Middle Back Pain - What Do Your Symptoms Mean?

Back pain is a common occurrence these days but it is the upper or lower part of the back which mostly get affected by it. This is because these areas are flexed more often than the mid back portion. The middle part of the back is not involved in regular back movements. Hence, the chances of degeneration of its structure is quite less. Middle back pain mostly arises due to injury. The structure of the middle back consist of the thoracic spine made of 12 vertebrae, cartilage disc, lots of muscles which add stability to the skeletons and ligaments. Because of this complex structure, the symptoms are quite complicated and is difficult to understand.

Causes

As mentioned above, the middle back region is quite muscular in nature but these muscles are quite weak and inflexible as compared to chest muscles or thigh muscles. For this reason, one of the most commonly found causes is injury to the muscles and ligament of this region. A wrong sitting posture, standing for long hours, repetitive bending, lifting of heavy objects can badly strain these muscles. Traumatic injury directly on these muscles or spinal column or dehydration can also trigger middle back pain. Spinal column may suffer degeneration because of age related disease like arthritis that give rise to pain and inflammation on the bony structure. A right side back pain experienced in this area is mostly due to slipped disc where the cartilage disc is ruptured and its protruded part press the nerve root of the area which gives painful sensation.

Symptoms

The biggest problem with symptoms is that they are not confined only to the mid part of the back but it tends to spread out to other areas as well. It makes identification of the symptoms quite difficult. Here are a few of those symptoms of middle back pain that most patients complain about:

A localized pain in the middle back area which is triggered by sitting or standing for long hours. This pain tend to intensify further with activities like bending or lifting weights. The pain can restrict the movement of the torso. When the pain in the muscles turns severe, one may find it difficult even to stand straight.

Sometimes, the painful sensation is passed on to other areas of the body through nerves and is felt there. It is also known as referred pain. As the middle back consist of the thoracic spine, the ribcage may turn sensitive and pain can be felt in one or more of the ribs

Strangely, the painful symptoms are experienced in the chest area as well. Some tender spots may develop on the chest where you can feel the pain on and off but not all the time. It may even give chest pain when breathing, sneezing and coughing. The pain may turn so severe that one may find it difficult to maintain normal breathing. In this condition, there is a high chance that the patient may develop some serious lung complications.

A middle right back pain or a middle left back pain is mostly a symptom of slipped disc. It starts all of sudden in the morning and is accompanied by tingling numbness and muscle spasm. The symptoms often get extended to the shoulder and arms.

Treatment

Diagnosis mainly involves physical examination of the patient and laboratory tests like x-rays and MRI scan. Firstly, the back has to be rested for some time. Stay away from all such activities that worsen the pain. This will give the injured muscle scope to heal up. Ice application can reduce the soreness of the muscles. Heat application with the help of a heating pad or hot bath is good for relief. A mild to moderate pain can be controlled with the help of non-steroid anti-Inflammatory drugs. A more severe pain may require muscle relaxants and cortisone injections. As the pain subsides, physical therapy is recommended. Back exercises are highly beneficial as the muscles are stretched and strengthened. Only in some rare cases, that surgery is needed to treat middle back pain. The lung complications or chest pain triggered by the pain usually do not require any treatment. It is resolved once the back pain is treated properly.

Once you have recovered from the symptoms, you do not want it to recur all over again. Maintaining a good posture can prevent this condition. Another thing that you have to take care of is the bed mattress. A hard mattress can provide a lot of support to the back and prevent strain in the back muscles.