The middle part of the back is referred to as the Thoracic section of the spine, and comprises 12 vertebrae, which serve to protect the spinal cord. There are shock absorbing discs between the vertebrae which provide the spine with its flexibility, assisted by back muscles and tendons for back stability.

Middle back pain is a common ailment among people, occurring almost as frequently as the common cold, and there are many different problems associated with the onset of middle back pain, but usually the pain results from back muscle strains caused by—

Some Causes of Middle Back Pain.

-          Too much exercise causing strain and overwork of the back muscles.

-          Repeated bending and lifting heavy objects.

-          Having a bad posture while either sitting or standing.

-          The  natural aging process leading to arthritis, which can cause pinching of the nerves in the spinal column.

-          Decrease in bone density due to osteoporosis can cause the discs between the vertebrae to thin making movement difficult and creating middle back pain.

A further cause of middle back pain can be attributed to a herniated disc. When a disc between the vertebrae is damaged or becomes thin, the disc becomes displaced (slipped disc) and  bulges outwards , this can create extreme pain in not only the middle back but can spread to the lumbar, or lower back region.

Very often the back pain is not confined to the middle of the back, but can be experienced as aches in the middle left or middle right side of the back. The causes for these left/right conditions are usually as outlined above unless some injury has occurred to a specific location.

As has been said, most pains in the middle of the back are due to strained muscles and the symptoms can easily be relieved by simple treatment.

Treatment of Middle Back Pain.

-          A little rest is normally the best form of treatment, but staying in bed for more than 2 days is not recommended since the condition can become aggravated.

-          Initially it is wise to avoid any strenuous lifting or bending, get back into the normal activity routine slowly, and gradually.

-          Tension in the back muscles can be relieved by the application of a heated pad or ice pack to the area.

-          Self- therapy is a great help also, bending and stretching exercises, carried out gradually, are usually beneficial for the relief of middle back pain.

If the above simple treatments are not successful and the pain persists, then a doctor should be visited to have a more probing diagnosis carried out, but with middle back soreness, drastic actions such as back surgery, are unlikely to be called for.

Adopting a good posture, getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle go a long way in preventing aches and pains in the back, whether it is the lower, middle or lower back, a little prevention is well worth the effort.

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