Back pain, especially in the middle of the back, can be annoying and uncomfortable. Globally, back pain has become the primary cause of disability and missed work days. Though it affects people of all ages, those who are obese and over 30 years old have an increased risk of developing it. While 50% of working Americans have back pain, around 80% of Americans are anticipated to have back pain at some point in their life.
Although pain in the middle of the back is common, leaving it untreated can aggravate the pain, eventually causing disability. Let's understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment of middle back pain so you can manage it effectively.
Understanding Middle Back Pain
The middle back is the thoracic spine, the region below your neck and above your rib cage. The thoracic spine has 12 vertebrae (T1 to T12), enclosing disks, muscles, and ligaments. Damage, irritation, or an injury to the nerves that run through and across the thoracic disks, ligaments, bones, and muscles can cause pain. The degree of pain can be mild to severe, depending on the extent and acuteness of the injury.
Causes of Pain in the Middle Back
Medical conditions contributing to this type of pain include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Physical inactivity
- Poor posture
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Slipped, ruptured, or herniated discs
- Broken vertebrae
- Kidney stones
- Anxiety or depression
- Osteoporosis
- Tumor in the thoracic spine
- Scoliosis
- Muscle sprain or strain
- Slip and fall injuries
Who Is at Risk?
Factors that may increase your risk of developing pain in the center of your back include:
- Smoking
- Sudden movements
- Obesity
- Improper lifting techniques
- Age
- Weakening of the abdomen or back muscles
Symptoms
Symptoms of middle back pain may vary depending on the underlying cause. They include:
- Burning sensation
- Dull pain
- Muscle stiffness or tightness
- Sharp or stabbing pain
- Muscle aches
As the pain progresses, you may start experiencing some severe symptoms, including:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Weakness in the arms or legs
- Numbness or tingling in the chest, legs, or arms
- Chest pain
Diagnosis
To diagnose your middle back pain, your healthcare provider will:
- Perform a physical exam of your spine, its posture, and alignment.
- Order a neurological test to evaluate your spinal cord and brain function.
- Recommend imaging tests (CT scan, MRI scan, X-ray, or ultrasound) to rule out other underlying causes, such as bone degeneration, fractures, herniated discs, damage or injury to the spine, etc.
What Effective Treatments Are Available?
At-Home Treatments
If the pain is mild, you can try out the following home remedies:
- Apply ice and heat to the affected area.
- Strengthen your back muscles with yoga and exercises.
- Take over-the-counter medications to minimize pain and swelling.
- If you work on a computer, properly adjust your system and chair height and position your mouse and keyboard.
- Take walk breaks amid your prolonged sitting hours.
- Improve posture, that is, avoid slouching and keep your shoulders back when standing.
Medical Treatments
- Prescription muscle relaxers or pain relievers
- Steroid injections
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
Surgery
- Laminectomy: Removing the back wall of a vertebra (the lamina) to decompress the spinal cord.
- Discectomy: Removing the injured part of the disk that is herniated, bulged, or ruptured to prevent further damage while treating pinched nerves.
- Laminotomy: Removing a portion of the lamina to treat a pinched nerve.
- Fusion: Joining two vertebrae using a spacer to replace damaged disks.
Tips on Managing Middle Back Pain
Here are tips to follow:
- Improve Posture: A key strategy to minimize back pain is improving your posture. You can significantly reduce pain by adjusting how you stand, sit, and move around.
- Stretching: Stretching the middle back muscles can help loosen up the stiff or tight muscles, improving their flexibility while removing tension.
- Exercises: Low-impact exercises (walking, swimming, and yoga) and core-strengthening exercises (squats and planks) can help strengthen and support your middle back.
How to Prevent it?
The prevention tips for middle back pain are as follows -
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Try physical therapy.
- Sleep on your side with pillows between your knees or in a fetal position.
- Practice proper posture.
- Optimize your workspace ergonomically.
- Practice safe lifting techniques.
When to Seek Medical Assistance?
Visit your doctor if:
- Your pain persists for over 3 days.
- Home remedies don't work.
- Your back pain is associated with weakness, numbness, tingling sensation, chest pain, and incontinence.
- You have back pain after a collision, injury, or fall.
Manage Your Middle Back Pain with MI Express Urgent Care for Instant Relief
At MI Express Urgent Care in Canton & Ann Arbor, MI, we provide fast, effective treatment options for middle back pain. We have everything you need, from state-of-the-art equipment to experienced healthcare professionals and personalized treatment regimens to eliminate your middle back pain. Contact us today to start feeling better quickly.
