From the Files of Dr. Jason Markijohn: Mid-Back Pain

By Dr. Jason Markijohn

Pain in your mid-back is most commonly caused by over-working your mid-back muscles. When your muscles are over-worked they become tight and inflamed. When a muscle becomes tight, it fails to get the proper supply of oxygen, blood and nutrients. When there is a decrease in blood flow, oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, the muscles then begin to shut down and usually cause a dull achy pain or a feeling of weakness. These muscles also attach to the vertebrae in your neck and thoracic region. If a muscle is continuously tight it will pull on the bone that it is attached to, thus creating pain in the facet joint.

How does this happen? Prolonged computer or desk work and repetitive motions at work in addition to poor posture and weakened muscles or repetitive lifting and bending motions .
 

Many times there is an imbalance of the anterior muscles such as pecs and subscapularis that pull the shoulder forward. When this occurs the rotator cuff and mid-back muscles begin to fatigue and weaken, due to trying to pull the shoulder back into it normal position. The mid-back muscles connect to your neck and spine. If your job involves repetitive motions such as answering phones, typing on the computer or even just sitting at a desk all day, you have probably noticed mid-back or neck pain towards the end of the day. Your mid-back muscles are constantly in a contracted position and we fail to give them a break. Eventually these muscles will become shortened, stiff and can be very painful.

Dr. Jason Markijohn, DC at Cherry Creek Spine & Sport Clinic has extensive knowledge of the common spinal problems that cause headaches in addition to the more rare diseases which occasionally cause the same symptoms. Call 303-759-5575 to schedule an initial consultation.

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