What are Common Causes of Back and Arm Pain?

Back and arm pain may be caused by a combination of causes or be the result of a singular health problem such as disk compression or injury, abnormal tightening of the diaphragm muscle, and over use of the upper back and arm muscles. In most cases, once the problem is isolated, the pain can be eliminated or reduced by simple changes to behavior and, possibly, physical therapy. When vertebrae disk injuries are the culprit, medical intervention will be necessary and may result in surgery or other treatments. This type of pain is most often felt in the upper back region and may manifest in arm pain affecting the bicep and triceps region of the arm.

Disk injury or compression is the most serious back and arm pain cause and should be treated as quickly as possible. In order for this cause to be diagnosed, it is essential to undergo a doctor's exam and any tests deemed necessary, such as x-ray or MRI procedures. The upper back, neck, and arms all share a nerve plexus referred to as the brachial plexus. If a bulging or improperly positioned disk is pressing on the plexus, the patient is likely to feel numbness and pain in the area. While disk problems are the least likely cause of back and arm pain, they are serious and will require medical attention to correct.

Most people do not consider the diaphragm muscle in relation to back and arm pain, but when that muscle is tightening or experiencing spasm, it can create discomfort and pain in the back and arms. Since the diaphragm is essential for breathing, and can not be allowed to rest, it may be necessary to visit a physical therapist for instructions on appropriate breathing techniques that limit stress to the muscle. Over time, the symptoms fade, and the patient is able to go about normal activities, pain free.

The most common cause of back and arm pain is over use or over loading of the muscle group. People who work on computers, in factories, repeating the same motion over and over again as well as those who work out the upper body a great deal are prone to this type of pain. Chiropractic care to reestablish the correct position of the spine and joints and changes to keyboard and chair positioning can help. When the pain is a result of workouts, it is advised to allow the upper back and arm muscle groups more time to rest between heavy lifting sessions. If the symptoms continue, despite the behavioral changes, experts recommend contacting a doctor for advice.