Middle back pain is a specific back pain that occurs along the 12 vertebrae in the middle section of the spinal column, also known as the thoracic spine. Although regional pain is the main symptom of this condition, there are other symptoms to look out for if you think you might be having more than just pain. These will be discussed in a session further down below, along with the causes of this condition and methods available to relieve pain.
Causes
There are quite a few factors that can lead to pain in the thoracic region. These can be related either to the large muscles in the back or to bone problems.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there are more reasons that can lead to middle back pain apart from these:
- A car accident
- Back muscle strains, especially from sports injuries
- Muscular irritation
- Poor posture
- Daily activities that are demanding of your back muscles and spine in general
- Spinal stenosis. Even though this condition occurs mostly in the lower back, it can take place along the middle of the spine as well
- Other spinal cord disorders
Symptoms
As stated in the beginning of this article, the defining symptom of middle back pain, is pain. It can manifest itself to varying degrees of intensity and it covers an area that spans between the top of your lumbar spine and can go up to your shoulder blades. In terms of intensity, the pain can be mild, moderate, or severe. It can also be dull or sharp and can be accompanied by muscle stiffness (especially if the main is caused by a strain at the muscular level).
Sometimes pain can refer to (be felt in other parts of the body, instead of the original source) other parts of the body, and back pain is no exception. For example, although your pain originates somewhere along the middle of your back, you can feel it as neck pain.
The pain may prevent you from being able to practice deep breathing. As a result, you may only be able to take short and shallow breaths.
Sometimes upper and middle back pain can come together, or they can be a manifestation of referred pain. The occurrence of upper back pain along thoracic pain can be normal and shouldn’t be a cause of concern in itself.
However, if you experience swelling along with your pain, or the pain extends to the front of your torso and you feel pain in your rib cage, or the pain seems to not go away or even worsens over time, you should consider seeking help from a medical professional.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Middle back pain that is caused by strenuous daily activities should go away on its own, with rest, provided that there are no torn muscles and ligaments. However, if the pain is new and has an unknown cause to you, if it persists, worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should seek professional medical advice.
Diagnosing middle back pain can be done in a few steps, depending on the severity of your condition, as well as what your doctor discovers during the first visit.
The diagnosis process starts with your doctor conducting a physical exam to check for any abnormalities at your pain spot. You may be asked additional questions to help determine the cause of your pain, as well as any other symptoms you might experience.
If a cause for concern is detected during the physical examination, you may be referred to have additional tests. These can help rule out the presence of a more serious condition, and help your doctor suggest an appropriate treatment plan.
The focus should be on providing you with long-lasting pain relief, rather than temporarily countering pain through methods that only mask your symptoms (such as pain medicines or applying heat or ice). The treatment options mentioned below can work even if you have been suffering from pain for a long time (or if your condition is chronic).
- Strengthen the muscles in your back, or preferably in your core or your entire body. A strong muscular structure provides great support for your back and can greatly improve back pain.
- Improve your posture. Oftentimes poor posture and weak core muscles go hand in hand. Strengthening your core muscles might help with your posture. However, if that’s not the case, try to be more mindful of your posture throughout the day and straighten your spine when you become aware of having improper posture.
- Try physical therapy.
Spinal Backrack Technology
The Backrak is a patented class I medical device that has been carefully engineered by the brightest minds on Harley Street. It is highly efficient at freeing you from middle back pain, and also preventing the problem from coming back altogether.
Its aim is to treat the source of your thoracic pain, rather than the symptoms. Given its unique structure that mimics the spine, it accurately targets your pain points, delivering great results.
