Upper Back Pain without a Known Injury

Question

Dear TAI Experts:

The upper part of my back is in a lot of pain. Feels like the rib region on the outer of both sides. What could this be? I haven’t had any injuries.

Answer

Without doing an examination I’m not able to comment on your specific condition, but I would like to give you the following advice. The upper back has connections to the ribs at the front and back called costovertebral and costosternal joints that may cause pain if out of position. If there has not been any injury to the area as a reason for pain, it may be due to muscle tightness causing a pull on the bone and therefore causing pain. Joint restrictions, such as a joint moving too much or too little may also cause you pain in that region. Do you have pain while breathing? This could indicate involvement of the ribs. As you breathe in, the ribcage expands and the ribs move posteriorly/laterally. I recommend icing if the pain just began to help decrease any possible inflammation to the region. I also recommend visiting a local physical therapist to further evaluate you and assess what might be causing your pain. They would be able to assess whether the pain is due to joint and/or muscle restrictions and would instruct you on exercises to improve mobility/flexibility and decrease your pain. They may also perform various manual therapy techniques (joint mobilization/manipulation and soft tissue mobilization), which can also help improve mobility and pain level

Krista Vigeland PT, DPT