Upper back pain and chest pain occurring together can be especially concerning because vital organs, such as the heart, may potentially be involved. An understanding of the symptoms, underlying mechanisms, and causes of this type of pain can help differentiate between a commonly occurring condition and a medical emergency.
When upper back and chest pain occur together, the symptoms can vary widely depending on the cause or severity. Some people may experience mild discomfort or tightness while others may have sharp or intense pain. This pain may be one-sided (left or right) or on both sides. Below are potential causes of upper back and chest pain appearing at the same time.
The thoracic spine has 12 nerve roots (T1 to T12) on each side of the spine that branch from the spinal cord and control motor and sensory signals mostly for the upper back, chest, and abdomen. Each thoracic spinal nerve is named for the vertebra above it. For example, the T3 nerve root runs between the T3 vertebra and the T4 vertebra. There are 12 thoracic spinal nerve root pairs (two at each thoracic vertebral level), starting at vertebral level T1-T2 and going down to T12-L1.
The thoracic spine is comprised of 12 vertebrae labeled T1 through T12. The top thoracic vertebra, T1, connects with C7 in the cervical spine above while the bottom thoracic vertebra, T12, connects with L1 in the lumbar spine below. In addition to being connected to adjacent vertebrae, the thoracic vertebrae are also connected to ribs.
The thoracic spine is the longest region of the spine, and by some measures, it is also the most complex. Connecting with the cervical spine above and the lumbar spine below, the thoracic spine runs from the base of the neck down to the abdomen. It is the only spinal region attached to the rib cage.
There are 24 intervertebral discs in the spine. Of those, 12 are located in the thoracic spine. Each thoracic disc sits between two vertebrae to provide cushioning and shock absorption while preventing the vertebrae from grinding against each other. Thoracic discs tend to be thinner than cervical discs and lumbar discs, which may contribute to the thoracic spine’s relative lack of mobility compared to the neck and lower back. Another distinguishing feature of the thoracic discs is that all but the bottom two interface with ribs.
The symptoms of intercostal muscle strain vary and range from debilitating pain to functional limitations in the upper back area.
Symptoms of Intercostal Muscle Strain - The symptoms of intercostal muscle strain may vary slightly, depending on how the injury occurred, and may include: Sudden, severe upper back/rib pain. Upper back pain or pain in the rib cage may be significant and come on suddenly...
An intercostal muscle strain refers to a muscle injury between two or more ribs. The intercostal muscles, commonly referred to as the intercostals, connect the ribs and help make up the chest wall. When these muscles overstretch or tear, they can cause significant pain in the mid and upper back.
You may be able to manage chronic inflammation with medication and diet changes. Some foods, including leafy greens, nuts, and fruit, may help reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation refers to your body’s process of fighting against things that harm it, like infections, injuries, and toxins, in an attempt to heal itself. When something damages your cells, your body releases chemicals that trigger a response from your immune system.
Compared to other regions of the spine, diagnosing upper back pain can be especially complicated because it has more potential sources of pain, including the ribs connecting at each level of the thoracic spine and several internal organs and muscle groups nearby. While it is sometimes impossible to find the exact cause of a person’s upper back pain, the following three-step process is typically followed to narrow down which causes are more likely.
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