Why does the left side of my back hurt when i breathe

Having back pain and trouble breathing can be particularly concerning, especially if you’re unsure about the cause. Here are some potential reasons why back pain and shortness of breath may occur together, as well as when to see a doctor.

Intercostal muscle strain

If one or more of the intercostal muscles are strained, breathing may become more difficult as the pain can worsen while the rib cage expands and contracts. Read: Upper Back Pain from Intercostal Muscle Strain

The intercostal muscles run between adjacent ribs and play an important role in expanding and contracting the rib cage when breathing. If one or more of these muscles are strained along the back, the symptoms can range from a mild tenderness or stiffness to intense, sharp back pain. Breathing may also become more difficult as the pain can worsen while the rib cage expands and contracts.

See Intercostal Muscle Strain Symptoms and Diagnosis

An intercostal muscle can be strained in various ways, such as:

• Overuse/overexertion. Doing an excessive amount of an activity that uses the intercostal muscles, such as rowing, can cause a muscle to overstretch and develop small tears. A sudden or awkward movement can also strain a muscle.
• Direct trauma. A collision or fall that directly impacts the ribs and connecting muscles could injure one or more of the intercostal muscles.

See Causes of Intercostal Muscle Strain

An intercostal muscle strain typically starts to feel better within a few days and fully heals within 6 to 8 weeks. To help manage the initial pain, which may be severe, some people find relief from ice, heat packs, or over-the-counter pain medications. It is also advised to modify or reduce activities for a few days to protect the strained muscles from further injury. If the pain is severe, prescription medication may be required after evaluation by a physician.

See Treating Intercostal Muscle Strain

Severe kyphosis

When the thoracic spine is curved at least 50 degrees, it is commonly referred to as kyphosis. If the condition progresses, it may cause trouble with breathing, walking, and other basic functions. Read: Thoracic Kyphosis: Forward Curvature of the Upper Back

A healthy thoracic spine (upper back) is slightly curved forward, which is called a kyphotic curve or kyphosis. However, if the thoracic spine is curved at least 50 degrees, it is considered hyperkyphosis, also commonly referred to as kyphosis.

If a patient is still growing, kyphosis is commonly treated with a brace in an effort to prevent it from progressing to the point of causing troubles with breathing, walking, and other basic functions. Special exercises to improve posture may also be advised to help prevent kyphosis from worsening. If kyphosis has progressed to the point of causing breathing troubles, surgery may be needed.

See Kyphosis Causes and Treatment

Other potential causes

Some other causes of back pain with breathing troubles include:

• Rib displacement or fracture. When a rib becomes fractured or displaced, the pain can potentially become quite sharp or intense, especially when breathing or taking deep breaths. Sometimes a rib displacement or fracture can be accompanied by an intercostal muscle strain, which can also contribute to pain while breathing.

  See Thoracic Vertebrae and the Rib Cage

• Severe scoliosis. The abnormal sideways twisting and rotation of the spine, called scoliosis, can in rare cases become severe enough to affect breathing. Sometimes both scoliosis and kyphosis are present together.

  See Scoliosis: Symptoms, Treatment and Surgery

• Allergic reaction. Some people may be at risk for developing an allergic reaction to some medications for back pain, such as muscle relaxants. Several troubling signs and symptoms could indicate an allergic reaction to back pain medication, such as difficulty breathing, chest tightness, swelling in the throat (or arms or legs), and/or hives.

  See Side Effects and Risks of Muscle Relaxers

Other potential causes of back pain and breathing problems that can be quite serious include infection and/or blood clots.

When to see a doctor

Any unexplained shortness of breath or breathing problems need to be evaluated by a medical professional. Additionally, seek medical attention if back pain does not go away on its own within a couple weeks or if other troubling signs are present, such as pain that radiates to the chest, or any tingling, numbness, or weakness that persists.

Learn more:

Upper Back Pain Symptoms

All About Upper Back Pain

7 Possible Causes of Back Pain When Breathing

Here are seven possible reasons why you may be experiencing back pain when breathing.

Strained Back Muscle

An injury to your back can cause a strained muscle. Common causes of strained back muscles include car accident injuries and sports injuries. You could also suffer a strained back muscle due to repetitive use or stress on your back. A strained muscle can cause sudden pain when moving. Taking a deep breath expands your lungs and can put pressure on tender, sore muscles in your back. In many cases, a strained back muscle can go away on its own with proper rest after an injury. A diagnosis from a car accident doctor or back pain specialist can also help determine the best course of treatment for you.

Bruised or Broken Rib

An injury to the ribs can lead to a bruised or broken rib. Rib injuries can make even the simplest movements like breathing or laughing lead to pain in your back. Middle back pain when breathing could be the result of a bruised or broken rib. A bruised or broken rib will typically cause muscle spasms or twitching in the area and result in tenderness around the injured area. Because the symptoms of a bruised rib and a broken rib are similar, your doctor will typically need to run diagnostic imaging tests to determine the most accurate diagnosis. An X-ray or CT scan can support the diagnosis of a bruised or broken rib that is causing you pain while breathing.

Herniated Disc

Spinal discs are located in between each of the vertebrae in your spine and help provide support and absorb shock. Each disc has a tough outer layer with a gel-like nucleus. Injury or wear and tear on a spinal disc can cause it to crack and the nucleus to spill out. This is known as a herniated disc. If you suffer a herniated disc, you might experience pain and tenderness in the area that gets worse with certain movements like taking a deep breath. Other common symptoms of a herniated disc include tingling and numbness, muscle weakness, and symptoms that extend elsewhere in the body, like your arms or legs.

Fractured Vertebra

A sudden or traumatic injury to the spine can cause a fractured vertebra. A fracture is the medical term for a broken bone. If you suffer a fractured vertebra, it can cause significant pain that gets worse with even the smallest of movements. Depending on the location of the fractured vertebra, you may notice upper back pain when breathing. Damage to a bone in your spine can put pressure on your spinal cord and central nervous system. Other symptoms of a fractured vertebra include tingling, numbness, and weakness. A fractured vertebra will require medical attention as soon as possible, especially if you notice bladder dysfunction or a complete loss of bowel function.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is commonly diagnosed during adolescence and refers to an abnormal curvature of the spine. As our bodies develop and grow, the spine should extend in a straight line from your head to your hips. In cases of scoliosis, the spine can curve abnormally, and you may notice uneven shoulders or one hip set higher than the other. Developmental issues and genetics play a large part in whether someone experiences scoliosis. Scoliosis can put pressure on the ribcage and parts of the spine near important internal organs like the heart and lungs. This can cause back pain that may increase with breathing.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a serious infection that can cause inflammation in your lungs. The air sacs in your lungs may fill with fluid, which can make breathing difficult. Pneumonia can occur in one or both of your lungs, and symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening. Pneumonia can cause symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, fever, fatigue, and chills. Pneumonia can also lead to pain in your chest, abdomen, and back that gets worse with coughing and breathing. In severe cases, pneumonia may require hospitalization.

Heart Attack

A heart attack refers to a serious condition where blood supply is cut off from the heart. Not all people experience the same symptoms of a heart attack. More commonly known heart attack symptoms include chest pain and difficulty breathing. You may also start to sweat and feel nauseous or like you have indigestion. A heart attack can also cause pain that extends into your left arm. A heart attack can cause serious pain or pressure on your back and chest, making small movements like breathing feel unbearable.

Back Pain Diagnosis & Treatment

Find out what is causing your back pain while breathing so you can get started on the most appropriate treatment. In many cases, back pain while breathing can be treated with non-surgical back pain treatment options like chiropractic care. Whether you are dealing with acute or chronic back pain, a chiropractor or back pain specialist can help. Visit AICA Orthopedics in Atlanta to learn more about our personalized back pain treatment plans. We offer comprehensive care and treat your symptoms along with the root cause of your pain. You shouldn’t have to live with back pain, and starting with conservative and natural approaches to back pain treatment allow you to experience lasting relief.

When I take a deep breath My back hurts on the left side?

Why is there a sharp pain in my upper left back when I breathe?