What Causes Pain In Upper Back Rib Area?

Posted on Sat, 14 Mar 2015

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

Sat, 14 Mar 2015 Answered on

Mon, 30 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : This morning I woke up at 4 am with pain in my upper back rib area...not in a specitic spot by sort of wrapped around to sides. It did not hurt more or less with deep breaths. The pressure was similar to when I have ran extra hard and after labored breathing, however I was not out of breath. I do run a few times a week and have not experienced this for serveral years do to work out. I felt slightly nauseous. After getting up and walking around a bit the pain pretty much went away. I have experienced these same symptoms before but usually forget about them later on. But they are now starting to get my attention. Any ideas?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Let us try to find the causative factors and treat them.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
Read and understood your concerns.
To recapitulate: Female / 53 - runs few times a week and do work-outs - the pain woke you up at 4 am - upper back rib area - did not hurt with deep breathes - sort of wrapped around to sides - as if ran extra hard - not out of breath - slight nausea - pain went away after getting up and walking around a bit - past history of similar problems -

From an elucidate history, this looks to be a local problem of the muscles and / or ribs and the most probable causes are as follows:
- Myalgia due to stress and strain like one gets in repetitive stress injury (mild in your case, hence comes off and on).
- Possibility of irregularity in your bed where this part rests.
- Faulty sitting postures at work and / or home.
- Stress and / or anxiety.
I would advise you the following:
Get a clinical evaluation and actual examination done by a Doctor / Orthopedic Surgeon. Do the investigations if felt to be required by your treating Doctor.
Try to find out the cause as I have mentioned a few points above, rectify these and you may be alright for ever. This may not need any medicines then.
Anti-inflammatory medicines of thought necessary, you Doctor would advise.
Control of the stress or anxiety.

I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis, and get a proper further treatment. Please feel free to ask for more or if you need further clarifications if you feel there is a gap of communication.

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