Back pain can make life much more difficult. At B2 Medical in Wesley Chapel, FL, we have proven non-surgical treatments to alleviate any back pain you may be experiencing. When it comes to middle back pain, it’s worth knowing what some of the causes could be so you can get the right treatment for your condition.
What Is the “Middle Back?”
The middle back is the area below the neck to the bottom of the rib cage, also referred to as the thoracic spine. In this area are several backbones, called vertebrae, that are part of the spinal column.
This area protects the spinal cord that allows your brain to communicate through the nerves that run throughout the rest of your body. Pain in this area can be due to issues with the bones, muscles, disks, or even the nerves.
7 Possible Causes of Middle Back Pain
1. Poor Posture
This can impact any person but typically occurs in those who have office jobs. If you sit hunched over on your desk and do not sit upright in an ergonomic chair, you may be experiencing pain in your middle back.
When you sit like this, you are putting repeated pressure on your spine that causes the muscles and ligaments in this area to work harder. Since these muscles and ligaments are being overworked to help keep you balanced, it can lead to pain in the middle back.
2. Recently Fall or Injury
Though you might not have given much thought when it happened, if you have recently suffered from a fall or other injury, it may be the cause of your middle back pain. It is typical to have neck or lower back pain after an injury, but a pain in the middle back can still occur.
If you have taken a hard fall, have recently been in a car accident, have received some form of blunt force trauma, or have been in a sports accident, any of these could be the cause of your pain. This pain can be associated with vertebrae fractures.
Vertebrae fractures usually occur in people that have reduced bone density and are associated with tingling or numbness. If you have experienced any of these injuries and your middle back is painful, you may have fractures that need to be treated immediately.
3. Herniated Disk
Also referred to as a slipped disk or ruptured disk, a herniated disk happens when the inside of the disk presses up against the ring of cartilage which causes pressure on the nerve. This pressure is what causes pain and numbness in the middle back and even the arms and legs.
Since the nerve is having such pressure put on it, wherever the nerve travels to can experience a numbness sensation. If you believe you are experiencing pain brought on by a herniated disk, contact us so we can make a proper diagnosis.
4. Muscle Sprain or Strain
Sprains or strains in the back can happen after a sudden movement that causes pressure on the back. Sprains happen when the ligaments are stretched or torn, while strains occur when muscles and tendons are stretched or torn.
This is commonly found in people who lift heavy objects regularly, especially when they do not use proper lifting techniques. If you have recently been lifting heavy objects or lift weights regularly and believe you may have a muscle sprain or strain, you must seek medical attention to prevent further damage.
5. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a disease where the cartilage that covers the joint is broken down, which leads to bones rubbing together. When the bones rub together, it can cause excruciating pain and is a chronic condition. This chronic condition is most common in older adults as joint damage can start to accumulate over time.
Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, meaning it typically gets worse over time. This condition has five stages. The first stage, or stage 0, is when the joint is normal, while the fifth stage, stage 4, is referred to as severe Osteoarthritis.
With severe Osteoarthritis, patients will notice an increase in pain, decrease in their range of motion, joints becoming more unstable, and may be developing bone spurs. Though Osteoarthritis tends to stabilize for most people before reaching stage 4, using treatments to reduce the pain may also help prevent the condition from advancing further.
6. Aging
Our bodies go through many changes as we all age. The natural changes that occur causes wear and tear to our bodies. Middle back pain is typically brought on due to the natural thinning of the bones, the loss of muscle mass, and a decrease in fluids found between the joints in the spine. This tends to happen after the age of 30 but most commonly after the age of 50.
Aging is inevitable, but the pain associated with it does not have to be. By seeking treatments to reduce pain early on, you may prevent symptoms and conditions from worsening.
7. Obesity
Many health issues can occur due to obesity, and pain in the middle back is one of them. If there is a large amount of unhealthy weight put on our skeletal system, it can cause severe pain. Since our backs carry much of our weight, this would lead to back pain from prolonged pressure and may lead to many of the other medical conditions listed above, such as osteoarthritis, muscle strains, muscle sprains, and vertebrae fractures.
If you have been classified as obese or believe you may fall into this category, know that we are here to help you. By choosing to have a healthy lifestyle, you will improve your overall quality of life and prevent yourself from serious health conditions in the future.
8 Ways We Can Treat Your Middle Back Pain
At B3 Medical, we know that back pain can be debilitating and no two patients are the same. Our team works with you to design the perfect treatment plan developed for your specific needs. We have many services available to help treat your pain depending on its exact cause.
1. Injection-Based Treatments
This treatment includes trigger point injection, epidural injection, and facet joint injections that have been proven to relieve pain and increase mobility.
2. Pain Management
Your pain may feel insufferable now, but it is our goal to help you become pain-free with non-surgical options. After we evaluate your condition and pinpoint the exact cause of your pain, we will create a relief plan based on your specific needs. This plan may be altered based on how you respond to treatments once you begin.
3. Platelet Rich Plasma
This treatment is typically used on patients who suffer from tendonitis or mild arthritis. It is used to accelerate the healing process and is generally used with another form of treatment, as an assisting treatment.
4. Chiropractic Care
With their understanding of the spine’s natural alignment, our chiropractors are experts at bringing your body back to its natural alignment. This allows the body to heal itself and provides you with natural relief for your back pain.
5. Physical Therapy
This treatment is generally used for people who have chronic back pain or have suffered an injury. Through physical therapy, our team can provide you with a customized treatment plan to have you reach pain-free and better mobility.
6. Massage Therapy
By massaging and stretching the back muscles, tension can be reduced in the painful areas. This allows for better blood flow and your muscles can heal naturally while you also enjoy improved flexibility.
7. Neuromuscular Therapy
This is a specialized treatment aimed to relieve pain in the soft tissue, which can lead to long-term relief. Neuromuscular therapy balances the nervous system with the muscular and skeletal systems, allowing your body to realign naturally.
8. Back Braces
There are two different types of back braces to choose from depending on what is causing your pain. One option aims to correct the curvature of the spine by straightening it. The other type of back brace assists in stabilizing the core muscles around the spine to promote healing. This back brace also helps to avoid further injury and can reduce pain.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today!
If you are suffering from middle back pain and need to seek relief, we are here to help. Schedule your initial consultation by contacting us at B3 Medical in Wesley Chapel, FL. We understand how back pain can impact you and we want to help improve your quality of life. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us for more information regarding back pain treatment.
