Why Does My Back Hurt
One main reason for back pain is poor posture. Technology and our overall sedentary culture have contributed to a country-wide epidemic of slouching and text neck. The more slouched we are every day, the more strain we put on our back muscles, causing tension not only in the muscles, but in vertebral joints too . All of this contributes to pain and tightness in the thoracic spine.
Stretches To Relieve Mid Back Pain
If you are feeling mid-back pain, you can get quick relief with over-the-counter medication, ice packs, and therapeutic massage. But these options only provide temporary relief. Adding mid-back stretches to your routine can provide more permanent relief.
Do not start any new exercise or stretching regimen without consulting your primary care physician or chiropractor. When doing the stretches below, pay attention to your breathing and dont hold your breath. Inhale on the stretch and exhale as you relax. Another way to think about it is: inhale lengthen, exhale soften. But remember that these will be micromovements. Incorporate these stretches into your routine gradually.
As you do these stretches, pay close attention to how you feel. If something doesnt feel right or causes sharp, stabbing pain, carefully move out of the stretch.
The Right Kidney And Ureter Pain
The right kidney and right ureter condition manifest with right loin pain. The right loin pain commonly spreads to the right mid-back.
Causes:
- Infections of the kidney and urinary tract.
- Kidney inflammation.
- Rarely, kidney tumors.
Symptoms :
- Right loin pain: the loin is the area between your ribs and hip. It is the typical site of right kidney and ureter pain.
- The pain can spread to the mid-back at the right side. Also, ureteric pain spreads to the right groin.
- Sudden onset: Food or movement DOESNT trigger renal colics.
- Intense colic that lasts for minutes to few hours.
- Sudden offset: the pain is relieved entirely after the attack. It tends to recure again.
- Movement doesnt decrease either increase the intensity of pain.
- It is associated with intense nausea. Vomiting also occurs with severe pain.
- Change in urine color .
The causes listed below are either rare or rarely spreads to the mid-back at the right.
- Liver: liver inflammation , liver abscesses, or liver cancer.
- Cancers: liver cancer, kidney cancer, bone cancers, lung cancers, pleural cancer , colorectali cancer, abdominal lymphoma, and others.
- Painful skin lesions: painful skin lesion in the mid-back at the right side can cause pain. Also, a lipoma can cause pain when it is large enough.
- Colon pain: localized gas or colon diseases in the right colon can cause pain that spreads to the right mid-backfor example, trapped gas, irritable bowel syndrome, IBD, and colorectali cancer.
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How To Relieve Mid Back Pain
Mid-back pain typically arises due to a muscle strain caused by poor posture, lifting an object improperly, or sudden twisting, often during sports such as basketball, golf or softball. You can normally alleviate the pain caused by minor strains quickly if you follow a conservative treatment plan. Such a plan should include a period of rest followed by exercises to restore your range of motion and strength, according to Dr. William Prentice, a physical therapist and author of the textbook Essentials of Athletic Injury Management.
Other Symptoms That Can Accompany Middle Back Pain
Along with the symptoms mentioned above, middle back pain may also be joined with separate symptoms that include anxiety, depression, fatigue, fever, and headaches. Redness, warmth, or swelling in the back is also associated with middle back pain, as well as sleeping problems, stiffness of the back in the morning, and shoulder, neck, and hip pains.
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Symptoms Of Middle Back Pain
Mid-back pain occurs above the bottom of the rib cage and below the neck. There are many ways the bones, ligaments, muscles, and disks that make up the spine can injure or irritate the nerves and cause mid-back pain. Some common mid-back pain symptoms include:
- Pain either spread over a large part of the mid-back or localized to a specific area
- Discomfort that begins slowly and gradually becomes more intense
- Pain that worsens with specific positions or activities
- Pain that can be sharp, dull, or burning alternate between the three types
In some instances, mid-back pain can signal that a much more serious issue is going on, such as cancer or a disease that affects the lungs, kidneys, or heart. If you have any of the symptoms below, consult a doctor right away:
- Weakness or numbness in the arms, legs, stomach, or chest
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Pressure or pain in your chest
- Vomiting or nausea
- Fever
Sudden onset of upper and mid-back pain in women is a common symptom of a heart attack. If this happens to you, contact your doctor immediately.
Middle Back Exercises To Try
Its important to support your middle back pain stretches with some whole-body exercise and targeted middle back strengthening exercises. Improving your overall level of fitness is a great way to address the mental health aspects of chronic pain as well. A stronger back is also less prone to further injury in the future.
For low-impact exercise, consider beginning a walking program or hopping in a pool three to five times a week. Both of these offer full-body exercise that works well if you are still in the acute stages of injury. Engaging in tai chi or yoga is another great meditative way to slowly increase your fitness level, in both body and mind!
Once you are feeling stronger and can add some cardio, the following are great options:
- Stair climbing
- Using a rowing machine
- Biking
As your fitness level increases, you can also start to add some specific strengthening exercises. Try these three middle back strengthening exercises to start.
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Muscle Sprain Or Strain
Sprains are the tearing or stretching of ligaments. Strains are the tearing or stretching of muscles and tendons. Regularly lifting heavy objects, especially without proper form, can easily cause a person to sprain or strain their back. Sprains and strains can also occur after an awkward, sudden movement.
Tips For Easing Back Pain
Use these self-care tips to ease your back ache and pain associated with arthritis.
1. Relief is Possible
2. Get Wet
3. Move and Strengthen It
4. Find Your Zen
5. Cinch It In
6. Trim It Down
7. Visit China
8. Manipulate It
9. Apply Pressure
10. Put It Together
11. Medicate It
Managing Pain
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What Are Some Upper Back Pain Risk Factors
Say you havent seen the doctor yet about your upper back pain, but youre pretty sure its not an acute injury. After all, you havent taken up a new sport. Maybe you barely have time to exercise, much less overdo it.
Believe it or not, that actually increases your risk of back injury. When youre physically active, the muscles in your belly and backyour corehelp support your spine. If youre sedentary, you might have weak muscles that contribute to upper back pain.
Lack of exercise is one of several factors that can increase your risk of upper back pain. Others include:
Excess weight. Since your spine supports the weight in your torso, excess weight could stress your back. Belly fat, in particular, is a problem: If you carry a lot of weight in your midsection, it can strain the soft tissues in your back. Conversely, weight loss can reduce pain though research suggests it may be even more effective as part of a holistic strategy that includes pain management strategies.
Belly fat can contribute to upper back pain, but weight loss can help relieve it.
Psychological conditions. Experts arent sure why, but you might be more likely to have back pain if you have depression and anxiety. In fact, some research suggests that people who have depression have worse back pain than people without depression.
Middle Back Pain: Causes Symptoms And Treatment Options
Written byDevon AndrePublished onJanuary 24, 2017
Pain in the middle of the back can put a damper on your day and affect your ability to complete simple tasks. The middle of the back is made up of 12 thoracic vertebrae and their interlocking facet joints and discs, as well as the different muscles, tendons, and ligaments that allow movement. Because this section of the back is attached to the ribs, it is much more rigid and unable to bend and stretch in the way the upper and lower back can, meaning the discs of the middle back do not experience the same level of degradation as those in other areas. Instead, middle back pain is often a result of strained muscles or stressed joints between the ribs and vertebrae.
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Middle Back Pain Symptoms
Some common middle back pain symptoms include:
- Pain that is either localized or spread over a large area
- Discomfort with a slow onset that gradually increases in intensity
- Pain made worse by certain activities or positions
- Variable pain that can be dull, sharp, or burning
In some cases, upper and middle back pain can be a sign of much more severe issues such as a cancerous tumor and diseases that affect the heart, lungs, and kidneys. If you experience any of the following symptoms, make sure you consult a physician immediately:
- Numbness or weakness in your extremities, chest, or stomach
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Chest pain or pressure
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever
Upper and middle back pain is also a common symptom of heart attack in women. If the onset of pain is sudden without any physical trauma, contact your doctor immediately.
Other Causes Of Middle Back Pain
Middle back pain can range in severity and be explained by a number of things, ranging from tight muscles to cancer. Some of the more frequent causes of pain in the middle of the back are:
- Weak muscles that hinder movement and do not support the back properly
- Frequent and incorrect use of knapsacks that are too heavy or weighted improperly
- Trauma from a fall or car accident
- Long periods of poor posture
- Slipped or herniated disks
- Repeated heavy lifting
- Injuries due to sports
If your pain is not related to a known cause such as injury, poor posture, or improper use of a knapsack, it is important to speak with your doctor about potential causes, as middle back pain can be associated with more serious conditions such as osteoporosis, scoliosis, and some cancers.
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Exercises For Upper And Middle Back Pain
Pain in the upper and/or middle back can be quite limiting and interfere with daily activities. To help alleviate this pain, consider stretching and strengthening the muscles that support your thoracic spine . Here are 5 common exercises to try.
See Early Treatments for Upper Back Pain
Exercise And Physical Therapy
Bed rest, which used to be what doctors advised for back pain, may do more harm than good. It could slow your recovery and cause new problems.
With acute pain, you should be able to start normal, easy activity, like walking, within a few days. After that, gradually ramp back up to your usual exercise level.
Strengthening both your abdominal and back muscles helps stabilize your spine. Pilates exercises build these core muscles. You can help prevent further back injury by learning — and doing — gentle stretching exercises and the right way to lift things.
Exercising in the water is especially safe for a sore back. The water supports some of your weight, which can make you more comfortable, and it offers gentle resistance, which builds your strength. Aquatic therapy can make you more flexible and lessen pain for chronic low back problems.
Yoga may help your flexibility, strength, and sense of balance. It’s good for stress relief, which will also help you deal with the pain.
Physical therapy focuses on managing or preventing injuries or disabilities. PT helps relieve pain, promote healing, and restore function and movement.
Your treatment plan may involve visits to a specialist called a physical therapist. They focus on easing pain with passive or active therapy. Examples of passive physical therapy include:
- Manual therapies
Examples of active physical therapy include:
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Top 5 Mid Back Pain Relief Tips
Are you dealing with mid back pain that feels almost unbearable? If so, check out these top mid back pain relief tips.
Back pain is the number one ailment that prevents Americans from living an active life. It affects people at every age, gender, and ability level.
Mid back pain is especially hard to handle. It leaves those in chronic back pain unsure of how to relieve it.
The causes of back pain vary. They can range from improper posture to enduring a car accident. Its extremely likely that you will experience mid back pain at some point in your life, if not already.
How can you find mid back pain relief? Keep reading for the five best solutions.
Middle Back Pain Stretches And Exercises To Relieve Pain
Lower back pain is a common complaint across the globe and its one of the leading causes of disability. What gets less attention but is arguably harder to treat than lower back pain is middle back pain. Middle back pain can be a complex condition, with many patients never finding out the root cause of it. The middle back is a complex part of the spine: its job protecting the vital organs is crucial, but its also susceptible to stubborn pain. If you suffer from middle back pain, here are some stretches and exercises that can help. As always, talk to your doctor to ensure these exercises will be helpful for your unique case.
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Simple Exercises For Upper And Middle Back Pain
Back pain can really put a damper on your day-to-day routine. Find out some common causes for upper and middle back pain and simple exercises that can help!
There are many causes of upper and middle back pain, and most of them are related to overuse or strain. Poor posture, overdoing it in the yard or lifting something too heavy for you can all put strain on your upper and middle back, causing injury and pain. For mild to moderate pain, these exercises can help give you some relief.
As always, talk to a doctor if your pain is severe or doesnt seem to be going away. If you have a serious injury, you may need to rest and recover before working on stretching and strengthening, and a physical therapist can be a big help. There are also rare cases where upper and middle back pain can signal something more serious, like gallbladder disease or even cancer, so definitely talk to a doctor if youre in pain for more than a couple of weeks.
Even with muscle strain, back pain can impact different people differently. Dont think of this list of exercises as a hard-and-fast routine. Instead, try these out, and cherry-pick the ones that work best for you. And if something hurts, back off or stop the exercise. You dont want to make your pain worse!
Causes Of Middle Back Pain
What are some of the most common causes of middle back pain and when should you be concerned? Read on to learn more about why you may be experiencing discomfort in the middle of your back.
Poor posture: One of the most common causes of middle back pain is poor posture, especially if you sit at a desk for long periods of time. Hunched posture can cause tightness in the muscles of the middle of your back, so if you have a desk job, it is important to be mindful of how you are sitting. Try to sit up straight and stretch your shoulders often to keep the muscles in your back loose.
Muscle strain: Whether your job involves heavy lifting or you practice weight-lifting in the gym, ensuring you do so using correct form is crucial to preventing middle back pain. The pain experienced in the middle back associated with lifting improperly is due to muscle strain that can make your job or fitness routine extremely difficult and painful. Be sure to use the proper lifting technique to prevent thisbend at the knees and use your legs to help lift the weight, and carry the heavy mass close to your body to reduce the risk of painful muscle strain.
Vertebral fractures: More common in elderly persons, these fractures often occur in those with the bone-weakening disease osteoporosis. Prevent vertebral fractures by eating a calcium rich diet and taking the appropriate medications to help strengthen your bones.
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Exercise To Loosen Muscles
Although it may seem counterintuitive to exercise when lower back pain is causing you grief, the right kind of movement can help eliminate the discomfort. Its always important to consult your physician before you engage in exercise when you have pain, but this conversation is well worth having if youre suffering.
First, you should keep in mind that not all exercise is beneficial in combating back pain. Try to avoid toe-touch exercises and sit-ups, which may add to the stress on your spine instead of relieving it. Leg lifts are another exercise to stay away from when you are hurting. If your core is not strong, leg lifts could be too demanding on your body if youre already experiencing pain.
Several types of exercises can be useful when you need to relieve back pain. Partial crunches can aid in strengthening your core without applying too much pressure to the area. Slow and controlled wall-sit exercises may also be useful. Other repetitions to consider include bringing each knee to the chest in succession, pelvic tilts, and swimming.
