Medical expert of the article
New publications
Pain in the upper back
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
When there is pain in the upper back, you need to be careful not to engage in self-medication, because this can be a symptom of a variety of diseases. Need a good diagnosis.
Diseases-provocateurs
These diseases provoke pain in the upper back. It can be localized on the left or on the right.
Diseases of the respiratory system
Pneumothorax (spontaneously arising) - with this disease there is a sharp pain in the chest, and it gives to the scapula to the left or right (in the side of chest pain). When listening to the heart, the doctor does not detect any noise.
Cancer of the bronchi or lungs - in this disease the nature of the pain depends on which side it originated. For example, if the lung is affected - it will hurt in the back area, Penkost syndrome can develop with severe pain in the shoulder, as well as passing to the scapula and giving into the hand on the side where the lung hurts. Pain is worse when coughing, during movements. If the nerve is also affected, the pain can be shrouded.
Pneumonia - the pain with this disease is not very strong, but prolonged. It occurs in the scapula, in the chest on the left or on the right. When you cough, the pain may increase, with deep breathing - too. In addition, a person suffers from wheezing in the lungs, a dry cough, can chill.
Pleurisy - with this disease pain is given to the right or left side of the chest, it is aggravated by movements. The pain is cutting, strong.
Diseases of the digestive system
They can provoke back pain - in the upper or lower part of it.
[Pain in the upper back to the right
It provokes acute cholecystitis. The pain is long, it tortures a person for several days. Most of all worries under the ribs on the right and in the epigastric region. With this disease, pain can give to the right side of the arm, shoulder, hurt under the shoulder blade, over the shoulders, chest on the left. These symptoms are accompanied by nausea, yellowing of the skin, chills, severe pain when palpating and even touching. Abdominal muscles can also be strained and painful.
Pain in the upper back from the left
It can occur with acute pancreatitis, in which the pain is sharp, strong in the chest area on the left, and also in the shoulder from above, in the shoulder blade, the heart (left in the chest), while the abdominal muscles are strained and aching.
Diseases of urinary organs
They also provoke pain in the right or left side of the back or from above. These pains can be accompanied by colic in the kidneys, thrombosis of the arteries of the kidneys, hematoma of the retroperitoneal region, severe unexpected pain in patients who have been treated with anticoagulants.
Also, pain can occur due to spinal cord injuries and peripheral system malfunction. Pain appears on the left in the back or on the right. It is shooting, strong, very often distributed distally.
In all cases, when a person feels pain in the back - regardless, in what part of it - you need to call an ambulance, especially if the pain is acute.