Why am I having upper back pain at night?

Question

Hello doctor,

I currently am suffering nighttime upper back pain. It is only painful when laying down, I have been prescribed Co-codamol but have yet to get any tests or scans done. This pain wakes me every night to a point I cannot roll over or change my sleeping position. Last night bothered my arms from the elbow down and went numb with pins and needles. Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

As this sounds like cervical radiculopathy, an MRI is suggested of the cervical spine. Also, I will advise you to use a neck collar and continue the medicine. Once the pain level drops between 5 to 6 on the VAS pain scale of 0 to 10 where 0 is no pain and 10 is maximum pain, then you can begin neck strengthening exercises which will help stabilize the cervical spine. Also, shoulder stability exercises and inter-scapular muscle strengthening exercises are advised.