Although symptoms vary from one person to another, you can expect the following telltale signs of upper back pain.
- Sharp Pain
Usually occurs in one area. The pain feels like a knife cutting through the spot.
- Radiating Pain
In this case, the pain travels along a nerve from the spine to another body part like the chest, arm, or stomach. You’ll experience this pain on one side of the body. The pain may be sharp, dull, occurring continuously, or appearing then disappearing.
- Numbness, Tingling, or Weakness
You can also experience pin-and-needle tingling along your thoracic spine, which is usually an indicator of nerve damage. Additionally, you will feel numb in your upper back and feel weak, making it hard for you to lift heavy objects.
- Stiffness
When stiffness occurs in your upper back, you may experience difficulties in arm movements, making mobility difficult.
- General Discomfort
Pain in your upper back spreads to other areas, such as your neck or shoulders, leading to discomfort in your body.
Severe back pain can affect your daily activities, making it difficult to move your arms and upper torso or sit comfortably. When you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention for diagnosis and treatment.
