Both my parents and one of my grandparents have osteoarthritis. My upper back is really painful. Could this be from osteoarthritis too?

Upper back pain can be caused by osteoarthritis (OA). OA does seem to run in families. It is possible your symptoms are from OA, and there's a chance it was handed down from your parents.

Age has a lot to do with OA too.  It is often the result of the wear and tear of aging. The older you are, the more likely you are to be showing the signs of OA.

But there are also other common causes of upper back pain. Poor posture, an injury that strained the upper back, weak upper back muscles, or neck problems can all cause upper back pain. Your doctor can help you find the cause of your pain, and help you find ways to relieve the pain and prevent future problems.