upper back hurts when i take a deep breathe

[bamajersey62]

i am 46 female i have gerd but i take medicine for it  my upper back really hurts when i breathe in deep.it has been doing it for 3 days i have tried a muscle rub and a heating pad i do smoke .nothing is helping i was concerned that it might be aheart attack but it more in the middle of my upper back by my shoulder blades.


This discussion is related to sharp upper back pain when i breathe in deep.

[cmnacnud]

Without more information, it is impossible to give a sure diagnosis, but you may have a rib head "out"  Though, lung or heart pain can refer to the back is is more likely superficial.  Your ribs move every time you breathe, and when you take a deep breath they move even more.  If one of the joints is not functioning properly that can be painful.  I would recommend you find a good chiropractor in your area to take a look.

[Lilkim703]

I would exercise caution when going straight to a chiropractor or even on seeing one at all.  They are supposed to take an x-ray on your first visit to, at a minimum, ensure that your ribs/spine/etc. are intact and that certain internal organs appear normal.  The chiropractors that I patroned both missed the fact that my lung was collapsed.  Both were operating under the assumption that I had a pulled muscle in my back.  While the chiropractic treatments do feel very nice when they are happening, I noticed that I was in more pain after each treatment and so I went to the chiropractor more often, up to 3-4 times per week.  Beyond the chiropractors missing a very serious medical problem that was causing my pain in the first place, it was suspicious that my appointments ultimately created more appointments and more business for the chiropractors.

I also wanted to respond to your posting because the pain in my upper back by my shoulder blades seems similar to your description.  It might be a good idea to go to a Primary Care Physician and have them listen to your lungs, check your ribs & muscles, etc. before you go to the chiropractor.  My PCP sent me to get a chest x-ray after listening to my lungs which is how I discovered my lung was collapsed.  Good luck!