How to Diagnose Upper Back Spasm

Upper back spasms occur for a variety of reasons. Injury to the neck or upper back, osteoarthritis of the neck, infection or tumors may all be causes for spasms. You will need to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Instructions

1. Get examined by your family doctor. Your doctor will apply pressure to the upper area of your back that is experiencing spasms. He will ask questions such as when the spasms occur, how severe is the pain, what does the pain feel like, and are you doing something specific when the spasm begins.

2. Your doctor may order an x-ray taken in his office or at the hospital. X-rays show images of the neck and upper back and reveal if the spine is out of alignment, as well as any other bone abnormalities.

3. Your doctor may recommend an MRI or CT scan to help diagnose your spasms. You will be asked to lie in an MRI or CT scan machine while images are taken of your upper back area. An MRI or CT scan reveals more detailed images than x-rays and may show soft tissue damage contributing to the back spasms.

4. Your doctor may also suggest an electromyography test. It measures electrical pulses produced from your nerves and how your muscles react to the stimulation.

Tips & Warnings

• See your doctor immediately if pain from upper back spasms begin to radiate down one or both legs, if the pain is debilitating or if it causes bowel or bladder problems.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Diagnosing Back Pain
• National Pain Foundation: Back Spasm Pain