Don’t ignore that pain you are experiencing in the upper portion of your spine — it’s something that can certainly keep you from carrying out all kinds of everyday physical activities.

Also known as the mid-back, your upper back is prone to getting a lot of stress or abuse from you. This is especially true if you are carrying heavy objects all the time or in the wrong manner, or sitting in front of your computer in an incorrect posture for hours on end.

In some instances, pain experienced in your upper back can be due to a seemingly unrelated issue. For instance, experts say that certain problems concerning the digestive system can actually make your upper back feel achy.

Annoyed that the upper part of your back hurts? Keep on reading — below you will come across some of the things that can be blamed for it. Just remember one important thing: none of the details mentioned below should be mistaken for professional medical advice which only a health care provider can offer.

Improper Posture

One of the most common culprits behind an upper back that feels sore and achy is poor posture. Especially if your work or daily leisure pursuit (computer gaming, internet surfing, streaming online videos, chatting, etc.) entails sitting before a computer for several hours straight and your shoulders are hunched forward, don’t be surprised why it appears as though your upper back hurts.

The solution available is to maintain the right posture while seated before your computer. Taking frequent breaks is also a wonderful idea. Definitely, you should invest in an ergonomically-designed computer chair.

Carrying a Seriously Heavy Backpack

A backpack is a fashionable way to take many of your essentials with you no matter where you go. Unfortunately, lugging around a backpack that weighs several pounds is bad for your upper back. Actually, it also wreaks havoc on your weight-bearing joints like the ankles and knees. You can also put the blame on using a backpack in the wrong manner, such as using just one of the straps — such puts the weight on only one side of your body, straining your upper back.

What you need to do is lighten up, literally — make sure that you do not overload your backpack. Also, don’t forget to use it in the right manner, which means that both straps go over your shoulders.

Improper Lifting

No matter if you’re at the gym, spring cleaning or helping a friend move to a new house, it’s very important for you to maintain proper body mechanics when lifting something heavy. This means that you should not bend forward when trying to lift an object — squat and bring your body as close to the object as possible. Also, experts suggest for you to refrain from lifting something heavy above shoulder level, and also avoiding twisting your spine.

Because it’s not just the upper portion of your spine that you may hurt with improper lifting, you should be very careful each time you have to let out the Superman in you.

Spinal Osteoarthritis

According to doctors, arthritis is a degenerative disease of the joint characterized by the wearing and tearing of the protective cartilage found where two or more bones meet. Just about any joint in your body can be affected, and every single joint of your spine is included. If osteoarthritis strikes your upper back, you may experience pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders. If severe enough, you may feel pain or numbness in the arms, too.

Sadly, there is no known treatment for osteoarthritis. The good news is there are treatments and home remedies that can help alleviate the symptoms and also keep it from worsening — yes, it is a progressive disease.

Acid Reflux or GERD

Everyone knows that acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause heartburn — that feeling like you are having a heart attack. According to doctors who specialize in problems concerning the digestive system, it’s very much possible for someone who is having a severe bout of acid reflux or GERD to experience pain in the upper back.

By the way, they add that having stomach ulcers can sometimes leave the upper part of the back aching, too. Needless to say, seeking the help of a gastroenterologist is warranted.