Pain in the middle of the back arises in the region between the lower part of the neck and the beginning of the ribs and therefore is usually related to problems in the thoracic spine, which are 12 vertebrae that stay in that location. Thus, the most common problems associated with this pain are poor posture, disc herniation, osteoarthritis or even minor fractures.
However, in some cases, this type of pain can also happen when there is a change in an organ that is in this region, such as the lung or the stomach, for example.
Thus, it is best to always consult a general practitioner to identify the true cause of the pain and indicate the best specialist to make the most appropriate treatment.
1. Poor posture
Poor posture throughout the day is one of the main causes of pain in various places of the back, especially when you spend a lot of time sitting with your back bent. This happens because the spine is subjected to a constant pressure, which ends up overloading the muscles and ligaments of the back, resulting in the sensation of constant pain.
- What to do : It is best to always maintain a correct posture throughout the day, but this tip is even more important for those who work with their backs constantly bent. See 7 habits that hurt posture and some exercises that help strengthen your back to relieve this type of pain.
2. Muscle injury or contracture
Along with poor posture, muscle injuries and contractures are another major cause of back pain. This type of injury is more frequent in people who do heavy weight training, but it can also happen at home when trying to pick up a very heavy object using only the back.
- What to do: You should rest and to relieve the pain you can apply a hot water bottle to relax the affected muscles. In addition, doing an on-site massage also helps reduce inflammation and improve discomfort. Check out other tips for treating a muscle contracture.
3. Herniated disc
The disc herniation happens when the disc that lies between the vertebrae undergoes some alteration, causing constant pain that worsens when moving the back. In addition, there may still be tingling or burning sensation in the back of one of the arms or legs, as it may radiate to other parts of the body.
The hernia usually arises as a consequence of poor posture over a long time, but it can also develop by picking up on very heavy objects without protecting the back. Know all the causes of herniated disc and its symptoms.
- What to do : If a herniated disc is suspected, an orthopedist should be consulted to assess the change in the disc between the vertebrae and initiate the most appropriate treatment, which may range from the use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs until surgery.
4. Osteoarthritis
Although it is rarer, osteoarthritis can also be an important cause of middle back pain, as this disease causes the gradual degradation of cartilage that lies between the vertebrae. When this happens, the bones end up scraping into each other, causing the onset of pain, which worsens over time.
- What to do : You should go to the orthopedist to confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, start treatment with physiotherapy sessions. If this type of treatment is not enough to relieve pain, your doctor may consider having surgery. Learn more about how physiotherapy for osteoarthritis is done.
5. Small fractures in the spine
With advancing age, bones become more fragile, so small fractures of the vertebrae in the spine often occur, especially after some type of accident, falls or a blow to the back. The pain that arises with the fracture can be very intense and arise soon after the trauma, but it can also gradually arise.
In addition to the pain, a small fracture in the spine can also cause tingling in other places on the body, such as arms, hands or legs.
- What to do : Although most fractures are very small, they may develop if there is no adequate treatment. Therefore, if a fracture is suspected, an appointment with the orthopedist should be made. Until the consultation the ideal is to avoid making too much effort with the back. See which treatment options are most commonly used in the case of a spinal fracture.
6. Problems in the lung
Sometimes, back pain may not be directly related to the spine or back muscles, and may occur when there are problems with the lungs, especially when the pain appears or becomes more intense when breathing. In these cases, other breathing-related symptoms such as shortness of breath or persistent cough may still occur.
- What to do : If back pain is associated with other signs of lung problems, consult a GP or a pulmonologist to see if there is any change or infection in the lung that needs to be treated.
7. Stomach problems
Similar to the lung, when the stomach is affected by some alteration, like reflux or ulcer, for example, the pain can radiate to the middle of the back. However, in this situation, people also often have a burning sensation in the throat, difficulty in making digestion and even vomiting.
What to do: When it is suspected that back pain may be a sign of a stomach problem one should go to the gastroenterologist. Until the consultation, the most important is to maintain a healthy diet, with few fries, fat or sugar, as well as using digestive teas, for example. Check out some natural ways to relieve stomach ache while waiting for the consultation.
When to go to the doctor
In most cases, mid back pain is not a sign of a serious problem. However, since this pain may also be associated with urgent situations such as a heart attack, it is advisable to go to the hospital if other symptoms appear, such as:
- Feeling tight in the chest;
- Fainting;
- Intense difficulty breathing;
- Difficulty walking.
In addition, if the pain also takes more than 1 week to disappear, you should go to the general practitioner or orthopedist to identify the cause and start the most appropriate treatment.
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