Middle Back Pain
The middle and upper back, also called the thoracic spine region, consists of a series of ligaments, muscles and nerves, along with spinal disks and 12 vertebrae – the bones of the spine. Middle and upper back pain is experienced from the base of your neck to the bottom of your rib cage.
This type of back pain can have many causes. It can result from heavy lifting, poor posture, physical injury or disease. It may be a sign of spinal degeneration, such as arthritis or pinched nerves. It also could be the result of muscle strain, neuromuscular disorder, or other neurological issues that affect the spinal cord.
Middle back pain can also be a sign of damaged vertebrae pressing on the nerves in your spinal canal. It can also be linked to other neurological issues that affect the spinal cord.
Middle back pain is common. It affects more than 20% of adults each year and over 80% of adults over their lifetime. It is one of the most common causes of disability and is more likely to develop as you age.
If you are struggling with middle back pain, the UK HealthCare Comprehensive Spine Center is here to help. Within one comprehensive program, you have access to all our specialties: physical medicine and rehabilitation, interventional pain management, orthopaedics and neurosurgery. We will evaluate you at your first visit to determine which treatment path is best for your specific needs.
Overview of symptoms
Common symptoms of middle back pain include:
- Burning, stabbing or throbbing pain in your back
- Loss of bowel control
- Muscle tightness or stiffness
- Numbness or tingling in your chest, arms or legs
- Pain or discomfort when breathing
- Weakness in your arms or legs
Potential diagnoses
Diagnosing your middle back pain will start with a physical exam and medical history. Your doctor may use imaging tests, such as X-ray, myelogram, MRI or a CT scan, to get a clearer picture of what is happening in your back. If a nerve problem is suspected, you may need more tests, such as electromyography (EMG) and/or a nerve conduction study. Lab tests may be needed in certain cases. Every patient is different, and your medical team will rely on a variety of diagnostic tests to make their diagnosis.
A wide range of orthopaedic and neurological conditions can cause middle back pain, including:
- Degenerative disk disease
- Foraminal stenosis
- Fractured vertebrae
- Herniated disk
- Pinched nerve/radiculopathy
- Spinal cysts (ganglion and synovial)
- Spinal infection
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylosis
At the UK HealthCare Comprehensive Spine Center, our multidisciplinary team works together to create the most effective treatment plan for you. Our goal is to help you regain movement and enjoy the best possible quality of life. Using the latest advancements in spine care, our experts offer a comprehensive range of medicines, therapies and surgical techniques tailored to your specific middle back pain issues.