When individuals are dealing with upper or middle back pain, it is common for them to experience a burning, sharp, or dull pain. They may also experience stiffness or tightness in their muscles. When the problem is severe, they may experience numbness in their arms, legs, belly, or chest. They may even lose control of their bladder or bowel. Individuals who are dealing with upper and middle back pain often visit a Jacksonville spine center with the goal of determining what is causing their pain.
A medical professional will examine the patient. They will be looking for some of the common causes of upper and middle back pain. For example, the individual may be dealing with pain because of an injury to the ligaments, muscles, or discs that support the spine. Other causes of pain could be poor posture, muscle strain, pressure on the spinal nerves, osteoarthritis, myofascial pain, or a fracture.
Before visiting a Jacksonville spine center, some individuals are able to treat mild pain on their own at home. If the problem is not serious, they may be able to rest, use heat and ice, and take over-the-counter pain medicine and experience relief from their pain as their body heals. However, more serious issues need to be diagnosed and treated by a professional.
Professionals may recommend that the individual use physical therapy to deal with their pain. Or they may recommend spinal manipulation or massage. In severe cases, surgery may be needed. However, this is a last resort. The goal is to help the body heal naturally.
