Mid back pain and what to watch for
Mid back pain is less common than upper or Lower Back Pain but no less frustrating or uncomfortable. The part of the back that is involved with mid back pain is the area between the shoulders, behind the chest. There are twelve thoracic vertebrae in that region of the spine. These vertebrae are somewhat less flexible than other parts of the back because they are tightly joined together with the rib cage. This lesser mobility and greater bone strength actually protects the mid back from injury in many cases.
Sometimes mid back pain is caused by problems in the upper or lower back that have gone untreated.
Two common causes of mid back pain (and back pain in general) are disc injury and degenerative disc disease. As discs degenerate, they lose water content and thickness, bringing vertebrae closer together. The nerve openings are consequently narrowed and the added pressure from the disk can pinch a nerve causing back or leg pain.
Disk injuries can be confusing. Although people sometimes believe that a "bulging" disk is a problem, a bulging disc is normal; a ruptured disc is not. A bulging disc happens as the discs carry body weight throughout the day. The weight of the body causes the discs to "bulge" out. This "bulge" disappears at night as the weight is removed.
A ruptured disc is an injured or damaged disc that leaks out watery jelly (called nucleus pulposus) from the center of the disc. This leakage reduces the shock absorber effect and sometime the jelly presses against a nerve and causes pain, primarily leg pain.
Here is a list of some other common causes of mid back pain:
* Pain that becomes worse after sitting in one position for a long time may be caused by poor posture or by a badly-designed chair.
* Stress creates muscle tension which results in aches and pains in the back.
* A sharp pain or severe, constant pain that is worse when you breathe in or move may be a result of a broken rib.
* If your pain started after a small movement such as bending or turning over in bed, you may have a "slipped" disc.
* Pain accompanied by discomfort when passing urine and/or blood in your urine may be a result of a kidney infection.
* Severe pain here that comes and goes and moves down into your groin may indicate a kidney stone.
* Pain that is made worse by eating and accompanied by indigestion may be a stomach ulcer or gall bladder.
* Pain that follows strenuous exercise may suggest a torn or strained muscle.
* Pain made worse by movement or cold weather may mean arthritis.
Mid back pain is tricky because there are a lot of possible reasons and those reasons may have started in other parts of the back. If the standard back treatment (see article, "Back Pain Treatment is generally very effective") doesn't work, see your doctor.
