If you experience back pain and chest pain at the same time, then you might be quite alarmed! However, upper back and chest pain together can occur for a number of reasons. Symptoms can differ depending on what is causing your discomfort. Talk to your doctor if you notice back pain first before the chest pain. Whether you have mild back and chest pain or start to notice a sharp, stabbing pain, you will want to keep track of your symptoms to share with your doctor. Marietta chiropractors at AICA Orthopedics can perform a physical examination to determine why you have pain from your back to your chest.

Experiencing Upper Back and Chest Pain

Your upper back is supported by the thoracic spine that runs from the base of your neck to your lower back. Your ribs also protect your chest cavity and vital organs from injury. Because your spine, ribs, and organs like the heart are so close to one another, pain in one area can cause discomfort in other areas. The short answer to “Can a pulled back muscle cause chest pain?” is yes. Here is what it might feel like to have chest and upper back pain at the same time.

Dull, Aching Pain

You might experience a dull, aching pain that occurs on one or both sides of your back and chest. A dull pain can start to bother you if it does not seem to go away. Feeling sore or achy can also make the discomfort worse. Dull, aching pain can linger throughout your day, regardless of movement.

Burning, Sharp Pain

You could also experience a burning, sharp pain along your upper back, along your ribs, and across your chest. A sharp pain can come on suddenly and feel like a burning or stabbing sensation. Burning, sharp pain may get worse with certain movements or body positions.

Muscle Tightness

Tight muscles in your upper back can make pain and discomfort worse. Muscle tightness or stiffness can also extend into the shoulders and impact your arm movements as well. Stiff muscles can make regular movements seem more difficult, like putting on clothes or picking up a child.

Pain While Breathing

Another symptom of upper back and chest pain includes pain while breathing. You might notice an increase in pain and discomfort when you breathe in to take a breath. As your lungs expand while you breathe in, it can aggravate your pain and make it worse.

Tingling & Numbness

In addition to pain and discomfort, you might also start to notice tingling and numbness. Sometimes known as a pins-and-needles sensation, this combination of tingling and numbness can be uncomfortable and extend into your shoulder and arms.

Progressive Pain

It is possible for back pain to occur by itself at first before causing chest pain. Your back and chest pain can also be progressive, which means it gets worse over time. Progressive pain might start out as a dull, aching pain and turn into a sharp, burning sensation with certain movements.

Spreading Pain

Back and chest pain can also spread into other parts of the body. Spreading pain can extend into your neck, causing soreness, stiffness, tingling, and numbness. Back and chest pain can also spread to your shoulder and arm.

What Causes Upper Back and Chest Pain?

Because the chest and upper back are so close to one another in the body, an issue affecting the upper back could impact the chest and vice versa. Experiencing chest pain and back pain at the same time could indicate a musculoskeletal issue like a strained muscle or even a spinal problem affecting both areas. Some causes of upper back and chest pain are not emergencies, while others will require more immediate medical attention. Here are a few examples of what causes upper back and chest pain.

Inflammation

When soft tissues become inflamed, they can cause a sharp or stabbing pain that may get worse while you try to take deep breaths or swallow. Inflammation can also aggravate nearby nerves, which can cause the pain to spread. Nerves send signals out to other parts of the body, so when a nerve becomes inflamed, it can send erroneous messages and pain signals. Inflammation in your muscles can cause tightness and spasms. When your muscles spasm, it can cause pain and discomfort. When muscles that support your upper back and chest are aggravated and inflamed, it can cause pain and discomfort in those areas that may get worse with certain movements.

Muscle Strain

Strained muscles in your lower back can also cause symptoms in your upper back, shoulders, and around to your chest. If you exercised really hard or overexerted yourself while lifting and twisting your upper body, then you might strain those muscles. Repetitive movements with activities or exercises such as rowing can also cause muscle strain. Strained upper back muscles can make certain movements in your everyday life more uncomfortable until the muscles heal. Twisting or turning from side to side can be uncomfortable or even painful along your upper back and chest while those muscles are stiff and tired. Those who don’t follow how to deadlift properly can also cause pain. Additionally, lower back pain can cause chest pain due to the same types of muscle strains.

Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve can occur in the upper back and cause pain in other areas of the body. The spinal column protects the central nervous system, and any injury or issue to the spine can aggravate nearby nerves. When a nerve becomes compressed or pinched, it can lead to a pins and needles sensation. Painful tingling and temporary numbness can occur with a pinched nerve. A pinched nerve can also cause pain to radiate into the chest and even cause muscle spasms. Discomfort from a pinched nerve can restrict movement to help you avoid the pain getting worse.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and can affect many different parts of the body. When the flexible tissues inside your joints, known as cartilage, start to wear down, this can cause significant pain and discomfort. If you have osteoarthritis in your spine, then it can cause your vertebrae to rub against one another, causing bone-on-bone pain. Osteoarthritis in your upper back can cause tenderness, tingling, numbness, and even nearby muscle weakness. General wear and tear on the body as you age is one of the most common reasons why people develop osteoarthritis.

Digestive Issues

Heartburn is a type of digestive issue that can end up causing pain in your chest that radiates into other parts of the body. Heartburn is most common after eating a meal and can cause stomach acid or the contents of your stomach to come back up into your esophagus. Heartburn pain can get worse when you are lying down, leaning forward, or bending over. The gallbladder stores digestive fluids that can harden and turn into gallstones. Along with pain in your abdomen, gallstones can cause extreme discomfort below your breastbone, below your shoulder blades, and in your right shoulder.

Heart Attack

When blood flow to the heart is blocked, it can lead to a heart attack. While heart attack symptoms vary slightly in men and women, both can experience chest pain along with pain in other areas like the upper back. A heart attack can cause chest pain to spread into your neck, along your shoulders, and into your back. It can also cause a feeling of pressure or tightness in your chest, along with shortness of breath. A heart attack can also cause you to feel faint or lightheaded, nauseous, and cold sweats. Women are more likely to experience back pain and jaw pain with a heart attack. If you suspect you are having a heart attack, you should call 911 or seek medical attention immediately.

Heart Conditions

In addition to a heart attack, other heart conditions can cause upper back and chest pain. When your heart is not getting enough blood, it can cause a pain known as angina. Other symptoms that can occur along with angina include weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, sweating, and nausea. When the tissue that lines the heart becomes inflamed, it can cause pericarditis, which causes sudden, sharp chest pain. Pericarditis can cause pain and discomfort in your chest, upper back, and left side of the body, and it may get worse when lying down or breathing deeply.

Lung Conditions

When inflammation in the lungs occurs, it can cause membranes to rub against one another and lead to pain. This type of lung condition is known as pleurisy. Pain with pleurisy can get worse when you try to take a deep breath or cough. It can also cause pain in your shoulders and back. Upper back and chest pain are also symptoms of lung cancer. When a tumor in the lungs puts pressure on the spine, it can make everyday movements like breathing, laughing, or coughing incredibly painful.

Diagnosing Upper Back and Chest Pain

When you visit a doctor for upper back and chest pain, their primary objective is to identify the root cause of your discomfort. If you experience sudden chest pain accompanied by other symptoms indicative of a heart attack or an emergency condition, immediate attention in an emergency room is essential. For other cases, your doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation based on your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors.

Initial Assessment

Your doctor will start by asking about the onset of your pain:

• When did the pain first start?
• Has the pain intensified over time?
• Are there specific movements or activities that exacerbate the pain?

Providing detailed answers can help with the diagnostic process. Be sure to mention any recent injuries, changes in your physical activity, or alterations in any of your daily habits, as these can be crucial clues to what’s causing your chest and back pain at the same time.

Symptom Evaluation

Understanding the full spectrum of your symptoms is so important to a proper diagnosis. Besides upper back and chest pain, report any additional symptoms you might be experiencing, such as shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or lightheadedness, or sweating. These symptoms can help differentiate between musculoskeletal issues and potential cardiac or other systemic problems.

Medical History

A comprehensive review of your medical history, including family medical history, helps identify if you are at higher risk for genetic or hereditary conditions that might be contributing to your pain. Conditions such as heart disease, musculoskeletal disorders, or gastrointestinal issues often have genetic links that can be significant.

Diagnostic Imaging

To get a clearer picture of what might be causing your pain, your doctor may order diagnostic imaging tests. These can include a CT scan or MRI. A CT scan provides detailed cross-sectional images of the body, helping to identify issues in bones, muscles, fat, and organs. Similarly, an MRI offers higher-resolution images of soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and is particularly useful for diagnosing issues with these structures. Both CT scans and MRIs are invaluable in diagnosing complex cases where the cause of pain is not immediately apparent through physical examination and history alone.

Other Diagnostic Tests

In some cases, additional tests might be necessary, such as:

• X-rays: To check for bone fractures or degenerative joint diseases.
• Blood Tests: To detect markers of inflammation or infection.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): To evaluate heart function and rule out cardiac causes of chest pain.

By combining information from your symptoms, medical history, and diagnostic tests, your doctor can develop a comprehensive understanding of your condition and create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.

Treating Upper Back and Chest Pain

For a bad back causing chest pain and back pain at the same time, here are several different types of treatment.

Emergency Treatment

If you suspect you are experiencing a heart attack or suffering from another type of serious injury, seeking emergency treatment is critical. Immediate medical attention is necessary in these situations to stabilize your condition and prevent further complications. Whether it’s a heart attack, car accident injuries, or another urgent health issue, emergency medical professionals are equipped to provide the essential care you need. Your emergency care team will coordinate with the appropriate specialists to ensure you receive comprehensive follow-up care tailored to your specific needs. This continued care is crucial for recovery and for managing any ongoing health concerns resulting from the emergency.

At-Home Remedies

For mild upper back and chest pain, you may try some remedies at home to help alleviate the pain and discomfort. If you pulled a muscle working out too hard or while lifting something too heavy, you might need to rest for a few days so the pain goes away. You might also try over-the-counter medications to help with any pain or inflammation.

Chiropractic Care

Your chiropractor can help identify any misalignments in your spine that are causing pain in your back and other areas of the body. A chiropractor can help relieve pressure on a pinched nerve or help soothe stiff, aching muscles. Chiropractors use gentle and safe hands-on approaches to treatment that resolve your pain and discomfort naturally.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy incorporates stretches and exercises to help you manage pain, regain muscle strength, improve your flexibility, and increase your range of motion. A physical therapist can help you recover after an injury or heart attack. You can also see a physical therapist to learn more about how stretching and exercising can improve your athleticism, stamina, and everyday movements.

Back Pain Causing Chest Pain? Visit AICA Marietta 

If you’re wondering, “Can a pulled back muscle cause chest pain?” then visit AICA Orthopedics in Marietta to find out how our team of multidisciplinary doctors can help. At AICA Orthopedics, we have orthopedic doctors, surgeons, chiropractors, and physical therapists who can help you recover from an injury or manage a health condition. We offer individualized treatment plans that address your specific symptoms and needs so you can get the best results.