MID BACK PAIN

Middle back pain can either be serious or simple. It can be caused by a number of factors so it is important to pinpoint the cause. Middle back pain causes may yield symptoms that begin slowly over time or sneak up on you suddenly. In most cases, pain in the middle back, or thoracic spine pain, is most commonly due to problems involving the muscles, ligaments, and joints of that portion of the back.

Usually, the cause of middle back pain can be related to muscle strains or sprains. A muscle strain occurs when muscle in the middle back is stretched excessively or abnormally causing minor muscle tearing. When the fibrous muscle tissue becomes stretched to the point that tears develop, pain and inflammation often ensue which causes the pain. A sprain occurs when ligaments in the middle back become stretched or torn due to too heavy of a load. Ligaments are fibrous bands of tissue that connect bones to other bones. Their role is to keep bone aligned together to prevent awkward movements. However, ligaments can also become stretched abnormally resulting in severe discomfort. Generally, if it was a single traumatic event that caused the back strain or sprain, the onset of pain might not be felt until one or two days after the initial injury. Mid-back pain that continues to cause discomfort longer than just a few days should be looked at by a doctor.

Mid-back pain can also be as a result of muscle spasms and cramps. These cramps or spasms can be quite sharp and even take a person’s breath away. These are a result of abnormal motion in the spine increasing the stress put on the spinal muscles around the area. Spasms are uncontrollable contractions of muscle tissue. Sometimes muscles in this area can also seem tense or tight which is part of the same condition. Spasms can often occur in response to other injuries. Dehydration can also be a factor in the development of muscle cramps in the back. Usually, tightness can be felt on the surface on the back or a knot may be present. Muscle spasm respond fast to the correct treatment. Depending on the severity of the spasm, our doctors have ways they can immediately reduce the spasm and decrease the pain.

Middle back pain may also cause referred pain in the chest as well. The thoracic spine, or middle back, connects the chest and ribs to the spine. Referred pain throughout the chest can be caused since the nerves in the chest or abdomen may share nerves that can become affected within the spine. This type of pain needs more investigation to rule out the severity of any chest cavity conditions. Our doctors begin with a full physical examination and can accurately diagnose the problems for you.