Upper back pain is far less common than pain in your lower back. But it can still hurt a lot and be very frustrating. Usually the cause is some type of muscular irritation. However, herniated discs or other structural injuries can also lead to discomfort in the upper back.
Info About the Upper Back
Your upper back is sometimes referred to as the thoracic area. "Thoracic" means that it pertains to the chest. Unlike the cervical spine (neck) and the lumbar spine (lower back), your upper back is not built for much mobility. Instead, it is there mainly for support: to keep us stable as we stand upright and to protect the vital internal organs in the chest.