According to the National Office of Statistics in 2015 more than 1 million work days were lost in Britain due to back aches, and no wonder with more and more of us hunched over computers in the workplace upper back pain and stiffness has become far more common than lower back pain. Pain can occur from a combination of factors, including injury, poor posture, spinal instability and restrictions, stress and in some cases disc problems.
The upper back is known as the ‘thoracic spine’ consists of 12 vertebrae and the attaching ribs. It is therefore not uncommon that some patients experience pain when taking a deep breath, coughing or sneezing.
Local chiropractor, Lisa Reed from Harbourside Chiropractic Centre in Portishead explains, “One of the best ways to beat back pain is through exercise but it is important to have your spine checked if you suffer from pain in the upper back region, before embarking on exercise. Moderate exercise is certainly beneficial in helping prevent back pain; however, the key is to not overdo it. By over exercising strained areas this puts further stress on the muscles and joints, creating additional nerve irritation and potentially worsening the underlying problem. Pilates can be a great option for those suffering from back pain as it can help to strengthen and train the small and large muscles attached to the spine. Pilates also has the added advantage of helping you focus on your posture and a good posture allows for the optimum distribution of weight through the body so the musculoskeletal system can function at its best and protect against injury.”
“Upper back pain can also be caused by stress, especially when you hold a lot of tension in your lower neck and shoulders. If you experience high levels of stress at work it is important to take a deep breath every so often and gently roll your shoulders back 4 or 5 times to naturally help relieve the tension. This will help relax the muscles and make sure to protect against spasms or cramps”.
Lisa further explains, “The traditional approach to treat upper back pain remains the same regardless of the underlying cause. Since the pain can stem from muscle strain, nervous system irritation or rib join malfunction it is best to be treated with physical therapy and exercise, including chiropractic adjustments. If you see a Chiropractor they will first attempt to identify where the problem stems from and then advise how they can help to improve the underlying problem in order to relieve pain.”
Visit the Harbourside Chiropractic Centre website at www.harbourside-chiropractic-centre.co.uk to learn more about factors affecting the health of you and your family.
For further information or comments, please contact Lisa Reed at Harbourside Chiropractic centre on 01275 390630 or email reception@harbourside-chiropractic-centre.co.uk