Upper Back and Neck Pain

The neck is made up of 7 vertebrae also known as the cervical spine. These vertebrae allow the neck to have support but also much movement. The first vertebrae allows the head to flex or extend (nod) and the second vertebrae allows for the rotation from side to side (shaking). There are many muscles that surround the neck and help in movements. Neck pain is most often caused by tight muscles in the neck, jaw, head or upper arms. When these muscles get tight they may put pressure on the nerves that run down the spine. This is usually caused from overuse of the neck such as, holding it in one position for a long period of time, or also from sleeping incorrectly. Often people who are involved in motor vehicle accidents suffer from whiplash, which is the fast motion of the head moving forward and back. This type of injury can cause a lot of pain in the neck and can take some time to heal.

Upper back pain is often caused by tight muscles surrounding the base of the neck and upper back. This can be caused from improper posture, inadequate strength as well as stress and tension. The most common place to feel pain is the area between the base of the neck to the shoulders. The muscle that is often responsible is the upper trapezius muscle. Therefore it is very important to have a daily stretching routine and when you begin to feel tension, massage can sometimes help relieve the pain and tightness.

Other injuries involving the neck and upper back are:

• Muscle Strains/Sprains
• Whiplash
• Cervical Disc Injury
• Cervical Radiculapthy
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Repetitive Strain Injuries