Why Does My Upper Back Hurt When I Cough?

Does your back hurt when you cough, making you feel frustrated? Coughing can crop up for various reasons.
A cold could be the culprit, or seasonal allergies might also be causing the coughing back pain. Along with the scratchy sensation in your throat, you may also notice pain in your upper back when you cough.
We’ll explore lower back pain after coughing. We’ll cover common causes of this pain and when to seek medical attention.
Are you struggling with a severe cough? You can contact Today Telemedicine at your convenience. There’s no need to wait, get the best treatment.

The Connection Between Coughing and Back Pain

So, can coughing cause upper back pain? Yes, coughing can cause upper back pain. But we must examine how coughing works.
Coughing is usually an involuntary reflex. It clears contaminants, irritants, and fluid from your airways, making breathing easier.

You can’t control the muscles you use to cough. Most of them are in your upper body. The more your upper body moves when you cough, the more you will stress your spine and upper back.
Your posture adjusts when you cough. You might look up and lean forward. You do this to clear any contaminants in your airways. Unfortunately, this can stress your upper back and cause pain.

Also, if you have back pain, it can stress that area. You might feel a jolt of pain from your ribs to your upper back. If you say, “When I cough, my upper back hurts,” know why this might happen.

Why Does My Upper Back Hurt When I Cough? The Most Common Causes

Many people say, “I feel back pain when I cough,” which frustrates them. To solve this, we need to look at the common causes of upper back pain when coughing.
There are a few possible causes. They include:

• Muscle Strain

Coughing can cause upper back pain, often due to a muscle strain. Coughing stresses these muscles. The longer you cough, the more strain you put on them.
Eventually, you might struggle to breathe and start coughing harder. This could injure your muscles. If your upper back hurts and feels stiff, you might have a strain. Resting is the best treatment for a strain.

• Ligament Sprain

You might get a sore upper back if you’ve been coughing a lot. Because you may have strained a ligament. Ligaments are the links between your spine’s bones.
Too much coughing can put a strain on these links and your spine. And when a ligament gets strained, it hurts. You’ll feel it in your upper back as an ache, maybe even as stiffness or soreness.
Twist or turn your back, and you might feel it more. This could mean your ligament needs a break and some time to heal.

• Spinal Stenosis

Getting older sometimes means changes in your spine. Like, your spine could get narrower. This might bug your nerves there. If it gets really bad, they call it spinal stenosis.
This makes your nerves more squished, say when you cough bending over. If you’ve got this, maybe you’ve got hurt or numb legs.
Your back problem is the likely cause. If it gets bad, it could mess up using the toilet. It’s important to take care of this soon, and you might need a professional’s help.

• Herniated Disc

Did you know a herniated disc might be causing your back pain? These discs add extra padding to your spine and work like shock absorbers. As you get older, the discs may shrink.
They could crack after a rough event. A cough lacks the force to rupture a spinal disc. But it might aggravate already present issues from a herniated disc.
Usually, such a disc problem happens at the bottom of your spine, in your lower back. At times, the issue might arise even in your upper back.

• Pinched Nerve

You might feel pain because of a pinched nerve in your neck, shoulder, or upper back. Coughing can put pressure on nerves in your upper back, neck, and spine. Sensations of sharpness, numbness, or prickling occur in your upper back.
Causes of cough-induced upper back pain differ, yet converge on a single root. There are so many remedies to reduce the frustration you’re feeling.

How to Treat Upper Back Pain When Coughing

Coughing back pain can hurt your quality of life. Luckily, there are ways to ease the discomfort and support your back while coughing. Below are several strategies to help manage the pain:

1. Add Extra Back Support

One of the main reasons for back pain during coughing is the stress placed on your spine. You can reduce this stress by giving your back some additional support.
For example, use a cushion behind your neck and upper back. Or, find a chair with better ergonomic support. The extra back support can reduce strain on your muscles. It can make coughing less painful.

2. Keep Your Back Flexible

A flexible back is key to preventing injuries from sudden stress, like coughing. Try light stretches or exercises to loosen your back muscles and ligaments.
Strengthening your upper back muscles with targeted exercises can also provide long-term relief. A physical therapist can guide you through exercises.
They will be tailored to your needs. This will ensure you stretch and strengthen the right areas.

3. Try Heat and Cold Therapy

Cold and heat therapy are effective ways to manage pain and reduce stiffness in your upper back. Cold therapy can reduce inflammation. But, use a barrier, like a towel, between an ice pack and your skin to avoid injury.
Heat therapy, on the other hand, helps improve blood flow and relax tight muscles. Be cautious not to apply heat packs directly to your skin to avoid burns. Alternating between cold and heat can provide optimal relief.

4. Consult a Chiropractor

If you’re dealing with persistent upper back pain when you cough, it might be a sign of an underlying issue. A chiropractor can help find and treat the cause of your pain.
Chiropractors adjust the spine and use a comprehensive approach to manage your pain. They will check your back, find the pain’s source, and create a treatment plan.
A chiropractor can help you recover faster and avoid future issues. Consider contacting.

Wrapping Up

Why does my upper back hurt when I cough?
Upper back pain when coughing can be due to many issues. They include muscle strain, ligament sprain, or a herniated disc. A simple treatment can help relieve the pain.
They include extra back support, exercises, heat and cold therapy, and a chiropractor. By taking the right steps, you can manage the discomfort and improve your quality of life.
If the pain persists, seek professional help for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

FAQs

Why does my upper back hurt when I cough?

Coughs can lead to upper back aches. It might be a pulled muscle, a stretched ligament, a slipped disc, or spinal constriction. The act of coughing stresses your back and spinal column, causing discomfort.

Can coughing cause a serious back injury?

A cough by itself probably won’t cause a serious injury. However, it can intensify the effects of a slipped disc or trapped nerve, boosting the ache.

How can I relieve upper back pain when I cough?

You can relieve pain by:

• Providing extra back support.
• Keep your back flexible with stretches and exercises.
• Using heat and cold therapy.
• Consulting a chiropractor for a thorough evaluation.

Should I see a doctor if my upper back hurts when I cough?

If the aching continues, gets worse, or results in numbness or breathing problems, consult a doctor. A medical professional can pinpoint the root of the problem and suggest appropriate remedies.