Upper Back & Shoulder

The upper back is the part of the spine where the vertebrae connect to the ribs. Pain in the upper back is often accompanied by stiffness and pain in other areas of the back, neck or chest. Dr. Jahani specialises in neurological chiropractic for back and related complaints and can resolve many of these issues.

Symptoms

Problems in the upper back can lead to various complaints. Most people with upper back issues experience pain between the shoulder blades. However, chest pain or radiating pain into the arms can also result from an upper back problem. The symptoms can sometimes resemble heart complaints, causing considerable worry. Coughing, sneezing and breathing can be painful. The chiropractor can determine whether your complaints are related to a back problem and treat them effectively.

Causes

Back pain can have various causes. Upper back pain usually develops gradually as a result of poor posture (such as sitting slouched at a desk), one-sided use of the arms through repetitive movements (such as ironing), and working frequently with the arms overhead. Occasionally, upper back pain has a sudden cause, such as lifting something too heavy or making a wrong movement.

A misalignment or 'locking' of one or more vertebrae creates tension in the upper back. Nerves become irritated, leading to pain. Even organ problems — such as stomach complaints — can be linked to irritated nerves in the back.

Treatment

The chiropractor will first ask about your back pain and general health, as back pain can be related to other health complaints. A physical examination follows, using various medical methods to determine the source of the pain and assess the mobility and suppleness of all relevant joints. X-rays are sometimes taken.

The chiropractor applies pressure techniques to the spine, aiming to remove blockages and restore normal nerve, muscle and vertebral function. Treatment is usually not painful, but if it is, the chiropractor will let you know in advance.

Prevention is a key focus in neurological chiropractic. The chiropractor may therefore advise regular check-up visits to keep the spine in good condition and prevent complaints from returning or worsening. In addition to pressure techniques, you may be prescribed exercises, and advice on posture and nutrition can also be part of the treatment. Your own effort and commitment play an important role in your recovery.

Prevention

Good posture when standing and sitting helps prevent back complaints. It is also important to move responsibly to avoid overloading or straining yourself. Your chiropractor can advise you on this. Questions such as 'which sport is best for me' and 'what should I be careful about' can all be answered by your chiropractor.