Burning Upper Back Pain

Most people experience back pain at some point in their lives. It may or may not be associated with a burning sensation. A burning sensation in the upper back can be caused by a variety of conditions and diseases. Anyone may experience back burning sensation; however, older people are more prone to this condition. If you experience recurring burning or pain in the upper back portion, then consult your doctor to evaluate the underlying cause.

Right from the routine strain to serious underlying causes, upper back pain with a burning sensation can be attributed to many factors. They are:

This is the most common causes of upper back pain. Sitting in the same position for a long time or lifting heavy things may lead to tightening of your back muscles. As a consequence, your back muscles get strained and start inducing pain. Further, a back muscle injury can also lead to this condition.

Pregnancy adds extra weight to a woman's body. This added weight exerts pressure on the back causing back pain, which is sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation. If the woman already has a bad posture, then this pain can be even more severe.

Aging leads to brittleness of joints and bones. This makes the elderly vulnerable to ruptured or herniated disc. Burning pain in the upper back can also be a result of a ruptured disc. Ruptured disc can be experienced on account of sports injury and poor lifting habits, apart from aging.

Medical conditions such as spondylitis, respiratory problem, deep root ganglia, paresthesia, multiple sclerosis, nerve damage, periphiral neuropathy, vitamin deficiencies, kidney infection, or even diabetes can create a painful burning sensation to occur in this region.

An injury to the tissue or nerves located in the back or spinal cord can result in the burning sensation in the upper back region.

The treatment for burning back pain depends on the underlying cause of the pain. A strained back muscle can be treated by applying a hot compress at the affected spot. A nice hot water bath will also provide relief from back pain.

If the pain is due to any underlying medical condition, then that condition has to be treated first. If there are no underlying causes, then NSAIDS (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), or muscle relaxants, and similar medicines can be administered.

For pain emanating from nerve problems, sometimes tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can also be prescribed.

Exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles in your back can help improve your posture and reduce the pain. If exercising is not possible, a good massage will help relieve the burning pain by loosening the back muscles and opening the nerve blockages. Supporting the back with a belt can also help reduce the discomfort. Besides these, you should practice good posture and learn meditation techniques to relieve stress.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.