What can cause tingling in the midback?

Nerve compression, damage, or irritation might cause a tingling or numb feeling in your back. Sometimes, this is associated with persistent pain; in such cases, consult a doctor as soon as possible because it may be a sign of another back problem.

Generally, this tingling sensation in your upper, middle, or lower back can be described as a pins-and-needles or stinging. Depending on the location and underlying cause, this tingling sensation can be chronic or acute and may travel into your limbs. If the tingling feeling is associated with other symptoms like sudden weakness in your legs, trouble walking, or having bladder or bowel control problems, consult an expert doctor immediately. This is because these additional symptoms might indicate severe back conditions like disc herniation or a spinal tumour.

Causes of tingling sensation in the midback

A variety of conditions can cause tingling in the midback, and the most common causes include:

Nerve Compression: Often referred to as a pinched nerve, a compressed or irritated nerve along the spinal cord can cause tingling along with other symptoms like numbness or pain in the midback. Herniated discs or bone spurs are the main reasons for this nerve compression.

Poor posture: The position you sit and stand in can also cause tingling. For instance, sitting in a drooping posture or prolonged time can exert excess pressure on the spinal nerves in the mid back, which may cause tingling sensations.

Muscle strain: If you overuse your back muscles, they become strained and can irritate nearby nerves, causing tingling and discomfort.

Thoracic outlet syndrome: In this condition, the nerves or blood vessels become compressed between the clavicle (collarbone) and the top rib, which can cause tingling in the mid back or arms.

Shingles: Often it is referred to as Herpes zoster. It is a painful, itchy rash that appears as a single stripe. The rash consists of blisters, and before it develops, you may feel pain, itching, or tingling in that area. This condition is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, also known as the chickenpox virus. Following the rash, people may experience tingling, burning, or pain in specific areas of their bodies, the most common being back pain.

Trauma or Injury: Unfortunately, we may damage our back sometimes due to direct injury, which happens when we fall or meet with any accident. In such cases, nerve damage can lead to tingling sensations.

Vitamin deficiencies, especially vitamin B12 deficiency, might result in nerve damage that ultimately causes tingling sensations in various body parts, including the thoracic part.

Blood sugar levels will be high in diabetic patients, and it can cause nerve damage. In such cases, tingling can occur in various parts of the body, which include the midback.

Tingling or numbness can also be caused by conditions such as spinal stenosis or tumours that affect the spinal cord, particularly in the midback.

Infectious diseases like meningitis or any other inflammatory condition that affects the spine and subsequently the nerves might lead to tingling in the midback.

Other spinal conditions like disc herniations, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis can also rarely cause tingling in the midback.

However, if the tingling sensation doesn’t go away or if you are experiencing additional symptoms like weakness in your limbs, a numb feeling, or severe back pain, it’s a medical emergency, and you need to consult a spine specialist as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Is the tingling in my back serious?

Tingling in your back occasionally might not be very concerning. However, recurring or chronic tingling in your back shouldn’t be ignored. Seek immediate medical attention if it is accompanied by severe symptoms like:

• Loss of control over bladder and bowel movements
• Having trouble using your legs or arms
• Loss of coordination
• Difficulty walking
• Sudden and severe numbness
• Fever
• Pain in your legs.

If the tingling persists for more than a week, consult Dr. Surya Prakash, one of the best spine doctors in Hyderabad. Sometimes, this condition may have other underlying causes that interfere with your daily life. Leaving it untreated may exacerbate the condition.

Treatment for tingling in your back

Various surgical and non-surgical treatment options are available to treat back tingling. 

• Resting
• Medication to manage pain
• Hot and cold therapy
• Physical therapy 
• Massage therapy 
• Chiropractic care
• Antiviral medications or antibiotics

However, in severe cases, these non-surgical treatment options may not be effective, and surgery may be required to relieve nerve pressure.

Preventing tingling in the mid back

Preventing medical conditions might not always be possible; however, if you can follow the necessary measures, it helps reduce the risk.

• A good posture while standing or sitting is very important, and also avoid prolonged sitting.
• Use proper lifting techniques when moving heavy objects.
• Exercise regularly.
• Avoid repetitive strain.
• While playing sports, use protective gear that supports your back.

For back pain treatment, consult Dr. Surya Prakash, a senior and best spine specialist in Hyderabad. He has more than 20 years of experience in treating various spine problems and is an expert in diagnosing the exact cause of your spine problem and suggesting the best course of treatment. He creates a tailored treatment plan based on the patient’s health condition and medical history that causes back pain or tingling. Call +91 9848024699 for appointments.