Back pain upper right side is a common scenario in the medical history. If you experience Upper Right Side Back Pain in your body, your symptoms can be caused by a number of causes. Overuse, muscle strain, nerve pressure, fracture, or osteoarthritis are also common causes of this musculoskeletal pain.
It is necessary to consult a medical professional to ascertain the exact cause of your condition. He or she should determine the cause of your upper back pain, deduce why it manifests on the right side of your spine, and prescribe the best methods of treatment that can alleviate your symptoms.
Causes of Back Pain Upper Right Side
Pain can be chronic or acute in the upper right back. From sharp and stabbing, to dull and throbbing, the type of pain you experience can also vary. A large variety of conditions cause upper right back pain. As well as the best cure for it, the cause will decide the type of pain you experience.
Overuse, muscle strain, or injury
A twist or a tear in a muscle or tendon is a muscle strain. Muscle strain may result from over-exertion, or repeated movements involving activities such as shoveling snow, leaning over a monitor, or playing sports.
Sudden twisting may also cause this disorder or heavy lifting. An injury ranging from mild to serious in the back can result from a fall, car crash, or sudden impact of any sort. Mild injuries may take the form of strains, sprains, or spasms of the muscles. A stretch or tear in a ligament is a sprain. A sudden contraction in a muscle is a spasm. Additional signs include:
- Decreased range of motion in the shoulder or arm
- Increased pain with shoulder, arm, or back movement
Pressure on the spinal nerves
It is possible to cause herniated discs by lifting heavy objects or fractures, such as whiplash. This disorder is also known as a disc that has slipped or ruptured. Pressure can be exerted on the spinal nerves when a disc in your back ruptures.
When the soft interior of a spinal disk pushes out, bulging through a crack in its outer covering, a herniated disc occurs. In the lower back, herniated discs are most common, but can also occur in the spine, causing upper back pain. They may be more likely to occur in overweight individuals, or in older individuals.
Some herniated disc signs include:
- Arm or shoulder pain that can be exacerbated by sneezing or coughing
- Sensation of tingling
- Insensitivity
- Muscle weakness in the shoulder or arm
Fractures of the Vertebrae
This disease, sometimes referred to as spinal fractures, can be caused by an impact from a fall, sports accident, car crash, or other injuries. Fractures in the vertebrae cause the bones in the spine to crack and probably fragment, allowing the spinal cord or nerves to pinch or puncture. Vertebrae fractures vary from moderate to catastrophic in severity.
The symptoms you have can be dictated by the severity of the injury, in addition to back pain. They can contain:
- Pain in the neck
- Spasms in the muscles
- Deficiency
- Sensation of tingling
- Struggling to raise your arm or arms
- Paralysis
Osteoporosis – A Cause Of Back Pain Upper Right Side
A bone condition that raises the risk of fractures is osteoporosis. People with this condition frequently do not know that they have it until a spinal vertebra compression fracture occurs. Includes symptoms:
- Sudden onset of back pain
- Increased pain while standing or walking
- Height Loss
- Gums receding
- weak hand grip
- Nails that are fragile
Osteoarthritis – A Cause of Back Pain Upper Right Side
The joints of the body are affected by osteoarthritis (OA). Most of the vertebrae of the spine are attached to facet joints, rendering this body region vulnerable to OA.
OA can cause pain in the upper right back, or anywhere along the spine. Sometimes, this disorder is followed by scoliosis. Additional signs include:
- Pain that radiates to the spine, arms, or shoulders
- Deficiency
- Insensitivity
- Cramps in the muscles
- Rigidity
Syndrome of Myofascial Pain (MPS)
MPS causes chronic pain in the muscle-covering connective tissues (fascia) and can occur inside the spine’s intervertebral discs.
Myofascial pain is also caused by acts of repetitive motion. In other parts of the body, it may cause pain deep inside the muscle or referred pain, causing you discomfort. Includes symptoms:
- Tender spot deep in a muscle
- Pain that is constantly aggravating
Stress – Another Cause Of Back Pain Upper Right Side
Back pain may be caused by emotions like fatigue, nervousness, and anxiety. Your body prepares for a fight-or-flight reaction when you feel tension, bracing itself for a big obstacle, even though one is not imminent. This creates tightness in your muscles.
Also, you might have:
- Speedy pulse
- Headaches
- Rapid respiration
- Stomach nervousness
Back Pain Upper Right Side-Rare Causes
- Lung situations. Since your lungs are situated near your upper back, pain in the upper right back can be caused by conditions such as pneumonia or respiratory infections. In this region, lung cancer may also cause pain, especially if it’s metastasized to the spine or chest. When a tumor in your lung presses against your back, you can also experience discomfort. In your upper right back, a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung) can also cause pain.
- Ailments of the Gallbladder. While your gallbladder is not located near your upper back, conditions affecting it can damage your upper right back, such as gallstones. This is defined as the pain mentioned. Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation) is a potentially severe condition that can cause pain in this region as well. Cholecystitis can cause your gallbladder rupture when not treated.
- Infection of the spine. Bacteria, viruses, or fungi may cause infections in the spine. People who have a compromised immune system may be more likely to develop these diseases. As the outcome of a surgical operation, they may also occur. The disks, bones or spinal cord may be damaged by spinal infections. Other symptoms, such as numbness, chills, fever, or tingling, can accompany these types of infections.
Back Pain Upper Right Side under shoulder blade
The rhomboid muscles, located in the center of the shoulder blades, may be affected by muscle strain, sprains, and spasms. In the center of the upper back, this pain is mainly felt but can radiate out to one or both sides.
Pain under or near the shoulder blade will make it difficult to completely rotate your shoulder or shift your arm with a full range of movement. This form of pain, which results from overuse, is also caused by a muscle strain. If you sleep in an unusual spot or have bad posture, it may also happen.
If, with home care, pain in or under the shoulder blade does not dissipate within a few days, it can also signify more severe lung or gallbladder conditions.
Upper right back pain when breathing
When you take a deep breath, the pain in your back will sometimes feel worse. This is because the spine’s vertebrae are attached to the cage of your rib. This is typically not much to think about. But occasionally, a pulmonary embolism may signal this form of pain (blood clot in the lung).
Back Pain Upper Right Side treatment
Back pain is frequently resolved over the course of a few days with at-home care. To get the best result, you might need to combine multiple treatments. They include:
- Medication for OTC pain. Pain drugs can help relieve pain and inflammation, such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Heat and ice. Heat and cold treatment will aid in relaxing back spasms and relieving tightness. Try putting a bottle of hot water on your back, or relaxing in a hot tub. Inflammation, swelling, and discomfort from fracture, sprains, and muscle strain may be helpful for ice packs.
- The workout. A gentle activity can help alleviate pain and discomfort, such as stretching or shoulder rolls.
- Body massage. It can help minimize muscle knots by massaging around the lower neck and shoulder blades.
- Relax. Bed rest, but it should be minimal, can help with acute back pain. Try to relax for a couple of hours at a time, for just one to two days.
Risk Factors for Upper Right Back Pain
A common condition that can happen to everyone is back pain. However, there are many risk factors that may more frequently cause you to experience upper right back pain or chronic back pain. They include:
- Obesity or the access weight will place more pressure on your back
- Poor muscle tone or weak muscles in the back and abdomen may be caused by not working out.
- Age – Age (back pain increases with age)
- Depression or chronic stress
- Incorrect lifting, repeated movement, and bad posture (desk jobs can also be a risk factor)
- Smoking cigarettes decreases blood flow across the spine and reduces injury healing time.
When To See a Physician
Upper-right back pain is frequently treated within a few days with at-home care. See a doctor if it does not begin to improve within a week.
You may also seek medical attention for back pain caused by injury or pain associated with other symptoms, such as problems with your new intestines or bladder, muscle weakness, tingling, numbness, or fever.