Back pain is quite annoying. Contrary to what people tend to think, they are not exclusive to the lower back or cervical areas. The pain can also manifest itself in other areas of the back such as the shoulder blades or shoulder blades as they are popularly known, among other areas. The ailment is equally annoying because, in addition, the pain can radiate to other parts of the body such as the lower part of the back or the arms. In addition, it responds to various factors, although they may vary depending on whether the ailment is concentrated on the right or left side. In oneHOWTO we are going to tell you the main causes of upper back pain on the right side so you know what can happen to you, although it is always recommended that you go to the doctor.
Musculoskeletal causes that produce back pain in the upper right side
Normally, high back pain on the right side is usually related to some musculoskeletal condition or problem because in this area the rib cage is concentrated, there are ribs and there is the sternum and the part of the spine with its 12 vertebrae, in addition to the discs, ligaments and muscles that support it.
In this way, any problem in this part of the body can be the main cause of that pain, although it is not one of the most conflictive areas compared to the lumbar or cervical areas. However, it is possible that annoyances appear (with greater or lesser intensity) for different reasons:
- Postures: an inadequate position when sleeping or when making a gesture, falling or lifting a lot of weight repeatedly are some of the most common causes of this pain, as well as spending many hours in front of the computer, typing and using the mouse, even if you are properly seated, in the case of right-handed people.
- Pressure or pinching of the nerves: in this area, as we have mentioned, there are nerves, ligaments and muscles. Thus, any impingement or contracture on the right side can cause this pain. Normally, in these cases, it tends to radiate to other areas such as the arms, front of the chest, down the rest of the back and, even, is noticeable in the abdomen.
- Herniated disc: it is one of the less common causes because few cases are registered, with little incidence. However, it is not impossible either and it is another possible reason that explains this ailment.
- Vertebrae rupture: the fracture of one of the vertebrae in that area can also explain this pain, which extends to the right side depending on how the break is.
- Stress: states of nervousness and stress, whether prolonged or at a specific moment, are also the cause of this pain, which will be concentrated in the weakest part of the back. If, for example, you have already had a condition in the area or the muscles on the right side are not strong enough, it is common for tensions to accumulate in those weaker parts.
- Arthritis in the joints: This disease also causes pain in the upper back and on the right side if the problem is in that area of the body.
- Osteoporosis: it is another of the diseases that entails pain. If the bones affected by this pathology are located in the upper part of the back, it is normal for it to hurt. Depending on how the vertebrae wear, it will hurt to the right or left side to a greater extent.
- Scoliosis and kyphosis: Scoliosis or deviation of the spine can also cause pain in this area of the back depending on the side to which it has deviated and the pressure it can exert on nerves or muscle ligaments. We must not forget either the kyphosis or abnormal curvature of the back. In these cases, in addition, it is common for a person to bend more to the right side if they are right-handed.
Tumors causing back pain on the right shoulder blade
Another cause of upper back pain on the right side corresponds to the presence of tumors, which do not always have to be related to bones. Obviously, a cancer or tumor in the bones, which is located in that area or has metastasis, will cause this pain. But they are not the only cases. Also the ailment can be experienced with a cancer in the right breast, as well as in the right lung.
Other cancers such as thyroid cancer can also cause pain in that part of the right shoulder blade, as well as others tumors in other more distant areas, like those of the kidney or prostate, because they radiate and make the pain go up the back.
You may also be interested in this other article on How to know if I have cancer.
Internal Organs Causing Right Central Middle Back Pain
As we have mentioned previously, in this part of the body, there is the rib cage, which protects the organs and is responsible for keeping them in place with the help of the muscles.
Sometimes the causes of upper back pain on the right side are not in the muscles or bones, but in the bones themselves. internal organs. And there are different health problems that have among their symptoms pain in this part of the back, either because it radiates or because it passes from one side to the other (for example, from the front to the back).
In these cases, the pain is often caused by:
- Stomach problems: above all, in your mouth or upper part.
- By menstruationInflammation of the uterus can press on a nerve and cause pain in the back.
- For intestinal problems: like constipation. A process similar to that of menstruation would take place.
- Renal problems: especially those that were concentrated in the right kidney, for example due to the presence of stones, among other possibilities, although it could also be due to the appendix because it passes to the liver and radiates from it to the diaphragm.
Lungs and upper back pain on the right side
The lungs are organs that deserve a separate section because they are usually one of the main causes of upper back pain on the right side when possible conditions in the muscles or bones have been ruled out.
In addition to the already mentioned lung cancer, these organs can have other diseases that cause this pain, although not all of them are serious.
- A cold: a simple cold with which you cough very frequently, will cause that pain to appear because it will go from the chest to the rear.
- Infection of the pleura: that is, the membrane that lines the thoracic cavity and the lungs, also remits this type of pain to the right and upper side of the back.
- Pneumonia: this explains this type of pain that would be located on the right side when the inflammation affects more the lung that is on the right side of the human body.
These are the main causes of upper back pain on the right side that we have told you about in oneHOWTO, although we always recommend that you go to a specialist so that they can make an evaluation, detect the cause behind and prescribe a treatment for relieve pain and diagnosed ailment.
This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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