Localized Mid Back Pain

Has your mid back suddenly become painful or difficult to move? Does it hurt between your shoulder blades when twisting, reaching, lifting, or taking a deep breath? Some episodes begin suddenly after lifting, twisting, or an awkward movement. Others develop gradually after prolonged sitting, computer work, or repetitive daily activities.

The fact that your pain stays mainly between your shoulder blades is actually an important clue. Muscle spasms often develop as the body's natural way of protecting an injured area by limiting movement. Although this can make your mid back feel tight or "locked," it doesn't necessarily mean you've suffered a serious injury.

If your pain is travelling around your chest wall rather than staying mainly in your mid back, please click here to learn about radiating mid back pain.

Ongoing mid back pain most commonly comes from biomechanical irritation of spinal joints and the associated ribs with secondary protective muscles spasm or splinting.

In many patients, more than one structure becomes irritated at the same time, making it important to identify the underlying injury rather than simply treating the protective muscle spasm. That's why an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment.

Episodes of uncomplicated mid back pain that resolve without treatment in a few days is suggestive of a simple pulled or stained muscle without any underlying biomechanical problem.

If your pain and muscle spasms continue beyond a couple of days there is usually an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. The muscles surrounding the mid back remain tight because they're trying to protect the irritated area, so this is not simply a weak muscle that needs strengthening or a tight muscle that needs stretching. Unfortunately, these stereotypical recommendations often lead to further irritation.

Yes. The good news is that most localized mid back pain responds very well to chiropractic care once the source of the problem has been accurately diagnosed. Over the past 30 years, I have had the privilege of helping thousands of patients with mid back pain, with most pain free and back to pre-injury activity in as little as 1–4 visits.

If your mid back pain hasn't improved after a few days, keeps returning, or is interfering with your sleep, exercise, work, or normal daily activities, it's time to have it evaluated.

Different mid back conditions often produce remarkably similar symptoms, but don't all require the same treatment. An evaluation is designed to determine exactly what's causing your pain so the right treatment can be recommended from the beginning.