Upper back pain can be concerning sometimes. The discomfort between your shoulders or along your spine may make you worry if you have sore muscles or something more serious. Maybe you are worried about it being a spinal problem. Better understand your pain with this blog. You should know when to visit a Tallahassee spine center.

How to identify muscle strain in the upper back?

A sore upper back due to some heavy lifting is a muscle strain. You might feel:

Aching or tightness in the upper back.

Stiffness when moving your arms or shoulders.

Soreness that gets worse with movement or touching the area.

Blame your muscle strain on your poor posture or muscle overuse. The pain can come quickly or build up over time. However, rest and stretches are all you need to deal with this situation. 

Spot your spinal issues and consult a Tallahassee chiropractor

Pain coming from the spine itself is a bit different. You feel more than just muscle soreness.  

Sharp pain

The pain comes in sharp bursts because of a herniated disc or pinched nerve.

Radiating pain

Nerve related pain can travel to your arms or into your chest.

Numbness or tingling

You feel pins and needles in your arms, shoulders and hands.

Limited mobility

With spinal issues, it is difficult to move your neck, shoulders, or upper back.

What spinal issues need immediate consultation from an upper back pain chiropractor?

You need help from a chiropractor when your spinal issue is more than a muscle ache. The following are the conditions when expert help is necessary. 

1. A herniated disc presses on nearby nerves. You will feel a sharp pain that makes movement difficult.
2. The discs in our spine can wear down with age. It makes your upper back stiff.
3. You feel upper back pain when your spine curves abnormally. It can happen when standing or sitting for long periods.
4. Osteoarthritis is yet another serious concern that makes your upper back stiff.

See a chiropractor for the right treatment if you suspect any of these conditions.

When should I see a top rated chiropractor near me for upper back pain?

As stated above, rest and stretches are enough to take care of muscle strain. But if your pain does not improve after a few days, then you should seek medical help. You should definitely see a doctor if:

1. Your pain lasts longer than a week or gets worse over time.
2. You have numbness or weakness in your arms or hands.
3. You experience sharp, shooting pain. 
4. You have trouble breathing. 
5. You feel chest pain along with your back pain.

Conclusion

The pain in the upper back from muscle strain will go away easily. But if the pain is more intense or comes with other symptoms, then it could be a spinal issue that needs medical attention. Know the difference so that you take the right steps to feel better. To keep your back in good shape after an injury, you should also be aware of Tallahassee personal injury doctor. If you have a sore back that you want to get checked, then consult the experienced doctors at Pragle Chiropractic, Accident and Auto Injury Clinic.