Chiropractic and Upper Back Pain
Upper Back Pain may be the most interesting musculoskeletal problem that doctors deal with.
Interesting???
Yes, interesting. Let me explain:
In my 20+ years as a Chiropractor, I have found that Upper Back Pain is both incredibly common and, unfortunately, incredibly misunderstood. That is, there are literally millions of individuals with “Upper Back Pain” yet their doctors “don’t know what to do about”.
What Causes “Upper Back Pain”?
Honestly, nobody knows for sure what causes Upper Back Pain. However, what “is” known is that there is usually a very tender “spot” that can oftentimes be pinpointed. This “spot” is found between the shoulder blade and the spine. In addition, there is oftentimes “radiating” pain that travels from this “spot” up through the neck to the head and/or across the shoulder and down the arm.
Here’s My Opinion:
Although the exact cause of Upper Back Pain is unknown, I do have an opinion:
Unlike Low Back Pain and Neck Pain, Upper Back Pain usually CANNOT be traced back to a particular problem with the vertebra and discs in the immediate area. That is, while Low Back Pain is usually associated with a problem IN the lower back and Neck Pain is usually associated with a problem IN the neck, Upper Back Pain is NOT, in my opinion, directly related to a problem IN the upper back.
So, What Then IS The Problem?
Having worked with thousands of patients has led me to believe that Upper Back Pain is a result of imbalances between the alignment of the Left Shoulder, Right Shoulder and Head.
Look at the pictures above. In the first picture, we see an example of “Ideal Alignment”. In the second picture we still see “Ideal Alignment” but we also see a triangle that connects, via straight lines, the Left and Right Shoulders with the top of the head. Note that this triangle has a base and two sides, and that both of these sides are of equal length.
In the third picture, we see an example of Improper Alignment. The head is not “centered” but is leaning to the right side. If, in the fourth figure, we were to connect, via straight lines, the Left and Right shoulders with the top of the head, we would once again create a triangle. However, in THIS triangle the two sides would NOT be of equal length (the blue and green lines).
Here’s The Key!!!
Whenever the “sides of the triangle” that connect the Left and Right Shoulders with the top of the head are NOT of equal length - like in Figures 3 and 4 above - there will be an accompanying muscular imbalance.
This imbalance between the Left and Right Shoulders and the top of the head IS, in my opinion, WHAT CAUSES the development of the painful “Spots” between the shoulder blade and the spine (see the BLUE “x” in Figure 4).
Left uncorrected, these painful “Spots” - also known as “Trigger Points” - can begin to cause radiating pain into the neck and/or head. They may also cause pain to radiate into the shoulder area and down the arm.
What Creates This Imbalance?
Understanding that Upper Back Pain is most likely caused by improper alignment between the “triangle” formed by the Left Shoulder, Right Shoulder and the Head is certainly helpful. However, understanding “Why” and “How” these improper alignments develop is of even greater benefit because these answers can then help us CORRECT the problem.
(As a side-note, THIS is why I find Chiropractic Care so incredibly helpful. Traditional medicine would simply “treat” Upper Back Pain with Muscle Relaxors, Pain-Killers, Cortisone shots and/or Anti-Inflammatory medicines. While this may offer some temporary relief, it does NOTHING to help find and correct the CAUSE of the problem. Conversely, Chiropractic Care focuses on discovering the CAUSE of the problem and then CORRECTING the cause by use of safe, natural and effective means.)
Here is, in my opinion, the WHY and HOW behind Upper Back Pain:
As human beings, we are creatures of habit: we cradle the phone with one shoulder/ear more than the other, we carry things on one shoulder more than the other, we use the mouse on the computer with the same hand every day, sleep on the same bad pillow every night, etc.
It is these habits - repeated over and over - that most likely lead to the postural imbalances that cause Upper Back Pain.
Let me emphasize a point here: The main culprit in Upper Back Pain is usually NOT something that we do, but rather it is something that we do OVER AND OVER!!!
In addition, it is important to note that if in the course of one day (as opposed to weeks or months)we find ourselves doing a particular activity - even a fairly simple activity such as painting or bowling - that we haven’t done in awhile, we can wake up the next day with acute Upper Back Pain. Again, this is especially true if it is an activity that we haven’t done in awhile.
Quick Review:
Let’s quickly review what we’ve covered so far:
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• Upper Back Pain (UBP) is very common.
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• There is usually a localized, painful “spot” between the shoulder blade and spine.
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• The pain can radiate from the “spot” to either the neck/head or shoulder/arm.
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• Either the right and/or left side of the back can be affected.
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• The cause is usually postural imbalances between the Shoulders and Head.
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• The postural imbalances are caused by doing the same movement(s) over and over again.
We Know The Cause, Now What’s The Cure?
Hopefully, you can see that the key to overcoming Upper Back Pain is to identify and correct the postural imbalances that exist between the Left Shoulder, Right Shoulder and Head.
How???
Glad you asked :)
You see, THAT is what I do as a Chiropractor. My job is to evaluate (examine) your musculoskeletal system to determine the exact postural imbalances that exist, WHY they exist, and WHAT needs to be done to correct them.
Let me state it another way:
Suppose you came to my office with Upper Back Pain. After evaluating your musculoskeletal system, you should expect me to answer three questions for you:
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1)“What postural imbalance is causing my Upper Back Pain?”
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2)“Why do I have this postural imbalance?”
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3)“How do we correct the postural imbalance?”
Getting Started!!!
In my opinion, Upper Back Pain can be helped. The key is to identify and correct the postural imbalances that are causing the pain.
Call Wendy today to set up an appointment and get started on the road to better health.
