Upper back pain can be related to various health conditions, however, before a treatment plan can be recommended, the reason for your pain needs to be determined. If you visit an urgent care center complaining of upper back pain, your vital signs will be assessed and the healthcare provider will take an oral medical history from you. In addition, you may be offered the following medical interventions to help diagnose the cause of your upper back pain so that the provider can recommend effective treatment options.
Chest X-Ray
Because upper back pain can be caused by respiratory conditions such as pneumonia or a collapsed lung, the urgent care provider will recommend a chest X-ray. In addition to assessing your lungs, a chest X-ray can also reveal certain abnormalities of the heart, arteries, and ribs.
Cracked or broken ribs can cause both chest pain and upper back pain, however, if your X-ray reveals the presence of a broken rib, your treatment may be limited to taking pain medication, resting, wrapping the chest area, and applying ice over the affected area. If your X-ray reveals cardiac abnormalities, the urgent care provider may either recommend that you seek care at the nearest hospital if warranted or refer you back to your physician.
Antibiotic Therapy
If your upper back pain is caused by an infection or lung congestion, the urgent care professional may give you a prescription for antibiotics and a cough medication that contains an expectorant. Cough medications that have expectorant properties will help thin out the mucus in your lungs so that it can be coughed up, or expectorated, more easily. Once the thick mucus has been cleared from your lungs, your upper back pain may go away.
It is important to note, that while upper back pain caused by lung infections is often accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, chest tightness, and coughing, it may be your only symptom. The healthcare professional may also recommend that you increase your intake of fluids, get plenty of rest, and follow up with your primary care doctor.
If you develop upper back pain, seek medical attention so that the cause can be identified and treated. An early diagnosis and proper treatment will help ensure that your symptoms resolve quickly so that you can resume your normal activities sooner. It may also help ensure that your prognosis is more favorable and make it less likely that complications will arise as a result of your diagnosis.
For more information, visit an urgent care clinic near you.
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