How to Relieve Upper Back and Chest Pain

The chest, back, and torso hold nearly all your vital organs, as well as the support structure for the rest of your body. This combination of areas, and the wide range of conditions that can cause them, makes chest and back pain unique and often difficult to diagnose. Fortunately, it isn’t always an emergency, but it can be a warning sign of serious health problems.

Typically, the upper and middle back (thoracic spine) is where most of the problems arise. These are issues that affect the vertebrae, muscles, ligaments, and ribs in this area. For instance, a muscle strain may result in inflammation in the area. And a pinched nerve, which is when a nerve's ability to send signals between one part of the body and another is impaired, can also cause pain.

Muscle dysfunction in this area can also occur. A muscle strain or tightness can trigger a chain reaction that causes nearby muscles to become painful as they try to compensate for the injured one, which is known as referred pain. And when a muscle is damaged, tendons and ligaments can also get involved.

Sometimes, back pain is actually caused by other things, like a heart attack or pericarditis, which is an infection in the protective lining around your heart. If you experience back pain and chest pain at the same time, along with symptoms such as sweating, dizziness, or trouble breathing, seek immediate medical attention. This is likely a heart problem and could be life-threatening.how to relieve upper back and chest pain