causing your symptoms.

Treating Upper Left Back Pain

Treatment options for upper left back pain depend on the diagnosed cause but may include:

Medications

Over-the-counter pain relievers like NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) or acetaminophen can help reduce back pain and inflammation. Muscle relaxants may also ease painful muscle spasms. Stronger prescription medications may be prescribed for more severe back injuries or arthritis.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy focuses on stretching, strengthening, and stabilizing the upper back through exercises tailored to your condition. This helps improve mobility and function while also alleviating pain.

Injections

Corticosteroid injections can reduce inflammation around spinal joints, nerves, or connective tissue causing upper back pain. In some cases numbing medications or lubricants may also be injected.

Massage

Therapeutic massage loosens tight back muscles that may be contributing to painful spasms. A licensed massage therapist can target trigger points causing upper back pain.

Surgery

If conservative treatments fail, surgery like spinal fusion or decompression may be an option for certain causes of ongoing upper back pain like pinched nerves, fractures, stenosis, or instability.

Preventing Upper Left Back Soreness

You can help avoid upper left back pain flares by:

Maintaining good posture and ergonomics at work and home
Stretching the back properly before exercise or strenuous activity
Strengthening core stability muscles that support the thoracic spine
Using proper lifting technique - avoid twisting, bend knees, hold loads close
Managing weight to reduce strain on upper back muscles and joints
Not smoking and minimizing repetitive stress on the thoracic spine
Treating underlying medical conditions that can contribute to back pain like arthritis

Listening to warning signs from your body and addressing upper back pain early can help recovery and prevent recurrent or chronic pain issues.

FAQs

What is the most common cause of upper left back pain?

The most common cause of upper left back soreness is muscle strain or tension from overuse of those muscles, poor posture, heavy lifting, injury, or lack of conditioning. Upper back muscle knots and spasms can press on nerves causing localized back pain.

When is upper back pain serious?

Seek prompt medical evaluation for upper left back pain accompanied by symptoms like chest pain, trouble breathing, abdominal pain, fever, weakness, or numbness and tingling in the arms. These warning signs may indicate a lung infection, spinal injury, pancreatitis, or heart issues requiring rapid diagnosis and care.

Can gas cause left upper back pain?

Yes, trapped gas from digestive issues can cause temporary upper back discomfort. Gas may press upward against the spleen, stomach, diaphragm, or base of the lungs. Gas pains typically feel sharp at first then evolve into a dull ache.

Why do I feel upper back pain when breathing?

Pain with deep breaths can stem from rib or chest muscle strains. Severe upper back pain when inhaling may also signal serious medical issues like a blood clot in the lung, collapsed lung, fractured vertebra, heart attack, or pancreatic inflammation if accompanied by abdominal pain.

Can poor posture lead to left upper back and shoulder pain?

Yes, slumping forward or hunching over a desk or phone for prolonged periods puts excessive strain on the upper back and shoulders. This commonly causes irritation, muscle tightness, and eventually pain. Improving posture decreases demands on those areas providing relief.

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.