Mid back pain isn’t as prevalent as neck pain or lower back pain; however, it has become more prominent in today’s society. The structures of your upper and mid back can become irritated or inflamed in response to a variety of mild to serious conditions.
The mid back is made up of twelve thoracic vertebrae and their interlocking facet joints and discs, along with muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the structure and allow movement. Ribs are attached to each vertebra. The ribs wrap all the way around your body, protecting your vital organs. This rigid cage does not allow your mid back to bend and twist as much as your neck and lower back, so we see much less wear-and-tear type problems in this area.
Mid back pain has many different causes, including sports injuries, poor posture, arthritis, disease, muscle strain, trauma suffered in a car accident, or even pain radiating from neck injuries such as whiplash. Other common causes can include: