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Mid Back Pain
 Mid back pain can come from many causes. If there is no reported
direct trauma or injury to the mid back, this type of symptom is
usually caused by a spinal condition above or below the area in
question. For example, if someone receives a blunt force to the
mid back region, the cause would be obvious. However, many
patients enter the office not knowing what caused their pain.
They just know that when they twist their back or move in
certain directions, the region between their shoulder blades
hurt.
Upon examination it is very common to find a lower back
misalignment, or in some cases, a lower neck misalignment that
has helped cause the mid back pain. Remember, the spine works as
a unit. In the majority of cases, patients will complain about
neck or lower back pain specifically. However, mid back pain is
a reality for some patients, and that situation can be addressed
using chiropractic treatment.
Another cause of mid back pain is rib involvement. Anatomically,
the thoracic spine (middle back) attaches to the ribs. If a
blunt force affects the ribs, even if the force occurred in the
front part of the body, a mid back symptom may be felt because
the muscles between the ribs were irritated. These muscles
extend from the front part of the ribs to the area that attaches
to the spine of the middle back. Sometimes this can occur when
the patient has twisted and bent
 sideways while lifting or
pushing something. Sometimes patients will remark that they have
difficulty with full breaths. This is called “intercostal” pain.
Intercostal pain occurs when the nerve that runs along one of
the ribs in the thoracic cage becomes slightly inflamed; this is
also known as intercostal neuralgia. The pain appears abruptly,
and can worsen considerably with a movement of the vertebral
column, incorrect posture, a respiratory movement, coughing, or
even the simple act of talking.
Analgesic medication may lessen neuralgic pain, but it will not
correct the problem. Intercostal pain is generally due to neuro-musculoskeletal
problems which cannot be treated with medication.
Signals to watch for: (3 or more, see a chiropractor)
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A tender spot in your
chest that goes on and off. |
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Struggling for breath
while breathing normally. |
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Chest pains from taking a
deep breath. |
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Chest pain from sneezing
or coughing. |
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Sensitivity in the
ribcage. |
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Ever had a back pain that
crossed to the front, around your chest? |
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Is it painful to press
the pit of your stomach (below the sternum)?
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Restricted range of
motion when turning your torso. |
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Pain along one of your
ribs, along with a skin rash. |
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FOR WOMEN: discomfort in
the area where you do up your bra. |
Treatment consists of
gentle adjustments of the ribs and spine. Ice can be used to
help reduce the swelling associated with this injury.
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