Back Pain When Breathing: 8 Causes And When To See A Doctor

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat can cause back pain while breathing?

Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on April 11, 2025

Muscle injury
Obesity
Scoliosis
Kyphosis
Pleurisy
Heart attack
Lung cancer
Pulmonary embolism
Pneumonia
Intercostal neuralgia
Seeing a doctor
FAQ
Summary

If back pain occurs when a person breathes, it can signal an underlying medical condition. Possible causes range from muscle strain to improper spinal curvature or lung cancer.

Back pain while breathing can also indicate a medical emergency, such as a heart attack or pulmonary embolism, particularly if the person is also experiencing shortness of breath or chest pain.

This article investigates some possible causes of back pain while breathing and describes when to see a doctor.

Muscle injury

An image of a person experiencing back pain while breathing. — Westend61/Getty Images

Muscle sprains and strains can cause back pain. A person who has injured a muscle in their back may experience pain when breathing in.

Treatment options

A person can treat muscle strain at home by resting and applying heat or an ice pack to the injured area for 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.

Obesity

Carrying excess weight can place extra pressure on a person’s back, joints, and other parts of the body. Some people with obesity can have breathing problems and find it uncomfortable or even painful to take full, deep breaths.

Treatment options

Losing weight may help alleviate back and joint pain. People who are having difficulty maintaining a healthy weight may wish to speak to a doctor about possible hormonal causes, such as low thyroid function.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine. Although it can affect people of any age, it typically occurs in children ages 11 or over.

In some people, the spine can become so curved that it places extra pressure on the lungs, making breathing painful.

Symptoms of scoliosis can include:

back pain
weakness and numbness in the hands and feet
uneven shoulders, hips, or ribcage
difficulty standing up straight
problems walking
shortness of breath

Treatment options

Doctors will consider many factors when deciding on treatment options, such as a person’s sex, the severity of the curve, curve position, and bone maturity. For example, a doctor may recommend observation for less severe curvature in younger individuals and suggest physical therapy for adults.

A doctor may recommend wearing a back brace for people with mild to moderate scoliosis. Individuals with more severe scoliosis may require spinal fusion surgery to straighten their spine.

Kyphosis

Kyphosis is a condition that causes a person’s spine to curve forward, which can lead to a hunched posture.

This curvature can develop during adolescence, following a spinal injury, or result from aging.

Kyphosis can also cause back pain, swelling, and balance issues. Symptoms may get worse over time, which can lead to difficulty breathing or eating in some people.

Treatment options

Treatment for kyphosis can involve attending physical therapy, wearing a brace, and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. For severe kyphosis, a doctor may recommend surgical treatment, such as a spinal fusion.

Pleurisy

Pleurisy refers to inflammation around the lungs that develops due to an infection, such as the flu or pneumonia.

Its main symptom of sharp chest pain as a person breathes in. However, the pain can spread to the shoulders and back.

Treatment options

It usually resolves without treatment in a few days. A person can treat the pain at home by taking painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

However, depending on the underlying cause, a person may require treatment such as antibiotics.

Heart attack

In some cases, back pain while breathing can be a symptom of a heart attack. This is life threatening and requires immediate medical assistance.

A heart attack can occur if the blood flow to the heart’s muscles suddenly becomes blocked, by a blood clot, for example.

Symptoms of a heart attack can include:

chest pain
a sense of pressure or fullness in the chest
pain in one or both arms
jaw pain
shortness of breath
lightheadedness
nausea and vomiting

People with symptoms of a heart attack should contact or visit emergency services immediately.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the heart attack. Typically, treatments involve techniques to restore blood flow to part of the heart muscle damaged during a heart attack. When a heart attack is severe, the doctor may pass a type of catheter through the person’s groin or wrist to open the blocked artery.

Lung cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer often does not cause symptoms in the early stages. However, a common sign of lung cancer is chest pain that usually worsens during deep breathing or coughing.

If the cancer spreads to other organs, it may cause bone pain in a person’s back or hips. A lung tumor can also press on nerves in the spine, affecting a person’s breathing and causing back pain.

Other symptoms of lung cancer can include:

a chronic cough
coughing up blood or blood in the mucus
frequent or recurring respiratory infections
shortness of breath
wheezing
hoarseness
difficulty swallowing
unexplained weight loss
a loss of appetite

Treatment options

Treatment for lung cancer depends on several factors, including:

the type of lung cancer
the location, size, and stage of the cancer
the person’s overall health

Treatment options can include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot develops in an artery that supplies blood to the lungs. This can block the flow of blood, which can be life threatening.

A person with a pulmonary embolism often experiences pain while taking a deep breath and pain in the upper back.

Other symptoms can include:

chest pain
coughing, and possibly coughing up blood
a rapid heartbeat
dizziness
leg swelling

A pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency, and people with these symptoms should seek immediate assistance.

Treatment options

Treatment options involve keeping the blood clot from growing and preventing the formation of new clots. Options typically include anticoagulant medications to break down the blood clot and a surgical procedure to remove or bypass the clot.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection that causes the tiny air sacs in the lungs to fill with fluid. It can occur in one or both lungs.

Symptoms of pneumonia vary in severity, but people may experience chest, abdominal, or back pain when breathing or coughing.

Other symptoms of pneumonia can include:

fever and chills
coughing up phlegm
shortness of breath
a loss of appetite
wheezing
vomiting

Treatment options

Treatment options will depend on the type of pneumonia a person has. When bacteria are responsible for the infection, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. When a virus is responsible, supportive treatments are available. Severe pneumonia may require hospitalization.

Intercostal neuralgia

Intercostal neuralgia is a condition that causes neuropathic pain in the area corresponding to the intercostal nerves (rib, chest, upper abdominal wall). This pain may be constant or intermittent and can be exacerbated by breathing.

Causes of this condition include certain surgical procedures, such as a thoracotomy, shingles, traumatic injury, and pregnancy.

Symptoms are as follows:

a sharp, stabbing, burning, or aching pain in the ribs, chest, or abdomen
tingling and numbness in the ribs, chest, or abdomen
reduced motor function around the affected area (in severe cases)

Treatment options

Treatment options for intercostal neuralgia depend on the underlying cause.

Medication like opioids, anticonvulsants, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be prescribed for pain control. Other options include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and certain antidepressants.

When should a person go to the doctor for back pain when breathing?

People with severe, persistent, or worsening back pain should visit a doctor. This is particularly important when the pain occurs alongside tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.

Seek immediate medical assistance for back or chest pain that accompanies:

shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
severe coughing or coughing up blood
dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of consciousness
pain in one or both arms
swelling in the legs
weakness or numbness

Frequently asked questions

What causes a sharp pain when breathing deeply?

If a person has pain when they take a deep breath, it could be due to infection, inflammation, or spinal curvature. In more serious cases, it can point to a heart attack, pneumonia, or lung cancer.

Can lung pain be felt in the back?

Lung pain can be felt in the back. For example, some cases of a collapsed lung can cause back pain. Pleurisy can also cause back pain when breathing. Similarly, lung cancer that has spread can also cause pain in the back.

How does a person know if back pain is lung-related?

Lung tumors can sometimes put pressure on the spine, leading to back pain. People should consider their other symptoms and speak with a doctor to understand if back pain is due to lung cancer or another cause.

Summary

Back pain while breathing may be a sign of a serious underlying condition or even a medical emergency, so it is important not to ignore the symptom.

People with severe, persistent, or worsening back pain should visit a doctor. Anyone with symptoms that could indicate a heart attack or pulmonary embolism should receive emergency medical attention.

Read the article in Spanish.

Back Pain
Pulmonary System
Respiratory
Pain / Anesthetics

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Back pain. (2023). https://rheumatology.org/back-pain
Consequences of obesity. (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/consequences.html
Fazekas D, et al. (2023). Intercostal neuralgia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560865/
Heart attack. (2022.). https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-attack
Heart attack treatment. (2025). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/treatment-of-a-heart-attack
Hussein MTQ, et al. (2025). When back pain masks a pneumothorax: Atypical presentation in a healthy young nonsmoker male. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043324012160
Lam JC, et al. (2023). Kyphosis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558945/
Pleurisy. (2023). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pleurisy/
Pulmonary embolism. (2023). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pulmonary-embolism/
Pneumonia. (2022.). https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pneumonia
Scoliosis in children and teens. (2023). https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/scoliosis
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer. (2019). https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html
Sprains and strains. (2024).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/

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Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on April 11, 2025

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Muscle injury

Treatment options

Obesity

Treatment options

Scoliosis

Treatment options

Kyphosis

Treatment options

Pleurisy

Treatment options

Heart attack

Treatment options

Lung cancer

Treatment options

Pulmonary embolism

Treatment options

Pneumonia

Treatment options

Intercostal neuralgia

Treatment options

When should a person go to the doctor for back pain when breathing?

Frequently asked questions

What causes a sharp pain when breathing deeply?

Can lung pain be felt in the back?

How does a person know if back pain is lung-related?

Summary

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