An upper back spasm is a tense, unwanted contraction of the muscles in your back. This occurs because your back supports most of your body's weight, and your upper back muscles can respond by contracting if they are overloaded. In addition, upper back spasms can occur after sudden movement, prolonged sitting, improper lifting or injury. An upper back spasm usually goes away on its own, according to Medline Plus.
Step 1
Examine your upper back and assess your ability to sit, stand, walk and lift your legs, recommends the Mayo Clinic.
Step 2
Tell your doctor what you were doing when the upper back problem occurred. Recall lifting a heavy object, performing a sudden movement, sitting or standing for a prolonged period or being involved in an accident. Discuss other symptoms that you may be experiencing.
Step 3
Allow your doctor to perform a physical exam, which will involve touching, bending, extending and twisting your upper back to determine the cause of your discomfort. Allow your doctor to check your reflexes.
Step 4
Take prescribed muscle relaxants to see if this eases your symptoms. Let your doctor know if these medications are working because it will help him come to a diagnosis of an upper back spasm.
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