What Causes Pain In The Middle Of Your Lower Back

Dont Wait To Get Relief: Learn More About Your Chronic Back Pain Treatment Options

If you have chronic back pain, chances are youre experiencing more than aching discomfort.

Youre not able to pick up your kids or grandkids. Youre missing out on your favorite activities. Youre not living your best life. And an active physical therapy program can help you get you back to it.

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Referred Pain To And From The Lumbar Spine

Pain in the area of the lumbar spine may be due to important problems that are actually unrelated to the back. Referred pain occurs when a problem in one place in the body causes pain in another place. The pain travels down a nerve.. Sources of referred pain to the low back may include abdominal aneurysm , tubal pregnancy, kidney stones, pancreatitis, and colon cancer. Clues to these maladies include pain that waxes and wanes over a short period, with frequent peaks of intense pain, weight loss, abnormalities found during abdominal exam, and trace amounts of blood in the urine. On the other hand, pain can be referred from the low back and be felt in another location, as is often the case with . For example, it is not rare for a patient with a slipped disc in the lower back to have pain in the back of the thigh, or in the calf or even the foot, and not have any low back pain. This situation requires a doctor to sort out the type of pain and to do the examination required to show that the pain is actually coming from the spine .

Can Your Lungs Hurt In Your Upper Back

In rare cases, upper back pain is indicative of a serious and/or painful medical problem, including lung cancer, kidney stones, or spinal infection. Additionally, because the thoracic spine is linked to the ribs, some people with upper back pain report sharp pain when filling their lungs with air to take a deep breath.

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Category : Limited Physiotherapy Knowledge And Awareness

As participants narratives consistently suggested late physiotherapy referral, the researcher explored participants knowledge and awareness of physiotherapy. Most participants had never heard of physiotherapy and never accessed physiotherapy services prior to being referred by doctors.

I didnt know that physio also would have helped. I didnt know what it entails .

Before physiotherapy, those that were aware of physiotherapy thought it was a healthcare profession that entailed massage or performing exercises with the aid of gym equipment or medication, but the mention of a home exercise programme was absent.

I know that with physio, it could be gym, it could be massage. I thought maybe if there is any exercise, we will do it at the physiotherapy department .

Their knowledge and expectations of physiotherapy were further reinforced by their interactions with doctors.

He told me that they would massage me .

All the participants accounts depicted late/non referral to physiotherapy by their doctors. Patients reported varied reasons that prompted physiotherapy referral. Physiotherapy was sometimes suggested by doctors after exhausting all other options/prolonged medication/as an alternative to surgical intervention. Others were sign-posted to physiotherapy by friends.

He said its like I have taken a lot of medications and the medications are too many so lets add the physio and see how it goes .

Types Of Back Pain: Middle Back Pain Vs Thoracic Back Pain

When it comes to back pain, one size doesnt fit all. Not only can pain occur anywhere along the spine or in the adjoining muscles, but it can vary drastically in intensity and frequency. Because the spine is the casing that protects the most important elements of the Central Nervous System, back pain of any kind can be a warning sign of damage that should be taken seriously. Left untreated, some causes of back pain can lead to permanent spine or nerve damage.

Types of Back Pain

Back pain of any kind can be either acute or chronic. If the pain is acute, symptoms are generally sudden and temporary. In chronic cases, however, the pain returns regularly, over timesometimes unpredictablyand can make everyday activities difficult.

Back pain can occur for a variety of reasons, including the following:

• Narrowing of the spinal canal
• Vertebral fracture
• The natural processes of aging
• Degenerative disc disease

and more

The regions of the back and spine can be separated into multiple sections: the cervical region , the thoracic region , and the lumbar region . The middle back is a somewhat generalized term that refers the area below the ribs and above the hips.

Thoracic Back Pain

• Fever and/or chills
• Nerve pain/numbness/tingling in the legs or lower body
• Severe stiffness, particularly in the morning
• Physical trauma
• Onset of pain before the age of 20
• Onset of pain after the age of 50
• Constant, severe pain that is not helped by changing position

and others

Middle Back Pain

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What Are The Symptoms Of Lower Back Pain

Symptoms of lower back pain can come on suddenly or appear gradually. Sometimes, pain occurs after a specific event, such as bending to pick something up. Other times, you may not know what caused the pain.

Pain may be sharp or dull and achy, and it may radiate to your bottom or down the back of your legs . If you strain your back during an activity, you may hear a pop when it happened. Pain is often worse in certain positions and gets better when you lie down.

Other symptoms of lower back pain include:

• Stiffness: It may be tough to move or straighten your back. Getting up from a seated position may take a while, and you might feel like you need to walk or stretch to loosen up. You may notice decreased range of motion.
• Posture problems: Many people with back pain find it hard to stand up straight. You may stand crooked or bent, with your torso off to the side rather than aligned with your spine. Your lower back may look flat instead of curved.
• Muscle spasms: After a strain, muscles in the lower back can spasm or contract uncontrollably. Muscle spasms can cause extreme pain and make it difficult or impossible to stand, walk or move.

What Does Middle Back Pain Feel Like

When experiencing middle back pain, you feel a pinching and stitching pain around your thoracic spine it’s the place under your ribs. This type of pain can surround your chest and rib area, and you may also feel aches and pain in the heart. It usually radiates from the thoracic spine and can spread all over your back, including the upper and lower back regions.

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Causes Of Severe Leg Pain

There are many potential causes of severe leg pain, and sciatica is just one possible cause. Other potential causes of severe leg pain include: -Bone fractures -Tendon or ligament tears -Muscle strains -Arthritis -Nerve impingement If you are experiencing severe leg pain, it is important to consult with a medical professional to determine the underlying cause.

A sciatica is pain that begins in the lower back, spreads into the buttock, and down one leg. Pressure on the sciatic nerve is commonly caused by a herniated disc, bone spurs, or muscle strain. Leg pain is caused by a variety of causes, ranging from mild to severe. Hip or sacroiliac joint problems can also be the source of leg pain. Rest, ice or heat, massage, pain relievers, and gentle stretching are commonly used to treat sciatica. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can alleviate pain caused by arthritis or other conditions. As a result of steroids, inflammation and swelling of the nerves are reduced.

Unless there is a proven disc herniation, a severe case of cauda equina syndrome, or severe pain that has not been treated, surgery is usually not required. When you have stenosis, there is a chance you will benefit from nerve decompression. If a regular job cannot be performed, a modified job may be offered.

Excessive or Dehydration may be the cause of severe leg pain. Its critical to distinguish between a leg cramp and deep vein thrombosis , which can be much more serious.

How Is Lumbar Strain Diagnosed

In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, diagnosing low back pain may include the following. However, specialized tests aren’t often required.

• X-ray. A diagnostic test that produces images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
• CT scan. This is an imaging test that uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed images of the body. It shows details of the bones, muscles, fat, and organs.

• MRI. This test uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to make detailed images of organs and structures in the body.
• Radionuclide bone scan. A nuclear imaging technique that uses a very small amount of radioactive material, which is injected into your blood to be detected by a scanner. This test shows blood flow to the bone and cell activity in the bone.
• Electromyogram . A test to evaluate nerve and muscle function.

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Arthritis Of The Spine

Arthritis of the spine the slow degeneration of the spinal joints is the most frequent cause of lower back pain. All of us experience wear and tear as we age, and it is normal for your lower back to start acting up as you get older. As the cartilage breaks down between the spinal joints, surrounding tissues may become inflamed. The inflammation and the thinning of cartilage increase friction in the joints, which may cause pain in the lower back.

Sensations That Might Indicate A Medical Emergency

1. Sharp pain rather than a dull ache: This could indicate a torn muscle or ligament, or a problem with an internal organ in the back or side.2. Radiating pain: This pain “moves” or shoots to the glutes or legs, which could indicate a nerve compression condition.

3. Sudden weakness in the legs: Limb weakness can be caused by compressed nerves in the spine due to conditions like sciatica or spinal stenosis. However, sudden leg weakness could also indicate a stroke.4. Incontinence: Back pain paired with inability to control the bowels or bladder might be a sign of serious nerve compression or a spine infection, such as discitis or meningitis.5. Numbness or pins and needles in the groin or glutes: This is known as saddle anesthesia and is also a sign of a serious nerve or spine condition.

If you have leg weakness, incontinence, and numbness together, you might have cauda equina syndrome, a serious illness characterized by spinal cord nerve damage. This is a medical emergency, and patients usually need surgery immediately to decompress the nerves and reduce permanent damage.

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The Most Common Causes Of Lower Back Pain Are A Strain Or Sprain

Whether you notice it or not, your lumbar spine gets put to work throughout the entire day.

Amid all of this work and motion, a lower back sprain or strain can result from an acute injury, such as one experienced while falling, lifting something too heavy or playing sports. A sprain or strain can also develop over time due to repetitive movements or poor posture.

“Straining a muscle or spraining a ligament are the most common causes of lower back pain,” says Dr. Palmer. “While they can be serious, these common causes of lower back pain aren’t long-lasting taking anywhere from a few days to heal or, at most, a few months.”

Your doctor can help you determine the particular course of self-care that can help heal your lower back pain.

“The treatment for a pulled back muscle or strained back ligament is fairly simple and can include pain and anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxers, ice to help reduce inflammation, heat to promote healing, and avoiding strenuous activity until the pain recedes,” explains Dr. Palmer. “The best course of care will depend on the severity of your injury as well as your overall core and lower body strength.”

If your lower back pain persists despite treatment, it may be time to consider other causes of lower back pain.

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In This Section:

What Is Middle Back Pain

Middle back pain is any type of pain or discomfort in the area between your upper and lower back. Healthcare professionals refer to this area as the lower thoracic area or lower thoracic spine. The upper thoracic area or upper thoracic spine makes up part of the upper back. The lumbar spine makes up part of the lower back.

The middle back consists of the spine , spinal cord, nerves, discs, muscles, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons. Any of the structures in the spine or back area can become irritated or inflamed in response to a variety of mild to serious conditions. Middle back pain causes include sports injuries, poor posture, arthritis, muscle strain, and car accident injuries. Middle back pain is not as common as lower back pain because the thoracic spine does not move as much as the spine in the lower back and neck.

Pain in the middle of the back may be either short lived or chronic, which is defined as lasting more than three months. Middle back pain may be described as a dull, annoying ache or a sharp, acute pain. The pain can radiate, or spread, to other areas of your body. The converse is also true pain that is caused by a problem somewhere else in your body can radiate to your middle back.

In some cases, acute back pain can resolve with basic self-care measures within a few weeks, but it can also persist and lead to more serious problems over time.

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Where Is Upper Back Pain Located

The first bone of the upper back begins at the base of the neck, and the 12th bone ends just below the ribcage. Upper back pain can appear anywhere between these bones. Most people describe upper back pain as a burning or pulling sensation in one place, which may be the location of injury or strain.

Could A Health Condition I Have Be To Blame

Lower back pain can also be caused by other things that are going on in your body.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: If the blood vessel that supplies blood to your belly, pelvis, and legs is at risk of rupturing, youâll feel sudden pain in your lower back.

Pregnancy: All that weight out front can put a real strain on your back.

Tumors: They usually donât start in the back, but are part of the spread of a cancer in the spine that started somewhere else in your body.

Infections: Osteomyelitis, discitis, and septic sacroiliitis are uncommon infections that affect the bones, discs, and joints of the spine. Any one of these can cause pain in your lower back. Kidney infections can also cause your back to feel the brunt.

Other issues: Low back pain can also happen because of things like:

• Endometriosis, a buildup of uterine tissue outside the uterus
• Fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread muscle pain

Show Sources

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Is Calf Pain From Dvt Constant Or Intermittent

cramping associated with DVT will last for a long time and become worse as time passes. You will not be able to stretch or remove the horse as a result of this condition. cramps or a throbbing sensation in the buttocks. In many cases, DVT symptoms are caused by a blocked blood vessel.

Calf Pain: When To See A Docto

You should consult a physician if you experience these symptoms: sudden and severe calf pain, leg pain that comes and goes, swelling in the calf, difficulty moving your ankle or foot, or difficulty breathing.

Strengths And Limitations Of This Study

• This is the first study to highlight chronic low back pain beliefs in a Ghanaian context and explicate the individual, structural and contextual factors that underpin patients CLBP beliefs and management in an African context.

• This study used systematic and rigorous data collection and analysis methods, which were consistently validated by the research team comprising expert qualitative researchers.

• Sampling participants from two different geographical locations and varied sociodemographic status strengthens the transferability of the research findings.

• The study could have benefitted from member-checking and a more comparable number of male and female participants.

• This study may not be generalisable to other African contexts, due to cultural and structural variations .

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