Back pain can have a serious effect on one's life, when it becomes a chronic condition that prevents an individual from enjoying activities. Unfortunately, upper back muscle pain can be a recurring condition that affects many individuals over the long term. In these situations, it is important to learn how to cope with upper back muscle pain through a variety of methods designed to reduce the discomfort and improve quality of life overall.

Acute or Chronic?

The first step in dealing with upper back muscle pain is to determine whether the problem is acute or chronic in nature. Acute back pain ranges from a sharp pain to a dull ache, and is generally present nearly all the time. This type of back pain may be the result of an injury, but in other cases, no cause for the upper back muscle pain can be found. An individual with acute back pain will usually recover fully within a couple of months.

On the other hand, chronic upper back muscle pain can go on for months or even years in some cases. Chronic back pain may be the result of an injury that occurred long ago or an ongoing cause like poor posture or arthritis. It is this sort of upper back muscle pain that patients will have the most trouble coping with, since chronic pain does not always respond well to standard methods of treatment and the pain may last some time.

Getting a Diagnosis

It is important to talk to a doctor about the cause of the upper back muscle pain, since this professional can offer a diagnosis and treatment options. Because back pain is occasionally a symptom of a more serious medical problem, it is important to rule out other conditions before treating the upper back muscle pain. Once other potential causes are ruled out, the patient and doctor can work together on a pain management plan that will keep the discomfort in check and help the patient deal with a higher quality of life.

Treatment and Support

The most effective treatment for upper back muscle pain that is chronic will be a combination of medication, exercise and physical therapy and emotional support. Chronic pain of any kind can result in depression and other negative feelings which need to be addressed at the same time as physical treatment. Sometimes patients with chronic pain are prescribed an antidepressant that will provide upper back pain relief and treat the depression that accompanies it. Ongoing exercise programs can also keep the pain in check while boosting a patient's mood.

Upper back muscle pain can be a challenging problem if the pain goes on for some time. Fortunately, there are treatment options that can help to keep the pain in check so a patient can enjoy more symptom free days and a higher quality of life.