Acupuncture is a valuable treatment for chronic pain from the head to toes (No 4 upper back pain)

Upper back is the region between the shoulder blades, or between the neck and the waist. This is so called thoracic back pain. The pain is this region is very common. Symptoms can vary from person to person. The pain can be mild or more severe which might affect daily activities and sleep. It could be a sharp pain in one spot or a general achiness that comes and goes. The pain can be referred up to the neck, shoulder, down to the low back and around to the abdomen. There may be other symptoms associated with the pain such as acid reflex, bloating, stomach-ache, tight chest etc. In most of cases, the pain is nonspecific which means the cause is not clear or unknown. Pain in the upper back is usually the result of poor posture, muscle overuse, or injury.

Stooping in a chair over a desk is a good example. This may cause a loss of strength in the muscles. Over time, the weakening of muscles may lead to pain in the area as they experience strains or irritation; the pressure from gravity and the body itself pushes on the spine, neck, discs, and ligaments and can lead to pain and other complications. Overusing back muscles is another common cause of upper back pain. repeating the same motions over time may cause muscle strain, tightness and irritation. A traumatic injury at the upper back can also lead to back pain after the injury is healed.

Acupuncture is a valuable treatment for upper back pain.