Pinched Nerve in Upper Back

A pinched nerve may occur in any part of the body when any nerve gets pressed against a structural component like bones, muscles or ligaments that lie in its surroundings. This condition is also known as trapped nerve.

A pinched nerve in upper back region is quite a common occurrence. This is simply because there are so many nerves passing through this area. Besides, it has a complicated support structure that consists of vertebral column, cartilage discs, ligaments, tendons, muscles and bones.

Any kind of problem in its anatomical structure can exert some amount of pressure on the nerves in this region.

A rupture in intervertebral discs is one of the key causes of pinched nerves near vertebral column of the upper back region. When this cartilage disc is disintegrated, then its gel like component is released, which often tends to slip out beyond the normal range of radius of the disc.

The bulging portion of the disintegrated disc then starts putting pressure on the nearby nerve and gives a lot of pain. Osteoarthritis affecting the spine causes a pinched nerve in the upper back in elderly people who are above the age of 55 years. Traumatic injury, formation of bone spur and poor posture are the other leading causes.

The symptoms of a pinched nerve are not just confined to the location where the nerve is being trapped but can be felt in other parts of the body as well. The important features are explained here.

Pain: The intensity of the upper back pain may vary from mild to severe, which depends on the pressure exerted on the nerve. The pain may get radiated from the upper back area to the neck, shoulders, arms and even down to the legs. Sometimes, the pain turns so severe that you find it difficult to move the affected part of the body.

Tingling and numbness: A compressed nerve may not be able to function normally and it may fail to send electrical signals properly to a specific body part. This leads to loss of sensation in that area and you feel as if it has 'fallen asleep'. It may happen to the arms, hands, fingers, legs or feet or any such area, where the affected nerve is supposed to carry the electrical signals.

Other symptoms: Pinched nerves can badly affect the contraction mechanism of the muscles. This results in weakening of the muscles and gives rise to frequent muscle spasms. In rare cases, it may adversely affect other vital functions like bladder control and bowel control. This results in urinary incontinence, difficulty in passing urine, constipation or diarrhea.

A pinched nerve in the back is often diagnosed with the help of symptoms observed in the patient, physical examination, lifestyle and medical history. CT scan or MRI scan is then conducted to understand the severity of the damage caused to the nerve.

The inflammation in the area can be brought down with ice application. The duration of an ice application should be around 15 minutes but it can be repeated several times in a day as and when the painful symptoms show up.

Heat application is equally soothing for the pain. You can take a hot shower to expose the upper back to heat. Some patients find application of cold and heat, alternately, highly effective for the pain induced by pinched nerves. Anti-inflammatory medicines are prescribed to stop severe pain.

Massage therapy is good for releasing the tension from the taut body muscles. If doctors find that a patient has developed a pinched nerve because of an incorrect posture when sitting or standing, then the doctor works with the patient for posture correction.

As the pain subsides, doctors recommend physical therapy. The physical therapist suggests some exercises suitable for the health condition. These exercises strengthen and stretch the back muscles to provide adequate support to the upper back area. These exercises also help to maintain a correct posture.

Some people tend to ignore the problem of pinched nerves in upper back as they assume that the pressure on the affected nerve will ease off on its own. I would like to tell you all that do not be ignorant about this problem. Rather, you should rectify it with proper treatment. If left untreated, the symptoms will intensify further and cause trouble to you. So, on experiencing any of the aforesaid symptoms, consult a doctor at the earliest.