Do you experience discomfort in the area between your shoulders? Although you might experience a mild pain but it does increase with activity. But you can keep this problem away by making yoga for upper back pain a part of your daily routine.
Without further ado, let us understand what upper back pain is.
Upper Back Pain – An Overview
Upper back pain is the discomfort you experience in the area between your shoulders. Upper back pain is less common than lower back pain. The reason? Bones in your upper and lower back connect to the ribcage. These are not as mobile as those in your neck or lower back. You can keep this problem away by practicing yoga for upper back daily.
Do you know that upper back pain falls into two categories? The information below will give you the answer.
Types of Upper Back Pain
Given below are the 2 categories in which upper back pain falls into:
1. Joint Dysfunction
Do you experience pain due to joint dysfunction? It is likely to occur due to a sudden injury or degeneration that comes with old age. For example, a joint cartilage or capsule can tear. If you have a weak vertebrae it can be result of a degenerative spinal disc problem.
2. Muscular Irritation
Muscular irritation occurs as the result of overuse of upper back muscles or lack of strength. The large upper back muscles attached to the shoulder blade and back of rib cage are prone to strains. Having a poor body posture only adds more problem to the ongoing pain.
But, a poor body posture is only part of the problem. There are more reasons why you might suffer from upper back pain. Come! Let us find out what these are.
Causes of Upper Back Pain
An upper back pain becomes severe due to joint dysfunction or muscular irritation. But, there are a few more reasons why it happens so.
1. Improper Lifting Technique
Lifting heavy objects without proper spinal alignment puts undue stress on upper back. Keeping heavy objects above your head towards the left or right side comes at a cost. These make your shoulders and upper back vulnerable to a serious injury. You can practice yoga for upper back to learn the proper technique of lifting.
2. Accidents/Collision
Trauma incurred in a car accident, falls from height, or sports injury causes upper back pain. These injure your spinal bones, discs, ligaments, nerves, muscles, and other soft tissues.
3. Overuse
Putting your upper back through more work than it can handle leads to muscle strain. Overusing upper back muscles leads to ligament sprains and inflammation of upper back. There are many yoga for upper back asanas you can do to maintain a healthy and functional upper back.
4. Poor Body Posture
Sitting at one place for longer hours leads to structural changes in your back and neck. It damages the muscles and affects spinal alignment. Sitting hunched puts undue pressure on the spine bones, discs, muscles, and ligaments. Leaning to one side more than the other also causes an imbalance in your upper back.
It is time we take a look at which yoga asanas can help you keep upper back pain away for good.
Top 3 Yoga for Upper Back Pain Asanas
Given below are three yoga asanas that can help you deal with upper back pain.
1. Puppy Pose
If you want to stretch the trapezius muscles, do the Puppy pose. This yoga pose also stretches your shoulders and open the chest.
Steps to Practice
Note: If you experience pain between your shoulders then keep a small pillow or blanket under your head.
2. Cat-Cow Pose
The Cat-Cow pose is an excellent yoga for upper back asana. It lengthens and stretches your chest and back muscles. This is an excellent yoga asana to warm up your body for advanced yoga postures.
Steps to Practice
3. Cobra Pose
Cobr pose is an excellent upper body backbend. This helps open your chest and extend the shoulders.
Steps to Practice
Conclusion
Do you want to keep the upper back strong and free of injuries? Join a Certified yoga school to learn these yoga for upper back asanas from experienced yoga teachers.
