Most cases of mid back pain are caused by muscle strain from too much exercise or a slight injury after a fall. Mild mid back pain can easily be treated with rest and anti-inflammatory medication and it usually gets better within a few days. However, severe mid back pain could be an indication of something more serious, especially if it persists despite rest and pain relieving medication. If you experience persistent severe mid back pain you should seek immediate medical attention to find the cause of the problem and treat it.

Several Potential Causes

If you experience severe mid back pain you will need to undergo medical tests to determine the cause. Severe mid back pain can be the result of damage caused by a traumatic injury, a spinal fracture, arthritis, a herniated disk putting pressure on a nerve, spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, stenosis or degenerative disk disease. It is also common to experience severe mid back pain during pregnancy because of the extra weight carried around the abdomen and an excess of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which sap the strength of muscles and ligaments. Any case of severe mid back pain requires prompt medical evaluation regardless of the ultimate cause.

Diagnosis And Treatment

In order to determine the exact cause of severe mid back pain a patient needs to be subjected to at least one diagnostic test. Diagnostic tests to find the cause of severe mid back pain include the X Ray, CAT scan, myelogram, bone scan, and magnetic resonance imaging scan. One or more of these diagnostic tests can usually pinpoint the precise cause of the problem.

Once the cause of the severe mid back pain has been found it can be treated. The treatment obviously depends on the health condition that is causing the pain. Treatment could include muscle relaxants, prescription strength anti-inflammatory medication, a back brace, physical therapy, chiropractic adjustment or even surgery.

Look After Your Body

By taking good care of yourself you can significantly reduce the chances of developing a health condition that causes severe mid back pain. Keep your weight under control by sticking to a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Ensure that your diet contains some low fat dairy products, since these contain calcium. Make sure that you also take vitamin and mineral supplements each day to keep your bones strong. Sit or stand with correct posture instead of hunching over. Include some resistance work or yoga in your exercise regime so that the muscles of your back remain supple and strong. Crunches and other abdominal exercises are especially beneficial for the muscles and ligaments of the mid back.