The symptoms of middle back pain around the rib cage can be very varied. You may experience sharp intense pain or dull aching pain that lingers.
Some people find that their rib cage pain gets worse with deep breathing or certain movements. Common signs also include swelling, bruising and in severe cases difficulty breathing.
For this reason, I’m here to cover symptoms, causes and relief strategies for middle back pain around rib cage.
Key Takeaways
- Middle back pain around the rib cage is common and can be caused by factors like poor posture, muscle strains, and lifestyle choices such as obesity and smoking.
- Symptoms range from sharp pain to dull aches and may worsen with deep breaths; persistent pain could indicate more serious underlying conditions.
- Effective treatment includes chiropractic care, medication, and lifestyle changes like exercise and ergonomic adjustments to maintain good posture and prevent future pain.
Middle Back Pain Around Rib Cage
Middle back pain around the rib cage is a common problem that can affect anyone at any age. Most of the time this type of pain is not from a serious underlying condition but can still be very painful.
Lifestyle factors like obesity and smoking can increase the chances of rib pain. For older adults, age related changes like reduced bone density can increase the risk.
Rib pain that persists and doesn’t get better with standard treatment may be a sign of underlying musculoskeletal issues or chronic conditions like fibromyalgia. Conditions like displaced ribs or bulging discs can cause nerve pain that feels like tingling or sharpness.
Identifying Middle Back Pain Around Rib Cage
This pain can be a sharp stabbing sensation or a dull aching pain that lingers. Symptoms include:
- Stiffness in the shoulder and upper back
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Difficulty breathing
These can hinder daily activities.
Mainly pay attention to where the pain is radiating. For example pain radiating from the rib area can go to the shoulder or abdomen. Pain that persists and doesn’t get better with standard treatment may be a sign of underlying musculoskeletal issues.
Lifestyle factors can increase the chances of back and rib pain. These are:
- Obesity and lack of physical activity which are big contributors.
- Age related changes in bone density and cartilage which is common in older adults.
- Smoking which can worsen the symptoms.
Chronic conditions like fibromyalgia can also cause widespread pain that affects the thoracic spine and ribs.
Common Causes
Various conditions can cause this type of pain including muscle strains, costochondritis and thoracic disc injuries. Mid back and chest pain can arise from poor posture or repetitive activities that strain the musculoskeletal system.
Thoracic back pain is usually from muscular irritation or poor posture not serious spinal pathologies. Conditions like osteoarthritis, kidney stones and herniated discs can also cause middle back pain.
Let’s get into these causes in more detail.
1. Poor Posture
Poor posture is a big contributor to middle back pain around rib cage. It strains spinal and rib joints and stresses the muscles and ligaments. Prolonged poor posture can stress these joints and cause pain and discomfort.
It strains your mid back area. This strain can cause muscle tightness, muscle strains and even herniated discs which worsen the pain.
Posture correction can help alleviate these symptoms.
2. Muscle Strains and Injuries
Muscle strains and injuries are common causes of back pain in the rib area. Repetitive activities or poor posture can cause muscle strains in the back which worsens the rib pain. People involved in contact sports may be more prone to back rib pain due to trauma or injury.
Intercostal muscle strain symptoms include pain along or between the ribs, worsens with deep breathing, rotation or reaching.
This type of muscle strain can cause muscle spasms and myofascial pain including tender spots upon touch.
3. Herniated Disc and Spinal Issues
The thoracic spine supports the rib cage and plays a big role in overall back stability and movement.
A subluxated rib can happen from sudden movements or strenuous activities. Bulging discs or displaced ribs can compress nerves and cause pain in the mid back.
These can cause nerve pain in the mid back characterized by tingling or sharp sensations.
4. Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Disc Disease
Wear and tear on the spine over time can cause inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the middle back and rib area.
5. Fractured or Bruised Ribs
A fall, accident, or direct impact can injure the ribs, leading to localized pain that worsens with movement or breathing.
6. Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
If you’ve had chickenpox, the virus can reactivate as shingles, causing a painful rash that wraps around the rib cage along a nerve path.
7. Gallbladder Issues (Gallstones or Inflammation)
Pain from gallbladder problems can sometimes radiate to the middle back and under the right rib cage, especially after eating fatty foods.
8. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Acid reflux can cause burning pain that sometimes radiates to the chest and middle back.
9. Costochondritis (Rib Inflammation)
This is inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum, often causing sharp, localized pain that may worsen with movement or deep breathing.
Risk Factors and Conditions
Rib pain that persists may be within the musculoskeletal system and needs further evaluation.
Healthcare providers usually take a comprehensive patient history to understand the context of back pain.
Let’s get into the risk factors and conditions that may be causing your back and rib pain.
1. Chronic Pain and Persistent Pain
Chronic pain syndromes need long term management to alleviate symptoms. Persistent rib pain that is unresponsive to standard treatment may be underlying musculoskeletal issues.
Rib pain can also be a sign of serious health problems like kidney stones or infections that needs immediate medical attention.
Muscle spasms and myofascial pain can come from poor posture and create tender spots in muscle groups and can also cause sharp pain.
2. Serious Health Concerns
Serious health concerns like lung cancer are big underlying causes of back pain and often presents with rib related symptoms.
Pulmonary embolism can cause back pain when a blood clot blocks one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs.
Osteoarthritis causes joint cartilage wear and tear which can cause pain and muscle spasms in the spine. Mid back pain that doesn’t move or worsen with deep breathing needs medical attention.
3. Physical Activities
Repetitive lifting and twisting can strain the back and ribs. Overexertion during physical activities can cause muscle strains which can worsen the pain between the ribs and back.
Because of this, poor posture can cause muscle spasms and myofascial pain in the connective tissue. Keep track of physical activities and adjust as needed to reduce back pain.
Diagnosing Middle Back Pain Around Rib Cage
Diagnosing the exact source of middle back pain often requires a combination of physical examination and diagnostic imaging.
A doctor’s visit is necessary to determine the right treatment for back rib pain.
Let’s get into the different diagnostic methods to determine the cause of your pain.
Physical Exam
During physical exam, practitioners will examine the back and ribs, check range of motion and identify areas of tenderness or swelling.
This will help identify structural changes and areas of discomfort.
Healthcare providers will also check for joint tenderness, swelling and flexibility during physical assessment. Pain from intercostal muscle strain can worsen with deep breathing or torso movement.
Imaging Tests and Other Diagnostics
Imaging studies like X-rays or MRIs are often ordered to identify structural issues like fractures or dislocations.
X-rays are good for detecting fractures and alignment issues in the spine.
In this way, imaging tests can show structural issues but may not always show the underlying cause of pain. These tests can provide detailed views of soft tissues and nerve conditions which is important for accurate diagnosis.
Medical Conditions
A thorough medical history including past surgeries and current medications is important to diagnose the cause of back and rib pain. Medical history can reveal patterns from family and the patient’s back pain.
Shortness of breath or severe chest pain needs immediate medical attention.
Treatment for Middle Back Pain Around Rib Cage
Determining the cause of middle back pain is key to treatment and care. Chiropractors and physiotherapists can provide targeted therapy to the middle back.
Moving throughout the day will protect your spine and reduce discomfort.
Let’s get into the treatment options.
Chiropractic and Physiotherapy
A full assessment including the condition and health history and physical exam is done before chiropractic or physiotherapy treatment.
Generally speaking, chiropractic care can improve spinal mobility and reduce discomfort from rib pain.
It often uses manual techniques like stretching and massage before adjusting. These techniques can realign the spine and relieve tension in the muscles around the ribs.
Medication and Over-the-Counter Relief
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to manage middle back pain. Medications like ibuprofen are often prescribed for pain and inflammation.
For more severe pain, prescription medications may include stronger NSAIDs and narcotics. These medications can really help with pain and make daily activities easier.
Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies
Good posture while using computers or sitting for long periods will reduce mid-back strain. Proper ergonomic adjustments like desk height and chair support will reduce back strain.
Daily stretching will improve flexibility and reduce back pain. Regular exercise will strengthen back muscles and lower the risk of middle back pain.
How to Prevent Middle Back Pain Around Rib Cage
As you can see, preventing middle back pain around the rib cage is ergonomic adjustments, regular exercise and monitoring physical activities. Gradual pain is often due to poor posture or repetitive actions that affects the musculoskeletal system.
Good posture and strong supportive muscles will reduce rib pain. Combination of good posture and regular exercise will promote better back health and prevent future pain.
Ergonomic Adjustments
Using a chair that supports the lower back curve will improve comfort and reduce back pain. Chair height and lumbar support is important for good posture while working.
Sounds good, right?
Sit-stand desks allows for frequent position changes and reduces back pain from prolonged sitting. Adjusting the computer screen to eye level will minimize neck and shoulder strain during prolonged use.
Regular Exercise and Stretching
Regular exercise is important for back health, strengthening the muscles that support the spine and improve flexibility. Exercise will reduce the risk of pain in the middle back area by promoting good posture and less muscle stiffness.
Adding simple stretches and exercises like yoga or pilates to your daily routine will help prevent middle back pain.
Stretching will improve flexibility and will help relieve tension in the back muscles and reduce discomfort around the rib cage.
Monitoring Physical Activities
Monitoring physical activities will help you identify the movements that causes discomfort and make adjustments to prevent further strain.
Intercostal muscle strains often occurs during activities that involves sudden movements or excessive exertion.
Monitoring physical activities and making adjustments will reduce back pain. This proactive approach will keep your back healthy and pain free.
Wrap Up
With all of this in mind, Middle back pain around the rib cage is a common discomfort caused by various factors such as muscle strain, poor posture, or underlying conditions like arthritis or rib injuries. It may present as a sharp, dull, or radiating pain, affecting mobility and daily activities.
