Breathing is something we do without even thinking—until it hurts. If you’ve ever felt back pain when breathing, you know how alarming and uncomfortable it can be. You might be worried and let your doctor know, “My back hurts when I breathe!” When you take a deep breath, back pain is not something you expect to feel. There are actually many different reasons why you might notice pain in your back when breathing.

A sudden injury to your back could affect the bones, muscles, and other soft tissues in the area. Certain medical conditions can also impact your internal organs, like your lungs. Thankfully, there are many non-surgical back pain treatment options that can help. Finding out what is causing your back pain when breathing is the key to determining the best course of treatment.

7 Possible Causes of Back Pain When Breathing

At AICA Orthopedics, we understand how complex back pain can be, especially when it shows up in unexpected ways. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why does my back hurt when I breathe?”, you’re not alone.

When you breathe, your ribs expand, and your spine moves slightly to accommodate the motion of your lungs. If there’s a problem with the muscles, bones, or nerves in the back, or even with nearby organs, this simple act can become painful.

Understanding the source of the pain is important to determine the right treatment.

Let’s look at some common causes of lower back pain while breathing and upper back pain associated with deep breathing.

Strained Back Muscle

An injury to your back can cause a strained muscle. Common causes of strained back muscles include car accident injuries and sports injuries. You could also suffer a strained back muscle due to repetitive use or stress on your back. A strained muscle can cause sudden pain when moving.

Taking a deep breath expands your lungs and can put pressure on tender, sore muscles in your back. In many cases, a strained back muscle can go away on its own with proper rest after an injury. A diagnosis from a car accident doctor or back pain specialist can also help determine the best course of treatment for you.

Bruised or Broken Rib

An injury to the ribs can lead to a bruised or broken rib. Rib injuries can make even the simplest movements like breathing or laughing lead to pain in your back. Middle back pain when breathing could be the result of a bruised or broken rib.

A bruised or broken rib will typically cause muscle spasms or twitching in the area and result in tenderness around the injured area. Because the symptoms of a bruised rib and a broken rib are similar, your doctor will typically need to run diagnostic imaging tests to determine the most accurate diagnosis. An X-ray or CT scan can support the diagnosis of a bruised or broken rib that is causing you pain while breathing.

Herniated Disc

Spinal discs are located between each of the vertebrae in your spine and help provide support and absorb shock. Each disc has a tough outer layer with a gel-like nucleus. Injury or wear and tear on a spinal disc can cause it to crack and the nucleus to spill out. This is known as a herniated disc.

If you suffer a herniated disc, you might experience pain and tenderness in the area that gets worse with certain movements like taking a deep breath. Other common symptoms of a herniated disc include tingling and numbness, muscle weakness, and symptoms that extend elsewhere in the body, like your arms or legs.

Fractured Vertebra

A sudden or traumatic injury to the spine can cause a fractured vertebra. A fracture is the medical term for a broken bone. If you suffer a fractured vertebra, it can cause significant pain that gets worse with even the smallest of movements. Depending on the location of the fractured vertebra, you may notice upper back pain when breathing.

Damage to a bone in your spine can put pressure on your spinal cord and central nervous system. Other symptoms of a fractured vertebra include tingling, numbness, and weakness. A fractured vertebra will require medical attention as soon as possible, especially if you notice bladder dysfunction or a complete loss of bowel function.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is commonly diagnosed during adolescence and refers to an abnormal curvature of the spine. As our bodies develop and grow, the spine should extend in a straight line from your head to your hips. In cases of scoliosis, the spine can curve abnormally, and you may notice uneven shoulders or one hip set higher than the other.

Developmental issues and genetics play a large part in whether someone experiences scoliosis. Scoliosis can put pressure on the ribcage and parts of the spine near important internal organs like the heart and lungs. This can cause back pain that may increase with breathing.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a serious infection that can cause inflammation in your lungs. The air sacs in your lungs may fill with fluid, which can make breathing difficult. Pneumonia can occur in one or both of your lungs, and symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening.

Pneumonia can cause symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, fever, fatigue, and chills. Pneumonia can also lead to pain in your chest, abdomen, and back that gets worse with coughing and breathing. In severe cases, pneumonia may require hospitalization.

Heart Attack

A heart attack refers to a serious condition where blood supply is cut off from the heart. Not all people experience the same symptoms of a heart attack. More commonly known heart attack symptoms include chest pain and difficulty breathing.

You may also start to sweat and feel nauseous or like you have indigestion. A heart attack can also cause pain that extends into your left arm. A heart attack can cause serious pain or pressure on your back and chest, making small movements like breathing feel unbearable.

Back Pain Diagnosis & Treatment

With the right diagnosis and care, this kind of pain can be effectively managed and treated. At AICA Orthopedics, we specialize in diagnosing and treating complex causes of back pain. Our multidisciplinary approach brings together orthopedic doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, and imaging specialists—all under one roof.

We offer:

• On-site diagnostic imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT scan)
• Customized treatment plans
• Chiropractic and physical therapy services
• Pain management options
• Auto accident injury care

We work with patients who have experienced everything from car accidents to workplace injuries, sports trauma, and chronic postural conditions. Our goal is to help you breathe easily and without pain, starting with non-invasive treatment strategies.

Treatment Options for Back Pain That Hurts When Breathing

At AICA Orthopedics, our first priority is to treat your pain without surgery whenever possible. We offer comprehensive treatment plans that can include a wide range of options, from drug-free pain relief to surgery when necessary. Here are some examples of our treatment approaches for back pain when breathing, depending on the root cause of your discomfort.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic adjustments are often one of the most effective conservative treatments for back pain when breathing, especially when you’re dealing with spinal misalignment, muscle tension, or joint dysfunction. Chiropractors provide drug-free approaches to pain relief for a wide range of conditions. For people who notice that their lower back hurts when taking a deep breath, chiropractic care can relieve tension and improve breathing depth without causing more strain.

Examples of how chiropractic care can help you:

• Realign your spine to reduce pinched nerves and restore mobility.
• Address imbalances in your spine that might cause pain and discomfort when breathing.
• Help with rib dysfunction that mimics what do bruised ribs feel like, even if there’s no visible trauma.
• Recommend chiropractor stretches to reduce muscle tightness and improve breathing mechanics.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a key part of recovery, especially for soft tissue injuries, postural issues, and muscular imbalances. A physical therapist will guide you through personalized stretches and exercises that support your spine, improve breathing mechanics, and promote long-term strength and flexibility. Incorporating these stretches for middle back pain and lower back stretch exercises under professional supervision can improve your range of motion and reduce pain to help you breathe more comfortably.

Physical therapy is especially helpful if:

• You have muscle strain or rib-related injuries.
• You’ve experienced trauma from a car accident or fall.
• You’re noticing lower back pain while breathing due to stiffness or poor posture.
• Stretching causes discomfort, like when stretching your hamstrings hurts your lower back, and you need supervised support.

Orthopedic Evaluation & Non-Surgical Management

Orthopedic doctors focus on the musculoskeletal system and are essential when there’s structural damage, like a herniated disc or fractured vertebra, that might be causing your breathing-related back pain. If your lower back hurts when I breathe and the pain doesn’t improve with conservative care, an orthopedic specialist may recommend minimally invasive procedures or coordinate your care with a neurologist. They can evaluate whether bones, joints, or discs are contributing to your symptoms and help you avoid surgery whenever possible.

Orthopedic treatment options include:

• Diagnostic imaging (X-rays, MRI, or CT scans) to pinpoint damage.
• Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.
• Bracing or recommended rest if a rib or vertebral fracture is suspected.
• Pain management for bruised ribs, which can be especially helpful when you’re wondering, “What do bruised ribs feel like?”

Neurological Care

If the pain is suspected to be nerve-related, such as a pinched nerve or spinal cord compression, a neurologist can provide additional treatment and support. If your lower back hurts when taking a deep breath and the pain travels to your hips or legs, it could signal nerve involvement that requires specialized care. Neurologists are especially helpful in cases where there’s numbness, tingling, or radiating pain along with back pain when breathing.

Neurological evaluations may involve:

• EMG testing to assess nerve function.
• Coordinating with orthopedic or chiropractic care to relieve nerve compression.
• Management of chronic conditions like sciatica or degenerative disc disease.

What If My Back Pain Doesn’t Go Away?

Even if your back pain and other symptoms improve with rest or over-the-counter medication, persistent back pain that gets worse with breathing should never be ignored. Whether you’re feeling lower back pain while breathing, upper back tension, or pain linked to posture or rib movement, it’s worth having it evaluated, especially after an injury or accident.

Many patients who have experienced trauma like a car accident can develop delayed symptoms, and it may take weeks for rib bruising, disc herniation, or spinal misalignment to cause noticeable pain. And because conditions like pneumonia or even a heart event can sometimes mimic musculoskeletal pain, it’s always best to get a thorough diagnosis.

Visit AICA Orthopedics for Back Pain Treatment

At AICA Orthopedics, our team of chiropractors, physical therapists, orthopedic doctors, neurologists, and imaging specialists works together to provide you with the highest level of care. Whether you’re wondering why your back hurts when you breathe, dealing with a rib injury, or suffering from pain when you take deep breaths in your back, we’re here to help.

Find out what is causing your back pain while breathing so you can get started on the most appropriate treatment. In many cases, back pain while breathing can be treated with non-surgical back pain treatment options like chiropractic care. Whether you are dealing with acute or chronic back pain, a chiropractor or back pain specialist can help.

Visit AICA Orthopedics in Atlanta to learn more about our personalized back pain treatment plans. We offer comprehensive care and treat your symptoms along with the root cause of your pain. You shouldn’t have to live with back pain, and starting with conservative and natural approaches to back pain treatment allows you to experience lasting relief.