Breathing is something we do subconsciously thousands of times a day, so it’s easy to see why life can become uncomfortable in a hurry if a back problem is causing discomfort each time you take a breath. But what type of back problems can lead to discomfort when breathing in and out? In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some spine conditions that you might be dealing with if you are experiencing pain or discomfort when breathing.
Back Injuries That Cause Pain When Breathing
Your spine is in close proximity to your lungs, but that doesn’t guarantee that your breathing challenges are caused by a spinal condition. For example, lung, kidney and heart issues may feel like the pain is coming from your back when you’re actually experiencing a problem with one of these organs. But for the sake of this blog, we’re going to assume that your breathing issue is caused by a spinal issue. Here’s a look at a few different conditions that may be to blame:
- Muscle Strain – If you’ve recently put a lot of physical stress on your spine, it’s possible that you strained a muscle that is leading to noticeable pain when you breathe in and out. Most minor to mild spinal muscle strains feel better within a few days or a week, and breathing becomes easier even sooner. If you’re still dealing with pain while breathing after a few days, there may be more going on than a simple muscle strain.
- Disc Herniation – Your spinal discs act as a cushion between vertebral segments, but if too much stress is placed on these discs, the soft inner nucleus can break through the tough outer shell. This is called a disc herniation, and if disc material compresses or irritates nearby spinal nerves, you may experience localized or radiating pain. These symptoms may be more noticeable when you draw a deep breath. If you developed severe or shooting discomfort when bending over or lifting a heavy object, it’s possible that a disc in your spine herniated.
- Vertebral Fracture – If you suffer acute trauma to the spine, it’s possible that you end up fracturing one or more vertebrae in your spinal column. This can lead to sharp or dull pain, and you may notice that discomfort ebbs and flows with different activities, like standing, laying down or breathing. You may not know that you suffered a vertebral fracture until you receive a diagnosis, but because it typically takes significant trauma for a vertebral segment to fracture, it’s probably pretty obvious that your breathing difficulty is connected to the physical trauma you recently experienced to your spine.
- Scoliosis – Scoliosis is a condition categorized by an abnormal curvature of the spine, and if this curvature disorder ends up putting more pressure on the thoracic portion of your spine, breathing could become a little more difficult. This tends to be more common in teens and children who are experiencing more rapid bone growth in their spine. If your child has a slouched, hunched or visibility crooked spine, it’s time to have a conversation with a spine specialist before the curvature worsens and other issues like breathing problems develop.
If breathing has become harder or it is presenting with other concerning symptoms like severe pain, dizziness or fever, seek medical attention right away, as it may be a sign of a more serious health issue. If breathing has simply become a little more uncomfortable after putting a lot of strain on your spine, there’s a good chance that one of the above issues is to blame, and if that’s the case, we can help. For more information, or for help with a different spinal issue, reach out to Dr. Jackman’s office today at (651) 430-3800.
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