What Is the Difference Between Upper and Lower Back Pain?
If you are experiencing back pain, it can be easy to categorize any discomfort in that area as just general “back pain.” However, in order to properly diagnose and treat the pain, you need to identify the portion of the spine that is actually affected. There are significant differences between upper back pain and lower back pain. They can have different causes, different levels and types of pain, and different treatments.
If you are experiencing chronic pain in your back, identifying the specific location of the pain will help the diagnostic and treatment process. In this blog post, Dr. Smith goes over the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for upper back pain versus lower back pain.
Upper Back Pain (Thoracic Spine)
Upper back pain (and middle back pain) occurs anywhere from the base of your neck to the bottom of your rib cage. The twelve vertebrae that make up your “thoracic spine” are connected to your ribs. These vertebrae do not move or flex as much as your lower vertebrae, and they support less of your body’s weight and are more protected by your rib cage. As a result, your upper back tends to be less prone to back pain. However, injuries and strain are still possible.
Causes of Upper Back Pain:
- Overuse
- Strain or injury to muscles, ligaments, or discs
- Poor posture
- Automobile accidents
- Fractures
- Osteoarthritis
Symptoms of Upper Back Pain:
- Pain in the upper back
- Pain in the shoulders and neck
- Burning
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Loss of motion
- Fatigue
Treatment Options for Upper Back Pain:
For most people, upper back pain is temporary and can be treated at home with conservative treatments.
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Heating pads
- Ice packs
- Medical massage
- Rest
If you experience an acute injury or your upper back pain persists for longer than a week, you should see a medical professional to rule out more serious issues.
Lower Back Pain (Lumbar Spine)
Lower back pain is the more common type of back pain. The bottom part of your back has five vertebrae that lead from your ribs to your pelvis (lumbar vertebrae). These vertebrae are responsible for supporting most of your body’s weight, providing stability, and allowing movement in your lower body. Aging, overuse, injuries or other conditions can all cause lower back pain.
Causes of Lower Back Pain:
- Bulging or ruptured disks
- Sprains and strains of muscles or ligaments
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Automobile accidents
- Fractures
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing around the spinal cord)
- Scoliosis – an abnormal curvature of the spine
- Illnesses such as kidney stones
Symptoms of Lower Back Pain:
- Sharp or dull and achy pain
- Pain that comes and goes or is persistent
- Pain that radiates down to your buttocks or down the back of your leg
- Stiffness
- Posture problems
- Muscle Spasms
Treatment Options for Lower Back Pain:
- Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or prescription medications can help relieve pain. Muscle relaxers relieve back spasms may also be indicated.
- Physical therapy (PT): PT can help strengthen your muscles to better support your spine. PT can also improve your flexibility and help you prevent future injuries. PT can also help improve your posture and back alignment to reduce current back pain and prevent future pain.
- Hands-on manipulation: Medical massage, osteopathic manipulation or chiropractic adjustments can help with back pain relief and restore function.
- Injections: Lumbar epidural steroid injections can help manage chronic lower back pain.
- Surgery: Some serious lower back injuries and conditions will require surgery to repair.
If you are struggling with pain in your upper or lower back, a Pain Management specialist can help identify the cause of your pain and design a customized treatment plan to help you manage it. At The Pain Smith, we help patients throughout the greater San Antonio area diagnose and manage back pain with personalized treatment plans. Give us a call or you can request a consultation and we’ll discuss your options.