Written by Zita Sham, Fairuuz Saleh and Shiv Mohan Banka, Principal Physiotherapists at Phoenix Rehab.Clinically reviewed by Louise Yow, Principal Physiotherapist & Director, AHPC A1300363H.Last reviewed 28 September 2026.

Back pain is a common ailment known to affect 80% of adults in Singapore. While it can be caused by a variety of factors, one particular cause that often goes unnoticed is back pain when breathing in. This type of back pain can be both alarming and debilitating, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks.

In this article, we will explore the various causes of back pain when breathing in, including conditions related to lifestyle and injuries or deformities. We will also discuss when back pain may require prompt medical attention and the available treatment options.

Understanding the Chest Cavity

The chest cavity plays a crucial role in respiration, protection, and the functioning of multiple systems in the body. Also known as the thoracic cavity, it’s the second largest hollow space in the body, enclosed by the rib cage, vertebral column, and sternum (breastbone), and is separated from the abdominal cavity by the diaphragm.

The chest cavity contains various vital organs and structures, including the lungs, airways, heart, blood vessels, and oesophagus. It’s lined with a serous membrane called the pleura, which secretes a thin fluid to reduce friction during respiratory movements.

Causes of Back Pain While Breathing

As mentioned, the chest cavity or thoracic cavity, enclosed by several anatomical structures, protects many internal organs and structures. Any injury or trauma within or around the thoracic cavity may result in back or chest pain, with some warranting the patient to seek immediate medical care. Here are possible causes of back pain, especially while breathing deeply:

Conditions Related to Lifestyle

Several lifestyle factors can contribute to back pain when breathing in. Here are some of them:

Obesity

Excess body weight from normal adds stress on the spine, resulting in heightened pressure on the intervertebral discs and joints. This can result in disc degeneration, herniation, or compression of nerves, causing back pain. Obesity is also associated with respiratory problems that can affect breathing and can contribute to back pain.

Improper sleeping positions

Improper sleeping positions can contribute to back pain when breathing in by putting strain on the spine and affecting the alignment of the body. Sleeping in awkward positions can lead to misalignment of the spinal column, causing pain and discomfort.

Heartburn

Heartburn itself may not directly cause back pain when breathing in. However, in some cases, severe heartburn can lead to referred pain that radiates to the back and chest. This pain can be mistaken for back pain when breathing in.

Injuries or Deformities

Injuries and deformities can also be a significant cause of back pain when breathing in.

Muscle strain is a common injury that can occur from lifting heavy objects or sudden movements. This strain can cause pain that worsens when taking deep breaths.

Bruised or broken ribs or vertebrae can also lead to back pain when breathing in. The impact of a fall or accident can cause fractures or contusions, resulting in discomfort during respiration.

Additionally, scoliosis, a condition characterised by an abnormal curvature of the spine, can cause back pain when breathing in. The altered shape of the spine puts pressure on the surrounding muscles and nerves, leading to pain.

Another condition that can contribute to back pain when breathing in is a herniated disc. This occurs when the jelly-like substance within a spinal disc leaks, putting pressure on nearby nerves and causing pain.

Conditions that May Signal a Medical Emergency

While most cases of back pain when breathing in are not life-threatening, there are certain conditions requiring immediate medical attention. Here are some conditions that may warrant immediate or emergency medical attention:

Pleurisy

Pleurisy, also known as pleuritis, is the inflammation of the lining around the lungs or the inside wall of the chest. When pleurisy is present, breathing in deeply or coughing can worsen the pain, as it puts strain on the inflamed pleurae. This strain can also affect the back, leading to back pain when breathing in. It can cause sharp, stabbing pain in the chest and back, which worsens with breathing.

Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening respiratory illness that occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs. It can contribute to back pain when breathing in when the blood clot obstructs blood flow to the lungs, causing increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries. This increased pressure can then be transmitted to the adjacent structures, including the chest wall and back muscles, leading to pain and discomfort.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer can contribute to back pain when breathing in due to various reasons, which include the tumor itself pressing on the nerves in the spine or back. Another reason is the cancer spreading outside of the lungs can affect the bones or spine, resulting in back pain.

Heart attack

A myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood flow to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked, leading to tissue death in the heart muscle. While a heart attack itself may not directly cause back pain when breathing in, it can lead to referred pain that radiates to the back and chest and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. If you suspect you may be experiencing a heart attack, it is crucial to seek immediate medical help.

When Does Back Pain Need Prompt Medical Attention?

While most cases of back pain when breathing in can be managed with conservative measures, certain red flags warrant immediate medical attention. If you experience sudden, severe back pain that is accompanied by difficulty breathing, chest pain, or numbness and weakness in the extremities, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible. These symptoms may indicate a serious underlying condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment Options for Back Pain When Breathing

In many cases, back pain, when breathing in, resolves on its own with time and rest. If the pain is mild and does not persist or worsen, a wait-and-see approach may be appropriate. During this time, it’s important to avoid activities that exacerbate the pain and to practice good posture to relieve strain on the back. However, if the wait-and-see approach and resting doesn’t alleviate the pain, it’s time to consider the following treatment options:

Over-the-Counter Medication

For mild to moderate back pain when breathing in, over-the-counter pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can provide temporary relief. These medications help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. However, it is important to follow the recommended dosage and consult a healthcare professional if the pain persists or worsens.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can be an effective treatment option for back pain when breathing in. A physiotherapist such as that from Phoenix Rehab can assess the underlying causes of the pain and develop a personalised treatment plan focusing on back pain physiotherapy.

This may include exercises to strengthen the back muscles, improve posture, and increase flexibility. Manual therapy techniques, such as massage and spinal manipulation, may also be utilised to alleviate pain and improve mobility.

Surgery

In severe cases of back pain when breathing is caused by structural issues or injuries, it may be necessary for the patient to undergo a surgical procedure. Surgical interventions aim to correct deformities, repair damaged structures, or relieve pressure on nerves. However, surgery is typically considered a last resort when conservative measures have failed to provide relief.

Final Words

Back pain, when breathing in, can significantly impact our quality of life and hinder our ability to perform daily activities. If you are experiencing back pain when breathing in, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and develop an effective treatment plan. With the right approach, it is possible to alleviate pain, improve breathing, and improve overall back health.

If the pain is at the front, beside the breastbone, and pressing the spot reproduces it, read costochondritis. If it runs along one rib at the side and started with a cough or a twist, it is more likely an intercostal muscle strain.

Rib pain that started with a fall or a blow to the chest is covered in rib fracture.

Where are you with this right now?

1. It is settling on its own

Most episodes of back pain settle substantially within six weeks, and staying active beats resting. Scans early on tend to find changes that are common in people with no pain at all. If it is easing week on week and you are moving more rather than less, that is the normal course. You do not need us for this, and we would rather say so.

2. It has stopped improving

You think about how you will get out of the car before you park. You brace before you sneeze. You have stopped lifting anything off the floor without planning it.

What our patients say

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   Micah 
 54 days ago
 
 
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Amazing experience with Phoenix Rehab, was assisted by Mavis. She’s very kind and professional and did thorough check on my wrist. I feel very comfortable during the process.

I went in for thermoplastic splint, and everything went smoothly. She was able to address my needs on my left wrist sprain.

They were prompt with appointment process and inquiry. Also the clinic is very close to Tanjong Pagar MRT. I highly recommend!
  
 
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   Chiky Phan 
 58 days ago
 
 
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Fist time doing ultrasound for my tennis elbow!! Let’s hope it gets better the next few weeks!! Thank Mavis Tham!!
  
 
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   XIN WANG 
 75 days ago
 
 
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Great treatment from my therapist. My painful wrist felt a lot of relief after the session. I’m glad I can slowly get back to doing my usual activities without constant pain.
  
 
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   Abby Lee 
 91 days ago
 
 
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Very helpful and friendly !
  
 
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   雪梅Cui 
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The masseur is very professional and provides excellent service ，yati is very good!
  
 
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   Tra Nguyen 
 220 days ago
 
 
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I wasn’t able to close my fingers due to an injury. Nurul at Phoenix Rehab has helped me tremendously with my recovery process. I have been able to resume my daily activities and exercises after only a few sessions. Nurul has been very professional and positive throughout the entire process. Thank you so much for your help!
  
 
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   Juzer K 
 258 days ago
 
 
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Huge shoutout to Yuna Zhang from Phoenix Rehab for helping in my recovery from golfer’s elbow 🙌

I walked in with persistent elbow pain that was affecting workouts and everyday tasks, and Yuna immediately made me feel confident I was in the right hands. She took the time to properly assess my condition, explain the root cause, and tailor a treatment plan to my specific needs instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach.

What I really appreciated was how personalised every session felt. The exercises she gave me were practical, easy to follow, and actually worked. Within a short time, the pain reduced significantly and my strength and mobility improved much faster than I expected.

On top of that, the pricing is very reasonable and affordable, which made committing to recovery much easier.

Professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring — highly recommend Yuna at Phoenix Rehab if you’re dealing with hand-related sports injuries 💪
  
 
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   Fazal Hanafi Chaudhry 
 342 days ago
 
 
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I enjoy coming to Phoenix rehab as they offer a wide variety of services. I had a finger accident and was working with a very experienced hand therapist. Place is clean and comfortable.  Staff were friendly and appointment was on time
  
 
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   Stella Yam 
 483 days ago
 
 
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Very good
  
 
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   Juliana 
 485 days ago
 
 
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Have both physio n Tcm visits here, highly recommend!
  
 
 
  
 
 
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The pain leaving is not the same as the capacity coming back. If nothing was loaded again, the back returns to daily life with less than it had. That is the gap worth measuring, and it is not measured by how you feel on the day.

The Stalled Recovery Review is three appointments over three weeks with the same therapist, because what a joint does under load cannot be read in one visit. The first finds what is limiting it. The next two measure how it responds. $690, nett, no GST, which is three appointments at $230.

3. You have had surgery, or you have a date

Recovery after an operation has a shape, and knowing which stage you are in tells you whether you are on it. See the recovery programs, or lower back physiotherapy if you are not sure which applies to you.

All of it runs on the same four stages. The Phoenix Recovery Protocol explains what each stage works on and what you have to meet to move up. No referral needed to start.

Next step

Find out which stage you are in

Pain is the first thing to leave. Movement and strength are the last things trained back, and most people stop before that part is done. One Assessment and Treatment is a single 45-minute appointment at $230, nett, no GST. Your therapist finds what is actually limiting you, treats it in the same appointment, and you leave with your current stage and a written plan.

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Prefer to phone? Each of our five clinics has its own number on the clinics page. No referral needed to book.