Mid-back pain

[doctorJackie]

I have recently developed a pain in the middle of my back on each side.  It seems as though it is just under my mid back muscles.  Could this be my lung area?  I am a moker.

[lindylue]

I have had similiar pain which comes and goes, it is a different sort of pain than anything I have experienced before and can only describe it as a hot ache that stays for afew days then goes away, I thought it was related to exercise or muscle strain but it feels deeper in the body than that. I have never had a doctor check it out because it doesnt happen very often, but have been told it could be a kidney problem.

[skydnsr]

If you are worried about lung cancer, that usually starts with a single tumor (not bilateral), and the first symptom is usually not pain.  The middle of your back would be around the level of the diaphragm, maybe the lower part of the lungs, maybe the kidneys.  Pain in mid-back can be due to anything.  Probably, most often it is musculoskeletal.  Bilateral back pain would be consistent with a muscle strain or maybe a nerve or disc problem.  Back pain is like a headache -- so many things can cause it that you need to be examined by a doctor, in order to find out what is the problem.  So, either it bothers you enough to go to the doctor, or it will be self-limiting and not require medical evaluation.  What I woud NOT do is to let it linger on and bother me but not go to the doctor.