Our bodies can certainly be mysterious — and strange aches and pains are some of the confusing signs our bodies can send. But what does it mean when your back hurts each time you take a deep breath? Erik Ekstrom, M.D., back, neck, and spine specialist at Summit Orthopedics, explains some of the diagnostic possibilities from an orthopedic perspective.
First, a caveat: back pain with breathing is not necessarily an orthopedic issue at all. It could be anything from a sign of a heart problem, to a gastrointestinal issue, to a symptom of anxiety. “Deep breaths can shift internal organs like the kidneys and intestines, causing discomfort, and it could also be a problem with the lungs,” Dr. Ekstrom said. For those reasons, it’s important to talk with your primary care doctor to rule out nonorthopedic causes.
But if other causes have been ruled out, it may be time to consider the back itself. “There are a range of spine-related conditions that could come into play with a symptom like this,” Dr. Ekstrom said.
Back muscle spasms with deep breaths
“There are multiple structures that support the back, including many muscles,” Dr. Ekstrom said. “Those muscles can spasm when they are stretching, as would be the case when you take a deep breath.”
The intercostals — the muscles between the ribs that are used for breathing — are likely culprits, but muscle spasms can affect any muscle group, including the abdominals, the spinal muscles, and the pelvic floor muscles. “Spasms in any one of those muscle groups could cause pain with a deep breath,” Dr. Ekstrom said.
Increased pressure with deep breaths
Another possible cause is increased pressure. “Breathing increases the intra-abdominal pressure on spine. Taking deep breaths, coughing, bearing down — all of these should not cause pain, but if you have a spinal problem, the increased pressure could worsen it,” Dr. Ekstrom said. For example, a herniated disc or nerve impingement could cause pain with deep breathing.
But ultimately, Dr. Ekstrom said, even deep breathing shouldn’t cause back pain. “So if you’re having a recurring issue with back pain when you take deep breaths, it may necessitate a higher-level review,” he said. “I’d encourage anyone having these symptoms to come in for a consult, where we can take images of your spine and help you determine what is happening.”
Our back specialists diagnose spine problems and design custom treatment plans built on a conservative, nonsurgical approach. Most patients find relief through treatments including guided injections, specialized physical therapy, biofeedback, exercise, activity modification, and medication.
Start your back, neck and spine journey with Summit. We are your spine expert,schedule an appointment online, or call us at(651) 968–5201to schedule a spine consultation.
Inflammation of the lining of the lung (a condition known as pleurisy) or the cartilage in the rib cage (known as costochondritis) can both cause a sharp pain in the chest that may radiate to the back whenever you take a deep breath.
Upper back pain can occur when breathing, especially when taking a deep breath. Possible causes range from muscle strain to asthma, anxiety, and heart problems. Pain in the upper back when breathing usually extends around the chest. A sharp pain could be a sign of pleurisy or a heart attack.
Several conditions can cause chest pain when breathing deeply. These include inflammatory conditions, such as pleurisy, pericarditis, and pneumonia. COVID-19 can do the same, as well as COPD and pulmonary embolism. Lung cancer can also cause chest pain when breathing deeply.
Pleurisy, which is inflammation in the lining of the lungs, can cause sharp pains in the back and chest. This can often be the result of a viral or bacterial infection. Asthma, a chronic, long-term infection of the lung, may also cause pain in your back. Costochondritis is inflammation of rib cage cartilage.
Your back cracks when gas bubbles form and pop between your facet joints. Let's back up for a second and look at the anatomy of your back. The spine has vertebrae, and facet joints connect to these vertebrae. And each facet joint is surrounded by a joint capsule, filled with synovial fluid.
Luckily, not every twinge is a cause for serious concern. Treatment options are plentiful and range from chiropractic adjustment, massages, over the counter medications, physical therapy, natural remedies, and consults with doctors.
Always seek immediate medical care or call emergency services right away if you experience intense, unexplained back or chest pain while breathing or any other suddenly emergent symptoms, such as severe shortness of breath. You may need prompt medical attention for a serious or life-threatening health condition.
Lung pains are deep, stabbing pains that usually occur in the upper back near where your shoulder blades meet at your spine. They're often felt as if something were stuck under your shoulder blade–like someone was jabbing you with an ice pick every few seconds!
The diaphragm is a large, thin muscle at the bottom of the chest. Due to the position of the stomach just below the diaphragm, pain when breathing can feel as though it is in the stomach when it is actually coming from the diaphragm or other nearby chest muscles and tissues.
Pleurisy is inflammation around the lungs, which causes sharp chest pain. It's easy to treat and usually gets better in a few days, but can sometimes be a sign of something more serious, like pneumonia.
Yes, sometimes chest pain from lung conditions can radiate to the shoulders, neck, and back. Where is the lung pain felt in the back? Due to the location of the lungs, most lung conditions cause pain in the upper-to-middle regions of the back.
What Causes Upper Back Pain? The common causes of upper back pain stem from inflammation and micro-tears in the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the upper back or from arthritis, herniated disks, vertebral stenosis, or misalignments in the thoracic or cervical spine.
Yes, pneumonia has been connected with pain usually caused in the upper back. If the pain is localized in one part of the body, it is likely to be related to lung issues. Back pain has been experienced in 25% of lung cancer cases, so it's best to check for this as well.
Morning back pain can stem from a problem with sleeping posture, mattress, or pillows. However, waking up with lower back pain can also indicate an underlying condition, such as degenerative disc disease or fibromyalgia. Waking up with back pain can slow down a person's start on the day.
Although natural back cracking is typically considered to be safe, intentional and continuous back cracking should be avoided. Forcefully cracking your back may not have repercussions the first time around. However, a back cracking habit can lead to concerning injuries, including: Pinching a nerve.
Lung pains are deep, stabbing pains that usually occur in the upper back near where your shoulder blades meet at your spine. They're often felt as if something were stuck under your shoulder blade–like someone was jabbing you with an ice pick every few seconds!
Patients with kidney stones often report having a hard time taking deep breaths, as it increases the sharp pain that often leaves people winded. The pain can radiate to your abdomen.
Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
