Understanding and Treating Middle Back Pain

What is middle back pain?

Middle back pain occurs below the neck and above the bottom of the rib cage, in an area called the thoracic spine. There are 12 back bones — the T1 to T12 vertebrae — located in this area. Disks reside between them.
The spinal column protects the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerves that allows the brain to communicate with the rest of the body.
There are a number of ways the bones, muscles, ligaments, and disks in the spine can irritate or injure the nerves, causing back pain.

Symptoms

Symptoms of middle back pain

There are several different symptoms that encompass middle back pain. Symptoms will depend on the cause of your pain. Some of the most common symptoms of mid back pain include:

• muscle aches
• dull pain
• a burning sensation
• sharp or stabbing pain
• muscle tightness or stiffness

Other more serious symptoms may include:

• tingling or numbness in the legs, arms, or chest
• chest pain
• weakness in the legs or arms
• loss of bowel or bladder control

8 causes

What causes middle back pain?

1. Poor posture

Repeated pressure on the spine can lead to middle back pain. In some cases, poor posture can cause this pressure. The muscles and ligaments in your back have to work hard to keep you balanced when you slouch. Overworking these muscles can lead to aches and middle back pain.

2. Obesity

One meta-analysis of 95 studies on weight and lower back pain also showed a positive correlation between obesity and back pain. When weight increases, so does the risk of back pain.

3. Muscle sprain or strain

Sprains are the tearing or stretching of ligaments. Strains are the tearing or stretching of muscles and tendons. Regularly lifting heavy objects, especially without proper form, can easily cause a person to sprain or strain their back. Sprains and strains can also occur after an awkward, sudden movement.

4. Fall or other injury

The middle back is less likely to experience injury than the cervical spine (neck) and lumbar spine (lower back). This is because it’s more structured and rigid. However, it’s still possible to injure the middle back. These injuries most often occur as the result of:

• a hard fall, like down the stairs or from a height
• a car accident
• blunt force trauma
• sports accident

A thoracic spine injury can happen to anyone, but older people are at a higher risk. If you experience back pain after such an incident, contact your doctor immediately.

5. Herniated disk

A herniated disk occurs when the inner, gel-like core of a disk in your back pushes against the outer ring of cartilage, putting pressure on a nerve. Herniated disks are also commonly called slipped disks or ruptured disks.
This pressure on the nerve can result in pain, tingling, or numbness in the middle back and in areas where the affected nerve travels, such as the legs.

6. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease. It occurs when the cartilage covering your joints breaks down, causing bones to rub together. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30 million adults have OA in the United States. It’s a leading cause of disability in adult Americans.

7. Aging

The older a person is, the more likely they are to experience back pain. According to the American Association of Retired Persons, back pain is most likely to occur in 30- to 50-year-olds. The aging process naturally wears on the body, including thinning bones, reduction in muscle mass, and a reduction of fluid between joints in the spine. All these things can cause back pain.

8. Fractures

Vertebrae fractures often occur following trauma, such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury. Fractures are also more likely in people with reduced bone density, such as people with OA.
Fractures can cause severe middle back pain that gets worse if you move. If you’re also experiencing incontinence, tingling, or numbness, your fracture may be impacting the spinal cord as well.
Fractures or bone breaks can be very serious injuries. They often require immediate treatment. Treatment options may include wearing a brace, going to physical therapy, and possibly surgery.