Sudden Sharp Pain in the Middle of the Back

Sudden, sharp pain can be alarming, to say the least. When it occurs in the middle of the back, you may wonder if it’s resulting from an injury, spine condition, or even an organ problem. 

In this article, we’ll provide an overview of possible causes of sudden, sharp pain in the middle of the back. As you read, keep in mind that the only way to know the exact cause of your mid-back pain is to get evaluated by a doctor.

Pain in the Middle of the Back

Table of Contents

What Causes Sudden Sharp Stabbing Pain in the Mid Back?

Sudden, sharp, stabbing pain in the mid back can be caused by a muscle spasm, strained muscle, sprained ligament, herniated disc, or pinched nerve. 

Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms occur when a muscle suddenly and involuntarily seizes or contracts. This can feel like a sudden, sharp pain that seems to come out of nowhere. Many people refer to this as throwing out your back. 

The following factors can lead to a back muscle spasm:

  • Poor posture
  • Overusing the back muscles
  • Excessively twisting, bending, or extending the spine
  • Insufficient hydration, potassium, or calcium in your diet
  • Stress or anxiety
  • Spinal conditions, including spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, herniated disc, and arthritis

Strained Back Muscle

When a muscle is strained, it means that the muscle fibers are either stretched or torn. This injury can result from overuse, an accident or fall, or using a muscle improperly. Strained back muscles vary significantly in severity, but can feel like a sudden, sharp pain in the back. 

Other symptoms of strained back muscles include:

  • Back stiffness
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Muscle spasms
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Tenderness 

Sprained Ligament

A sprained back results from a stretched or torn ligament. This can be caused by improper lifting techniques, poor posture, repetitive movements, a sudden fall, a sports injury, or being overweight. Excess weight places more stress on the back ligaments, potentially leading to damage.  

Along with sudden back pain, a sprained ligament can result in:

  • Muscle spasms
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Loss of strength in the back

Herniated Disc

With a herniated disc, the damaged spinal disc protrudes into the spinal canal. It may press on spinal nerves, which can trigger sharp or shooting back pain. Herniated discs can be caused by a sudden injury, but most often result from spinal degeneration. 

Sometimes, a herniated disc can cause muscle spasms by disrupting the nerve signals sent from a spinal nerve to nearby muscle tissue. 

Pinched Nerve

When a spinal nerve becomes pinched or compressed, it can cause sharp, sudden, or burning back pain. You may have sharp pain when you cough, sneeze, or make certain movements. This pain may also radiate into the lower extremities.

Many conditions and injuries can cause a pinched spinal nerve, including a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and bone spurs. Even poor posture or being overweight can contribute to spinal nerve compression. 

Why Do I Get Sudden Sharp Back Pain Out of Nowhere?

You may get sudden sharp back pain out of nowhere because you have an acute back injury, like a back strain, sprain, or pinched nerve. Compression fractures from osteoporosis can also cause sudden lower back pain. 

How Do I Know if My Middle Back Pain Is Serious?

You may know that your middle back pain is serious if it’s debilitating, persists for several weeks, or is accompanied by other symptoms, like weakness, numbness, incontinence, or fever. 

If middle back pain is debilitating, it may compromise your day-to-day routine. You may find it difficult to stand, sit, or walk for prolonged periods without severe discomfort. Additionally, debilitating middle back pain can make it hard to fall and stay asleep. 

Middle back pain that lasts longer than a few weeks indicates an issue that requires professional medical care. Most often, the issue is a spinal condition like spinal stenosis, nerve impingement, a herniated disc, or osteoarthritis. These conditions require ongoing care to prevent further damage to the spine. 

If middle back pain is accompanied by symptoms like weakness, numbness, incontinence, fever, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, or fatigue, seek emergency medical care. Along with severe back pain, these symptoms can point to a severe nerve condition, like cauda equina syndrome, or spinal infections. 

How to Tell if Back Pain Is Muscle or Disc?

You may be able to tell if back pain is caused by a muscle or disc by the extent of the pain and whether it feels like soreness or a neurological problem (tingly, numb, or electric). 

Signs that your back pain is muscular include:

  • Tenderness to the touch
  • Muscle spasms
  • Swelling and/or bruising
  • Sharp, achy, or cramp-like pain
  • Pain that worsens with movement

Signs that your back pain is disc-related include:

  • Pain that radiates down one or both legs
  • Numbness, tingling, or a “pins and needles” sensation
  • Muscle weakness around the affected area and/or in the legs
  • Worsened pain when you bend, sit, or stand for prolonged periods. 

Additionally, pain from a pulled or strained muscle typically improves within a few weeks of care. Disc problems, on the other hand, take longer to heal – up to three months. Additionally, due to the presence of neurological symptoms, disc problems are more likely to require professional medical care than muscle strains.

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Back Pain: Main Causes and Treatments

Back Pain Causes and Treatments

The main causes of back pain include overuse, poor posture, spinal degeneration, and the natural aging process. Treatments include physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, medications, and surgery. 

Overuse

Overusing your back and spine can lead to various injuries, including sprains, strains, herniated discs, and even vertebral stress fractures (AKA spondylolysis). Sprains, strains, and some herniated discs can effectively be resolved with at-home care, including rest, heat/cold therapy, and over-the-counter medications. More severe disc herniated and stress fractures require professional medical care. 

Poor Posture

Poor posture causes back pain by forcing the spine out of its natural alignment. This imbalances the distribution of impact on the spinal structures, often causing inflammation and muscle tension. Correcting your posture can prevent and resolve this issue. 

Spinal Degeneration

The spine naturally degenerates with age, contributing to conditions like degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and osteoarthritis. However, excessive strain on the spine over time can accelerate this degeneration, leading to back pain earlier in life. Non-invasive treatments like physical therapy, medications, lifestyle changes, and chiropractic care are usually sufficient to resolve degenerative spine conditions. However, in advanced cases, you may require surgery to make a full recovery. Luckily, surgical solutions for degenerative spine conditions have advanced greatly over the past several years, providing better outcomes and fewer complications.