What Causes Pain In The Upper Mid Back?

Posted on Wed, 9 Aug 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 9 Aug 2017 Answered on

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Just prior to exercising last night I began to feel pain in the center of my upper back. I took advil and it subsided, I then proceeded to play 3 sets of doubles tennis. I woke up this morning and am still feeling this tightness/pain. Is this potentially the sign of a heart issue? If I take advil and it goes away, at least for awhile, does that mean it is not heart related? Thanks

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that your symptoms are not typical of a cardiac disorder.

The fact that the pain improved by ibuprofen is another argument which excludes a cardiac issue. A musculo-skeletal pain seems to be the most probable cause of your complaints.

So, just relax and don't worry about it!

I would recommend having some rest and avoid straining physical activity in the next days! Correcting your posture is also necessary.

If the pain persists, I would recommend performing a cervico-thoracic column X ray study and a chest X ray study.

Some blood lab tests (complete blood count, PCR, ESR) would help investigate for inflammation.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar