I suffer from this problem and this is what I have had great success with. Most upper back pain is caused by nerve irritation in the neck, which is due to stress, which causes the trapesius muscles (those big muscles that ache in the upper back) to tighten and hold tension. When the trapesius muscles are "tight" they pull down on the skull, which is where they are attached on the upper end, and this compresses the discs in the neck where the nerves that operate the trapesius muscles pass through. This compression causes nerve irritation and this nerve irritation causes these muscles to stay flexed which causes the muscles to hold excess lactic acid which in turn causes inflammation in the muscles. Whew! Now, to treat the inflammation, apply ice packs to the upper back where you are experiencing pain, and never leave the ice more than twenty minutes at a time. Leave the ice pack in the freezer for forty minutes ant then re-apply the ice. Do this as often as you can, given the time frames described, and this will help with the pain. I also reccommend you seek the help of a Doctor of Chiropractic, or a Doctor of Osteopathy, as they are trained in the treatment of musculo-skeletal disorders, t which this complaint is common. Remember, thisisthe safest and least invasive treatment. If you have tried the above suggestions, you should seek professional help in the medical Lay down on flat surface. physio,acupuncture,simple analgesics,heat treatment,periodic rest. Most upper back pain is caused by nerve irritation in the neck, which is due to stress, which causes the trapesius muscles (those big muscles that ache in the upper back) to tighten and hold tension. When the trapesius muscles are "tight" they pull down on the skull, which is where they are attached on the upper end, and this compresses the discs in the neck where the nerves that operate the trapesius muscles pass through. This compression causes nerve irritation and this nerve irritation causes these muscles to stay flexed which causes the muscles to hold excess lactic acid which in turn causes inflammation in the muscles. Whew! Now, to treat the inflammation, apply ice packs to the upper back where you are experiencing pain, and never leave the ice more than twenty minutes at a time. Leave the ice pack in the freezer for forty minutes ant then re-apply the ice. Do this as often as you can, given the time frames described, and this will help with the pain. I also reccommend you seek the help of a Doctor of Chiropractic, or a Doctor of Osteopathy, as they are trained in the treatment of musculo-skeletal disorders, t which this complaint is common. Remember, thisisthe safest and least invasive treatment. If you have tried the above suggestions, you should seek professional help in the medical Your upper back pain if in the center of your back could be from acid reflux. Ask your doctor about it next time you see him/her. Get someone to rub an ointment on your upper back and take a pain reliever for inflammation. Have them really rub it into the muscles. Then get someone to pop your back as it could be "out of place". You may have to see D.O. for this or a chiropractor. A doctor (a D.O.) will look into the reasons & causes. They can also prescribe muscle relaxers if that is needed.