Many people suffer from mid-back pain which can be very aggravating at times. Mid-back is the region of the spine that begins just below the neck, and ends at the bottom of the rib cage. The pain is sometimes so excruciating that the affected person feels like being stabbed with a sharp object. As the ribs are attached to this area, mid-back pain can also affect the front or side of the ribs.
Mid-back pain is quite common and in most cases, can be treated without much difficulty. Symptoms of mid-back pain can vary from person to person and there can be various causes that produce mid-back pain. One of the most common causes of mid-back pain is muscle strains. Muscle strains may occur when one tries to lift heavy objects, or exercise too much. If one twists or bends suddenly, this action too may lead to muscle strains. Bad posture, lack of adequate sleep, and obesity are also among the known causes of mid-back pain.
Mid-back pain can also be caused by herniated discs. This condition occurs when a bulge develops in between the vertebrae and spills out into the spinal column. Apart from causing severe pain, it can also cause a nerve in the spinal column to become pinched. In such cases, pain affects not only the mid-back area but also radiates throughout the lower extremities.
Aging is also one of the causes of mid-back pain because of its negative effects. Arthritis is a common disease among older people, which causes inflammation of the joints. In some cases, this inflammation becomes so large that it not only causes difficulty in movements, but also causes nerves in the spinal column to become pinched.
As people get older, prolonged wear and tear on the spine often makes the cartilage worn and thin. As the cartilage between the vertebrae thins, people experience severe pain in moving. Osteoporosis is another disease that decreases bone density raising the chances of bone fracture, even when one tries to lift everyday objects.
In addition to muscle strains and spine problems, other causes of mid-back pain include gastroenteritis and pregnancy. When one has an attack of gastroenteritis, the gas produced in the stomach exerts pressure in the neighboring areas. Mid-back pain occurs when it moves towards the back region. If a pregnant woman suffers from mid-back pain, it is wise to consult a doctor. For, pregnancy may result in metabolic disorders and the pain may occur because of that.
One of the most strange and interesting causes of mid-back pain arises from the blood-sugar control system. Because the nerves to blood-sugar control organs such as liver, pancreas and adrenal glands travel out from this part of the spine, dietary error may lead to such spinal pain.
Giving up smoking and doing regular physical exercise may prevent mid-back pain to some extent. As mid-back pain is mostly caused by muscle strains, this condition can be relieved by simple means like rest. It's also wise to avoid activities like lifting objects or exercising that could worsen the condition. Applying ice packs followed by applying heating pads can also help the tension with a sore muscle. If mid-back pain persists for long, it sometimes may need surgery to address the problem. Fortunately, most cases do not need the use of surgery.
