What Causes Upper Back Pain?
Upper back pain is not a very common spinal disorder, but it can cause both discomfort and pain when it happens. Therefore, it is important to know the main causes of upper back pain and how you can treat it. Upper back pain can be caused by either joint dysfunction or muscular irritation caused by an injury.
Poor Posture and Back Pain
One of the leading causes of upper back pain is poor posture. Continuous sitting in a poor posture can cause strain in your back and neck. After some time, the muscles will become reconditioned and weak, making it hard for them to hold the spine in an aligned position. As the head and the shoulders lean forward, there is more pressure on the spine bones, discs, muscles, and tissues. Someone can also strain their back when they drive for long or when they work on their computers leaning on one side for many hours. That can result in the upper back pain.
Improper Lifting Technique Causing Injury
Lifting heavy loads without limit can result in a strained back, leading to upper back pain. When lifting heavy loads, it is important to make sure that the weight is evenly distributed without putting undue stress on the upper back. If you let your load to lean on one side like the right or the left without balancing the weight in the middle, it can cause muscle strain. It is straightforward to injure your spinal cord or have strained muscles, leading to upper back pain by carrying heavy loads o one side. It is also advisable not to lift too heavy loads because that can also lead to bodily injury resulting in upper back pain.
Lower Back Muscles Strained
Spending long hours working hard or lifting heavy can also result in back pain. Overworking causes strain on the muscles, ligaments and can end up causing inflammation in the upper back or lower back muscles. There’s a real risk for lower back pain if you overwork that group of muscles in your back.
Collisions are also a major cause of spinal injuries, which can be a cause of back pains. Collision causes trauma, and that can affect the spine leading to back pains. Sometimes accidents result from a vehicle colliding or people colliding with others during sports. Those collisions may lead to spinal injuries. As a result, one suffers from either upper or lower back pains.
There are also other upper back pain causes that may not be as evident as a collision. Some of them will need to be diagnosed by an experienced back pain specialist doctor. Therefore, it is important to visit a reliable hospital when you experience back pain. If you visit an experienced spinal cord disorder expert, they will determine the cause of the pain if it’s not clear.
What Doctor Should I See for Back Pain?
It is advisable not to ignore any persistent back pain, whether you experience pain in the upper back or left side back pain or any other part of the back. Diagnosing the problem early and getting the right treatment will go a long way in preventing any severe symptoms. When you face back pain, it may be overwhelming to know which of the many doctors you should visit for your problem. Different professionals treat back complications. But each of them is trained and specialized in different practices.
It is important to know the back pain specialists and how they can help you. The first thing you need to do when you experience back problems is to visit a general primary care physician. The professional will conduct an exam to establish some facts about the issue. Depending on the findings, the physician may refer you to a spine specialist. These are the main spinal cord specialists and the kind of spine disorder they treat.
Physiatrist for Pain or Rehabilitation Physician
The physiatrist is also referred to as a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. The expert specializes in non-surgical treatment that helps correct back pain. To establish the extent of the problem, the physiatrist will perform some tests. Imaging diagnostic testing will help in determining the cause of the problem. That is when they can offer a comprehensive treatment plan. Some of the physiatrists specialize in interventional pain management. Others deal with physical rehabilitation, and others deal with both treatment methods.
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon for Back Pain
An Orthopedic spine surgeon specializes in diagnosing and treating spinal complications. Some spinal surgeons specialize in treating certain spinal problems like scoliosis, herniated discs, or degenerative disc disorder. Others specialize in handling a much wider range of spinal issues, and can perform advanced techniques like minimally invasive laser spinal surgery.
Chiropractors Helping with Back Pain
Chiropractors are often one of the most popular caregivers when it comes to back pain. The best chiropractor is the one who is accredited and who holds a board certification on chiropractic treatment. A chiropractor’s work is to focus on the manipulation of the spine for pain relief. They do not use either surgery or medicine. The expert understands the spinal arrangement and realigns it to get pain relief. An expert chiropractor will first establish the cause of the problem through detailed assessment before administering the chiropractic care plan.
Rheumatologists for Back Pain
A Rheumatologist is unlike a chiropractor, since it’s an internal medicine doctor. They are trained and specialize in dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of back problems. They handle rheumatic diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system.
You may not know which of the many specialists you will need right away. The best thing to do is get the initial diagnosis from an established organization. They will help you know which of these specialists will be the right one for you. The best thing when you have back pain is to ensure you choose the right back treatment center, and you will get the help you need.
If you live in Georgia, our specialists at AllSpine Laser and Surgery Center will help you. You will get help not only in diagnosis but also in finding the best treatment for your back pain. We have over 20 years experience in treating back pain with non-surgical orthopedics, pain management, and minimally invasive surgery as well. Call to schedule a consultation or same day appointment.