Why does my lower back hurt when i breathe in the morning

Why does my back hurt when I breathe? Here are 6 science-backed reasons why

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “why does my back hurt when I breathe?” you’ve come to the right place.

Back pain can occur in various ways, even when you’re simply breathing. However, don’t be alarmed yet.  

It might not be as bad as you expect. In most cases, anyone can treat simple back pain at home. In this blog post, let’s explore why your back hurts when you breathe deeply and how you can fix it. 

6 Possible Reasons on Why My Back Hurts When I Breathe

How to Treat Back Pain From Breathing?

Use a Massage Gun to Relieve the Pain

When your back is sore from a long day, it’s too painful to move. And that’s why, you deserve to treat yourself with a massage now and then. 

A massage gun, like the Hydragun, is basically your at-home massage therapist. It targets and kneads the deep knots in your body until you can relax without pain.

Try the Hydragun now, the top favorite from Olympic athletes like Taylor Mckeown and Siobhan Haughey. 

Strengthen Your Back Muscles

Consider this: if your back muscles are weak, they can’t fully support your body weight. As a result, your shoulders and neck will slump, too, trying to overcompensate and failing. 

To avoid this scenario, include back-strengthening exercises in your routine. Great examples of such are push-ups and standing wall angels.

When Do I See A Doctor?

If you’re experiencing the following symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.

• Severe chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Coughing up blood
• Bowel dysfunction
• Numbness or tingling sensation

You can also use Hydragun to relieve back pain – but make sure to consult with your doctor first. Check out the video tutorial below on how you can use it to massage your back: 

Don’t Tolerate Your Back Pain, Treat the Problem Immediately

Asking the question, “why does my back hurt when I breathe?” is just the first step.

When something in your body hurts, it’s calling out for help. Whether you need to rest up, change your habits, or build a solid self-care routine, don’t hesitate to take care of yourself.

And, of course, what better way to treat yourself than getting a Hydragun. It’s the quietest massage gun on the market right now. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it first and see how you like it. 

Recovery Starts Today

© 2021 Hydragun. All Rights Reserved.

Summit back, neck, and spine specialist Erik Ekstrom, M.D., explains some of the possible reasons for back pain that happens with deep breaths.

Our bodies can certainly be mysterious — and strange aches and pains are some of the confusing signs our bodies can send. But what does it mean when your back hurts each time you take a deep breath? Erik Ekstrom, M.D., back, neck, and spine specialist at Summit Orthopedics, explains some of the diagnostic possibilities from an orthopedic perspective.

First, a caveat: back pain with breathing is not necessarily an orthopedic issue at all. It could be anything from a sign of a heart problem, to a gastrointestinal issue, to a symptom of anxiety. “Deep breaths can shift internal organs like the kidneys and intestines, causing discomfort, and it could also be a problem with the lungs,” Dr. Ekstrom said. For those reasons, it’s important to talk with your primary care doctor to rule out nonorthopedic causes.

But if other causes have been ruled out, it may be time to consider the back itself. “There are a range of spine-related conditions that could come into play with a symptom like this,” Dr. Ekstrom said.

Back muscle spasms with deep breaths

“There are multiple structures that support the back, including many muscles,” Dr. Ekstrom said. “Those muscles can spasm when they are stretching, as would be the case when you take a deep breath.”

The intercostals — the muscles between the ribs that are used for breathing — are likely culprits, but muscle spasms can affect any muscle group, including the abdominals, the spinal muscles, and the pelvic floor muscles. “Spasms in any one of those muscle groups could cause pain with a deep breath,” Dr. Ekstrom said.

Increased pressure with deep breaths

Another possible cause is increased pressure. “Breathing increases the intra-abdominal pressure on spine. Taking deep breaths, coughing, bearing down — all of these should not cause pain, but if you have a spinal problem, the increased pressure could worsen it,” Dr. Ekstrom said. For example, a herniated disc or nerve impingement could cause pain with deep breathing.

But ultimately, Dr. Ekstrom said, even deep breathing shouldn’t cause back pain. “So if you’re having a recurring issue with back pain when you take deep breaths, it may necessitate a higher-level review,” he said. “I’d encourage anyone having these symptoms to come in for a consult, where we can take images of your spine and help you determine what is happening.”

Summit Orthopedics offers comprehensive spine expertise

Our back specialists diagnose spine problems and design custom treatment plans built on a conservative, nonsurgical approach. Most patients find relief through treatments including guided injections, specialized physical therapy, biofeedback, exercise, activity modification, and medication. When conservative care does not relieve symptoms, our highly skilled surgeons offer proven, evidence-based surgical options. Together with you, we will determine the right course of action.

Start your journey to a healthy spine. Find your spine expert, schedule an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a spine consultation.

Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Plymouth, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as additional community clinics throughout the metro and southern Minnesota.

More resources for you:

• Meet Dr. Ekstrom in this introductory video.
• Read our single best tip for keeping your back healthy.
• Learn about Intracept for low back pain.
• Watch a video on how to stretch your lower back.

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