However, upper back pain can be just as bothersome.
Since there are useful natural ways to correct it, it is an unnecessary discomfort.
Possible Causes There are various causes for pain in the upper back and shoulders.
It is always a good idea to get it looked at by a professional to rule out serious problems.
When you do, be sure to let them know about any possible events that may have led to it.
One cause of upper back and shoulder pain is poor posture.
Spending hours sitting watching TV or looking at the computer is not natural.
Over time, it causes the shoulders to develop the so-called dowager's hump.
Osteoporosis (brittle bones) is also a common cause.
This is especially true in older people.
This occurs when the bones lose strength, making them more likely to get compression fractures.
The result is often back pain in the upper region.
Herniated discs can press on the muscles, tissues and nerves in the area.
This often leads to pain in the upper back including the shoulders.
Scoliosis is extreme curvature of the spine resulting in an odd sideways "S" shape.
This can cause upper backaches.
It can also make breathing difficult.
Another common cause of upper back pain is improper lifting.
This is common in construction workers, bodybuilders and weightlifters.
Keeping the back straight and using the legs to lift helps prevent this problem.
Sleeping on a bad mattress can cause upper back pain.
If it is not sufficiently supportive it can make posture worse and lead to pain.
No matter what is causing upper back and shoulder pain, there are natural treatment choices.
For most situations, exploring these first makes sense.
Natural Treatments Natural treatments for pain in the upper back aim to provide relief from the pain.
They also work to restore normal movement.
Which ones will work best depends on a number of factors.
These include physical condition, if trauma caused pain and any underlying health issues.
Medications can temporarily relieve pain, but there are reasons to avoid them.
This is true of both over-the-counter painkillers and prescription medications.
The side effects of taking these can be moderate to severe.
Some side effects include nausea, dizziness and vomiting.
More serious side effects are gastric ulcers, kidney damage and drug addiction.
- Natural treatments do not usually have serious side effects.
The following ones are helpful for upper back pain.
They are especially helpful when used within 24 hours to 72 hours after the start of symptoms. - Physical therapy treatments are quite useful.
These include massage, whirlpool baths and applying heat.
Avoid applying heat if there is swelling or redness present. - Gentle exercise and gradual stretching of the muscles is also beneficial.
A nice side effect of exercise is that the muscles become stronger.
This can help prevent future injury. - Acupuncture, chiropractic and other types of alternative medicine can also be beneficial for the treatment of pain in the upper back.
However, if you do, it is good to know that there are natural ways to reduce and even eliminate it.