Middle Back Muscle Pain: Symptoms Causes And Treatment

So, this is going to be your complete physical therapy guide to middle back muscle pain. Apparently, at some point, we all get pain in our middle back area, and it’s really annoying muscle strain because it limits our movement and even bothers us when we’re sitting and sleeping.

Overall, today you’re going to learn:

1. What is middle back muscle pain?
2. Signs of middle back pain.
3. The reasons.
4. Non-surgical back pain treatment.

Now, let’s get started with…

First – What Is Middle Back Muscle Pain?

Basically, when we talk about middle back pain�muscle strain, we’re referring to poor posture which discomfort or pain in your middle back area. Your middle back area includes the area that connects your chest to your rib cage (your thoracic spine).

The middle back muscle pain can be either acute or chronic depending on the type and degree of pain you’re feeling. Also, the cause of your upper back pain is a major factor.

Once your doctor gives you an accurate diagnosis and determines the cause of your upper back pain muscle strain pain, there are several upper back pain treatment�options.

Now, you need to know..

Second – Middle Back Pain Symptoms:

If any of the following symptoms sound familiar to you, or you’ve been feeling any of myofascial pain lately, then you’re definitely suffering from a poor posture at middle back muscle pain;

1. Tightness And Stiffness In The Morning
2. Shoulder, Neck Or Hip Pain
3. A Headache
4. Tenderness
5. Fatigue
6. Muscle Spasms
7. Shooting Pain
8. Numbness
9. Weakness
10. Bad Posture
11. Sleeping Problems

Moreover, you may encounter anxiety and depression along with your middle back pain.

You need to seek immediate emergency medical assistance if you’re facing any of the following:

• Difficulty Breathing,
• Feeling Pain In Your Chest Or Jaw,
• Having Severe Abdominal Pain,
• Losing Bladder Control,
• Paralysis in Your Leg.

Any of the above sign along with upper back pain can be a sign of a life-threatening condition.

Next, what are the causes of middle back muscle pain?

It’s time to answer this important question…

Third – Middle Back Muscle Pain Causes:

After knowing the symptoms of middle back pain, and you find them familiar to you, then you need to know the reasons for middle back pain.

I made a list of the most common causes of middle back muscle pain in men and women…

There are 8 common reasons for middle back pain:

1. Aging:

The older we get, the more poor posture we are at risk for maladies that could cause middle back pain like spinal stenosis (the narrowing of your spinal canal).

2. Fractured Vertebrae:

If you ever had an accident or severe falls that lead to a vertebral fracture, then this can be the cause of your middle back muscle pain. Also, if you’re experiencing severe spinal deterioration over time, you’ll feel upper back pain.

If your upper back pain gets worse as you move, then that means that there’s a myofascial pain. In the most extreme cases, this can directly affect your spinal cord.

3. Tensed or Strained Muscles

If you’ve been lifting heavy objects a lot lately, or improperly without paying attention to your form, then you’re straining your middle back muscle tissues, damaging your blood vessels and causing pain in the middle back muscles.

4. Osteoporosis

Generally, upper back pain can be formed as osteoporosis which is a disease that occurs when a new bone isn’t formed fast enough to replace your old bone, causing fragile and brittle bones.

The thing about osteoporosis is that it makes your spinal cord more vulnerable to any structural deformities leading to upper back pain muscle strains, shifting body weight and sometimes causing breaks in your bones.

5. Infection

One of the most common infections that cause middle back muscle pain is “Spondylitis”, which is an inflammation of your spinal joints. Of course, there are some other infections that can cause middle back pain, however, this is the one infection that is causing the most trouble and pain.

6. Tumors or other diseases

Your spine can be an annoying upper back pain due to tumors since it’s disrupting your spinal form as it places pressure on your spinal ligaments, nerves and middle back muscles.

7. Injured Discs

Your spinal cord has a cushion called “Discs” which is found between each of your spinal vertebrae. The discs’ mission is to protect your spine from any shock and mobility.

Imagine when your cushion; the thing that is responsible for your spine mobility, gets injured, this will definitely affect your motion and cause middle back muscle pain.

The problem is that when these discs are injured, the inner liquid-like nucleus leak at the weak point straining the surrounding ligaments, nerves and muscle tissues.

Sadly, the injured disc threatens the structure of your spine causing pain, and the severity of the upper back pain�depends on the degree of disc injury.

8. Scoliosis

Last but not least, a spinal condition called “Scoliosis” which can cause middle back muscle pain as well. This condition happens when there’s a sideways curvature of your spine. The pain you feel is due to improper distribution of weight on your spine applying pressure on your ligaments, nerves and middle back muscle tissues.

Finally, for some good news on how to treat your middle back pain without any surgeries…

Fourth – Non-Surgical Back Pain Treatment:

1. Notice what triggers your middle back muscle pain and what makes the pain increase.
2. Be aware that pregnancy, family history, smoking, obesity, stress and a sedentary lifestyle can cause middle back muscle pain.
3. If your upper back pain gets relieved when you apply ice patches, take over the counter painkiller or heating pads, that means you’re suffering from strain muscles and it’s nothing to be that concerned about.
4. See a physician to accurately diagnose the cause of your middle back pain and, therefore, take the right treatment for it such as physical therapy.
5. Make sure you maintain good posture at all times to avoid any unnecessary pressure on your spine.
6. Exercise on a regular basis to main good back health and overall health.

This was your complete physical therapy guide on middle back muscle pain, tell us your experience and how did you treat it.

We’d love for you to share any tips and information regarding upper back pain. After all, we’re all here to provide help. Cheers!