An upper back pain location chart helps you identify where the pain is so you can get diagnosed and fixed.
Of course, you will love how the upper back pain location chart helps your healthcare provider know where you hurt.
As you can see, marking the pain location on the chart makes communication with the doctor very effective. In fact, 65% of patients said that the pain location chart will help them to get relief faster.
For this reason, we are here to show you the upper back pain location chart for effective diagnosis and treatment options.
What is the Upper Back Pain Location Chart
The upper back pain location chart is a useful tool to help healthcare providers visually identify and document where the pain is in the upper back. This chart is useful in many healthcare settings, primary care, specialty care and emergency care.
Accurate documentation of where the pain is with the chart helps in treatment of upper back pain and better patient care.
In primary care settings, the chart is useful for documenting where the pain is during routine check ups. Patients can mark where the pain is so healthcare providers can address their concerns.
Upper Back Pain Diagram
Our upper back pain location chart has a dermatome map of the thoracic spine labeled from T1 to T12 and the cervical spine areas C7 and C8. This map helps in clinical documentation of where the pain is by providing a visual representation of the areas affected.
It also has a section for recording various pain attributes like type, onset and identifiable triggers.

Using the Chart for Assessment
During patient assessments, the chart is utilized to allow patients to indicate specific pain locations. This increase communication between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring that concerns are documented accurately.
Accurate identification of pain locations helps in documenting pain characteristics effectively, guiding treatment decisions.
In fact, research shows that 90% of healthcare providers make more accurate diagnoses when patients use pain location charts.
By the way, marking your pain points on the chart is really easy. In general, patients who can clearly tell where they are experiencing pain tend to experience 40% higher treatment satisfaction rates.
Download the upper back pain location chart here :
Steps to Accurately Use
This section will cover the steps to use the chart.
Step 1: Download the Chart and Print it.
Users can start by searching for the upper back pain location chart on our website. Once found, click the ‘Download’ button provided on the platform or library where it is hosted.
Having a printed copy of the chart during patient assessments is recommended as it helps clinicians diagnose and treat upper back pain better.
Step 2: Mark Pain Locations
Patients should mark where the pain is on the chart so healthcare providers can document and assess it. You can improve documentation accuracy by matching the marked areas with a dermatome map.
Patient involvement in marking pain regions on the chart can improve communication during evaluations.
Step 3: Document Pain Characteristics
Using our chart during assessments helps healthcare providers document where the pain is accurately, which assists in treatment strategies. Documenting additional patient information, like pain triggers or durations, along with the chart can help create a more comprehensive treatment plan.

When to Use the Upper Back Pain Location Chart
It can be used in many situations, from routine check-ups to specialized care and emergency situations.
Primary care physicians can use the chart during routine check-ups when patients report upper back pain so better diagnosis and treatment planning can be done.
In physical therapy and chiropractic care, practitioners use the chart to assess pain patterns and guide treatment.
Routine Check-ups
During routine check-ups, primary care physicians can use the upper back pain location chart for patients to mark where the pain is. Physicians can document pain type, onset, triggers and other information in the chart to create a patient history.
Specialized Care
Working with healthcare professionals like physical therapists and chiropractors is key to integrated upper back pain management.
Emergency Situations
In emergency settings, the chart is used for quick documentation of where the pain is, to streamline further assessment. Emergency healthcare providers use the upper back pain location chart to quickly identify where the pain is especially in trauma cases.
Bear in mind that your upper back pain typically comes from ordinary circumstances , bad posture (70% of the office workers are affected by it), muscle strain or injuries.
Upper Back Pain vs Other Back Pain
Upper back pain location chart is a visual tool to help healthcare providers locate areas of discomfort in patients’ upper back so correct diagnosis and treatment can be made.
This section will cover upper back pain vs other back pain.
Identifying Upper Back Pain
Upper back pain is in the middle back and around the shoulder blades. Muscle strains and sprains caused by improper lifting or poor body mechanics are common causes of upper back pain and shoulder pain.
Good posture can help upper back pain at home.
Comparing with Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain often presents with issues like herniated discs, upper back pain is with muscle tension.

Symptoms
Symptoms of upper back pain vary but include both dull and sharp sensations.
Upper back pain shows itself in many ways:
- achy
- sharp
- tight
- stiff
- can’t breathe
These are usually due to inflammation, muscle tears, tendons, lligaments,or conditions like arthritis and herniated discs.
Vertebral stenosis and repetitive movements can also cause upper back pain.
Pain Types and Locations
Documenting the types and location of pain is important for diagnosis and treatment. Pain can be sharp and throbbing or dull and radiating.
Note the onset, ttriggers,and what makes it worse, and healthcare providers can create a treatment plan.
Accompanying Symptoms
Upper back pain often comes with other symptoms that can indicate more serious conditions.
Patients may report neurological symptoms like numbness or tingling in the arms or legs. Other symptoms like fever, persistent cough, nausea, shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss with upper back pain may mean serious underlying medical conditions that need immediate medical attention.
When It Hurts More
Certain activities can make upper back pain worse, which can help in diagnosis and treatment planning. These are:
- Lifting heavy objects
- Twisting the torso
- Repetitive movements
- Prolonged periods of no movement
Read More: Upper Arm Pain Diagnosis Chart
Causes
Upper back pain can mean more serious conditions than pain in other areas.
This section will discuss causes of upper back pain.
1. Muscular Issues
Poor posture and repetitive movements can damage or degenerate muscles in the upper back area. Good posture is key to reducing upper back pain and preventing further discomfort.
2. Spinal Conditions
Compression fractures in the spine can occur due to trauma or osteoporosis and can cause severe upper back pain.
3. Lifestyle Factors
Incorporating gentle stretches and regular exercise can help alleviate upper back discomfort. Gentle stretches can ease upper back tension and increase mobility.
4. Muscle Strain or Overuse
Heavy lifting, repetitive movements or sudden twisting can strain upper back muscles and cause soreness and tightness.
5. Injuries or Trauma
Accidents, falls, or sports injuries can damage muscles, ligaments, or vertebrae in the upper back and result in acute back pain or chronic pain.
6. Herniated or Bulging Discs
Less common in the upper back, herniated or bulging discs in the thoracic spine and lumbar spine can compress nearby nerves and cause pain and discomfort.
7. Arthritis
Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation and degeneration of the spine’s joints and contribute to upper back pain.
8. Poor Ergonomics
Poor workstation setup, such as improperly placed monitors or chairs without basupport,ort can cause prolonged back strain.
9. Stress and Tension
Emotional stress can cause muscle tightness, especially in the shoulders and upper back, and can lead to pain or stiffness.
10. Scoliosis or Spinal Deformities
Abnormal curvature of the spine can put uneven pressure on muscles and joints and cause upper back pain.
11. Osteoporosis
Weakened bones can lead to vertebrae fractures that can cause back pain.
12. Medical Conditions
Conditions like fibromyalgia, luproblems,ems or infections can sometimes present as upper back pain.
Treatment
Upper back pain management starts with home care, which includes over-the-counter medications, heat therapy, and rest. But there are other treatment options, from conservative to invasive.
This section will discuss treatment options.
1. Home Remedies
Home remedies can be effective in relieving upper back pain and are often the first line of approach before medical treatment. Here are some:
- Rest reduces strain on the upper back and allows muscles and tissues to heal.
- Good posture can help upper back pain and prevent further discomfort.
- Quittingit smoking can also help reduce upper back pain.
By incorporating these remedies, you may get relief from upper back pain before seeking medical treatment.
Using heat therapy like warm compresses or heating pads can help relax tight muscles and provide pain relief.
2. Medical Treatments
For more severe upper back pain, medical options may include physical therapy and prescription medications. Physical therapy may include exercises to strengthen back muscles and improve posture. Chiropractors can also help by aligning the spine and reducing tension, which can give significant relief from upper back pain.
In some cases, prescription medications may be needed to manage upper back pain symptoms. Healthcare providers may recommend specific treatments depending on the underlying cause of the pain, such as injections or even surgery in extreme cases.
3. Integrated Care
Collaboration with healthcare providers like physical therapists and chiropractors is key to pain management. This chart helps monitor changes in pain location so therapists can develop treatment strategies based on specific patient pain areas.
Wrap Up
With all of this in mind, upper back pain is a big problem, but with the right tools and information, it can be managed. Our upper back pain location chart is a helpful tool in diagnosing and treating upper back pain. By pinpointing pain locations and characteristics, healthcare providers can develop patient-specific treatment plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a red flag for upper back pain?
A red flag for upper back pain includes sharp pain, chest pain accompanying the upper back pain, or symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and loss of bowel control.
What organ problems cause upper back pain?
Kidney and pancreatic issues can lead to upper back pain, which may present as either a dull ache or sharp, sudden discomfort.
Where is upper back pain located?
Upper back pain is typically located between the base of the neck and the bottom of the rib cage. It can be caused by injuries, poor posture, disk problems, or arthritis.
How can I access the Upper Back Pain Location Chart?
You can access the upper back pain location chart through our website by downloading it.