Back injuries are common, but back pain that occurs with shortness of breath or pain when breathing may be a sign of a more serious problem. If a person can’t breathe properly, they should seek medical advice.
Often, back pain and shortness of breath result from a muscle strain or carrying extra weight. However, sometimes a more serious condition can cause back pain with shortness of breath, and the person requires prompt medical attention.
Someone experiencing these symptoms with chest pain, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or loss of consciousness should see their doctor immediately or seek emergency care. They can indicate a heart attack.
This article covers 12 potential causes of back pain and shortness of breath.
Some types of back pain can indicate a serious condition that needs urgent attention.
Back pain can
- chest pain
- breathing problems
- sweating
- nausea
- lightheadedness
Another example of a medical emergency is cauda equina syndrome, symptoms of which include numbness and weakness in the legs and loss of bladder and bowel control.
If someone experiences any of these symptoms, they should seek immediate medical attention.
A person should also
- is severe and does not improve with rest or over-the-counter (OTC) medications
- occurs after a fall, blow to the back, or another injury
- affects their ability to perform daily activities
If a person has
A doctor can recommend further tests or treatment options to help relieve the pain.
Potential treatments
- medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- muscle relaxants
- anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin (Neurontin)
- heat therapy
- physical therapy
- exercises, such as tai chi and yoga
- acupuncture
- counseling
If someone has disabling lower back pain that affects their quality of life, a doctor may consider surgical intervention to trim the disk, fuse the vertebrae, or replace the disk.
Often, rest, heat or cold packs, and OTC pain relievers can resolve back pain.
There are many muscles in the back and between the ribs, and strains and sprains are
Muscle strains may respond to:
- rest
- ice or heat
- OTC pain relief, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
A muscle strain typically goes away after a few days. If it lasts longer, the doctor can prescribe stronger medications, such as a muscle relaxant, to help relieve the discomfort.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can result from a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. Common symptoms include a cough, fever, and breathing problems, but a person
It can develop as a complication of flu or COVID-19. Symptoms can be severe in older adults and those with other underlying medical conditions.
For a bacterial infection, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics. For fungal infections, a person will need antifungal medications. People with severe symptoms may need to spend time in the hospital, where supportive care can help manage symptoms and prevent further complications.
Obesity and overweight mean the back muscles have to
Losing weight can help reduce stress on the back. In addition, regularly exercising to work the muscles of the back can help to strengthen them and gradually reduce pain.
Chest pain and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms of a heart attack, but pain
Anyone who suspects they may be having a heart attack should go to the nearest emergency room or call emergency services immediately.
Anyone who has or may have coronary artery disease or heart disease should mention these to their doctor when seeking treatment for back pain.
Factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease include:
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol levels
- a family history of heart disease
- a history of smoking
- obesity and overweight
- diabetes
The following symptoms can indicate a condition known as cauda equina syndrome, which affects the nerve roots at the end of the spinal cord. They transmit messages between the lower limbs and pelvic organs and provide feeling and movement in the legs and the bladder.
Cauda equina syndrome usually occurs when a severely herniated disk disrupts the function of these nerves.
It is a medical emergency and can lead to:
- loss of bowel or bladder control
- loss of urge to urinate
- numbness or weakness in the legs
- sexual dysfunction
What is the link between back pain and loss of bowel control?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.
Common symptoms include chest pain, heartburn, or a sour taste in the mouth, but pain can also radiate to the back, often between the shoulder blades and usually after eating.
In addition, stomach acid can sometimes enter the airways, leading to shortness of breath or a cough.
For people with GERD, a doctor may recommend:
- OTC or prescription medications
- avoiding eating soon before sleeping or lying down
- avoiding common trigger foods, such as spicy, fatty, or acidic foods, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol
The gallbladder is a small organ that sits in the abdomen. It
Without treatment, gallbladder disease and gallstones can cause severe abdominal pain that radiates to the back.
In most cases, treatment for gallstones
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the lung. The main symptoms are often shortness of breath and chest pain. Some people may also experience back pain.
Pulmonary embolism requires emergency medical treatment.
The aorta is a large blood vessel that exits the heart and helps distribute blood throughout the body. An aortic dissection
It is rare, but when it happens, it causes severe back pain, shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness, and sweating.
An aortic dissection is a life threatening event that requires immediate treatment. Depending on where the dissection is, emergency surgery may be necessary.
A fractured rib
A rib can fracture as the result of a trauma, such as a blow to the chest. In older people, ribs can fracture more easily as the bones become weaker with age.
Possible complications of a broken rib include pneumothorax, where the rib punctures the lung. Treatment includes rest and pain relief medication. A rib can take several weeks or months to heal, depending on the person’s age and other health factors.
Shortness of breath and back pain are not typical signs of lung cancer, although it
A cancer specialist, or oncologist, provides treatment for cancer. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Here are some answers to questions people often ask about back pain and shortness of breath.
What does it mean if you have back pain and shortness of breath?
Back pain and shortness of breath can be a sign of various conditions, ranging from muscle strain to a broken rib or a heart attack. Anyone with severe pain or difficulty breathing should seek medical advice.
What helps relieve back pain and shortness of breath?
People with unexplained back pain and breathing difficulty should seek medical advice. If symptoms are severe or there are other symptoms — such as chest pain or a loss of bowel or bladder control — the person needs urgent medical attention.
Breathing exercises, such as pursed lip breathing, box breathing, and diaphragmatic (or “belly”) breathing, can help manage breathing problems, according to the American Lung Association.
There are many potential causes of shortness of breath and back pain.
In many cases, treatment is possible at home with rest. However, it is important to check with a doctor if a person has severe shortness of breath, chest pain, or if the symptoms do not go away after a few days.