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Last Updated on November 27, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir
Feeling chest and back pain together on the right side can be scary and affect your daily life. At Liv Hospital, we understand your concern and are here to help. This pain can be from muscle strain or serious health issues.
The reasons for right side chest back pain are many. They can involve the heart, lungs, digestive system, or muscles. Knowing the causes is key to finding the right treatment. Our team is here to help you through your diagnosis and care, ensuring you get the best treatment.
Pain in the right chest and back can come from many sources. This makes it hard to figure out what’s causing it. We need to know about the area’s anatomy and how pain can move between different parts.
The right chest and back have muscles, bones, and organs. The chest has ribs, sternum, and organs like lungs and heart. The back has the spine, muscles, and soft tissues. Knowing this helps find where the pain comes from.
The area is held together by muscles and bones. The spine, made of thoracic vertebrae, is key. Any problem here can cause pain.
Pain in the chest and back can move from one place to another. For example, spine problems can send pain to the chest. Lung issues can also cause pain in the back or chest wall. This happens because nerves connect many structures.
Pain can move in several ways:
Knowing how pain moves is key to treating chest and back pain. By finding the pain’s source and how it spreads, doctors can create a better treatment plan.
Muscle strain and overexertion often cause chest pain on right side and back pain together. Physical activities like heavy lifting, bending, or sudden movements can strain muscles.
This strain can make it hard to tell if the pain is serious. We’ll look at activities that might cause this pain. We’ll also see how to tell if it’s muscle strain or something else.
Many activities can lead to muscle strain in the right chest and back. Some common ones include:
These activities can cause tiny tears in muscles. This leads to pain and discomfort on the right side of the chest and back.
It’s important to tell if right chest and back pain is from muscles or something else. Muscular pain usually:
Knowing these signs can help figure out if pain in right side of chest and back is from muscle strain. Or if you need to see a doctor.
Costochondritis happens when the cartilage between the ribs and breastbone gets inflamed. This can cause sharp pain in the chest that spreads to the back. It can really affect your daily life. Knowing what causes it, how to diagnose it, and how to treat it is key.
Costochondritis often comes from straining or injuring the chest. Sometimes, we don’t know why it happens. Heavy lifting or hard exercise can make it worse. Respiratory infections or arthritis can also play a part.
There are a few things that might make you more likely to get costochondritis:
To figure out if you have costochondritis, a doctor will do a detailed check-up. They might also do some tests to make sure it’s not something else. They’ll look for tenderness and check how well you can move.
For treating costochondritis, the goal is to ease the pain and reduce swelling. Here are some common ways to do that:
| Treatment Approach | Description |
|---|---|
| Over-the-counter pain relievers | Medicines like ibuprofen can help with pain and swelling. |
| Rest and avoiding strenuous activities | Letting the area heal can help symptoms go away. |
| Physical therapy | Doing gentle exercises can help move better and feel less pain. |
In some cases, stronger treatments might be needed. This could include prescription drugs or injections to fight swelling.
It’s important to know about costochondritis to manage its symptoms and find the right treatment. If you’re having ongoing or severe chest pain, see a doctor. They can find out what’s causing it and help you get better.
Right-sided chest and back pain can signal gallbladder disease, a serious issue needing quick medical help. We’ll look into how gallbladder problems, like gallstones and inflammation, can cause a lot of pain.
Gallstones are hard lumps in the gallbladder. If they block the cystic duct, it can cause cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder. This can lead to severe pain, often on the right side of the back.
Gallstones are common, and when they cause inflammation, symptoms like abdominal tenderness and fever can occur. Knowing the connection between gallstones, cholecystitis, and right-sided pain is key for diagnosis.
Pain from gallbladder disease usually starts in the right upper abdomen. It can spread to the right side of the back and chest. This right-sided chest pain that radiates to the back is a key symptom doctors look for when diagnosing gallbladder problems.
It’s important to note that pain patterns can differ from person to person. But usually, the pain is steady and can get worse with fatty meals. We’ll talk about why it’s important to recognize these patterns to tell gallbladder disease apart from other causes of right-sided chest and back pain.
In summary, gallbladder disease, including gallstones and cholecystitis, is a major cause of right-sided chest and back pain. Knowing the typical pain patterns and understanding the causes can help in getting the right medical care.
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs. This can be very dangerous and needs quick medical help.
Pulmonary embolism usually starts with a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs, called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Many things can raise the chance of getting DVT and then pulmonary embolism.
Knowing these risk factors helps prevent and catch problems early.
| Risk Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Prolonged Immobilization | Increases the risk of clot formation due to lack of movement. |
| Recent Surgery or Trauma | Can cause damage to veins, leading to clot formation. |
| Cancer and Its Treatment | Certain cancers and treatments can increase clotting factors in the blood. |
It’s important to know the symptoms of pulmonary embolism to get help fast. Common signs include:
If you or someone you know has these symptoms, like back chest pain right side or sharp chest pain right side and back pain, get emergency medical help right away.
Pulmonary embolism is a serious emergency that needs quick treatment. Knowing the risks and symptoms can save lives.
Pneumonia is a serious infection that can cause pain in the chest and back. It often comes with other respiratory symptoms. We will look into how pneumonia and other respiratory infections cause these symptoms. This will help you know when to get medical help.
Pneumonia and other respiratory infections can cause inflammation in the lungs. This inflammation can lead to chest pain. The pain can spread to the back, mainly if the infection affects the lower lobes of the lungs or causes pleurisy.
The pain from pneumonia can be sharp. It may get worse when you breathe deeply or cough.
Key factors contributing to chest and back pain in pneumonia include:
Pneumonia and other respiratory infections also come with other symptoms. These include cough, trouble breathing, and fever. These symptoms together can show a serious infection that needs medical attention.
Common accompanying respiratory symptoms include:
It’s important to know these symptoms to spot pneumonia and other respiratory infections early. If you have chest and back pain with respiratory symptoms, get medical care right away.
Pleurisy is when the pleura, a membrane around the lungs, gets inflamed. This can cause severe chest pain that spreads to the back. The pleura helps the lungs move smoothly when we breathe.
Pleurisy can happen for many reasons, like infections, injuries, or certain health issues. Infections are a big reason, with viruses being more common than bacteria. Pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other infections can cause pleurisy by affecting the pleura.
Other reasons include pulmonary embolism, where a blood clot blocks a lung artery, and autoimmune disorders like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. These can also cause pleurisy. Chest trauma can also lead to it.
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Infections | Viral or bacterial infections that directly involve the pleura, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis. |
| Pulmonary Embolism | A blood clot that obstructs a pulmonary artery, potentially causing pleurisy. |
| Autoimmune Disorders | Conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis that can cause pleurisy through inflammation. |
| Trauma | Chest injuries that can lead to pleurisy. |
The pain from pleurisy is sharp and stabbing, usually on one side of the chest. It gets worse with deep breathing, coughing, or moving. This pain can also spread to the back or shoulder.
People with chest pain on the right side and back or back pain and chest pain right side should be careful. Sometimes, the pain is accompanied by shortness of breath, fever, or cough. Knowing these symptoms can help doctors diagnose pleurisy.
We’ve looked at pleurisy, its causes, and its unique pain signs. It’s important to know these to figure out if chest pain is from pleurisy or something else. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s best to see a doctor.
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the herpes zoster virus. It can cause severe pain on one side of the body, like the right side of the chest and back. This condition has a painful rash and can really affect someone’s life.
We will look into how the herpes zoster virus comes back to life. We’ll also talk about the symptoms, mainly when it hits the right side of the chest and back.
The herpes zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, stays hidden in nerve cells. Later, it can wake up as shingles. The exact reasons for this reactivation are not fully understood. But things like aging, stress, and a weak immune system can make it more likely.
When shingles hits the right side of the chest and back, it can cause severe pain. This pain might feel like burning or stabbing. Along with the pain, a rash will show up. This rash follows the path of a specific nerve.
The symptoms of shingles can vary. But they often include:
When shingles hits the right side of the chest and back, it’s key to see a doctor. Early treatment can greatly improve outcomes.
Knowing about shingles and its effects on the right side of the chest and back helps. It lets people recognize the condition and get the right medical care. This can lower the risk of long-term pain and other issues.
Pain from pancreatic disorders can feel like it’s coming from the right side of the chest and back. This happens because of how the pancreas is connected to other important parts of our body.
The pancreas is in the upper belly. Problems like pancreatitis can make pain spread to the right chest and back. This pain comes from inflammation or irritation of the pancreas, which shares nerves with the chest and back.
Mechanisms of Referred Pain:
Pancreatic problems often come with digestive symptoms too. These can include:
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Nausea and Vomiting | Common in acute pancreatitis, can lead to dehydration |
| Abdominal Tenderness | Tenderness in the upper abdomen, may radiate to the back |
| Changes in Stool | May become fatty or oily due to pancreatic insufficiency |
Knowing these symptoms helps in diagnosing pancreatic issues. If you have ongoing or severe pain in the right chest and back, along with digestive problems, get medical help right away.
When you feel pain in your right chest and back, think about spinal issues. The spine is complex and can be affected by many conditions. This can cause pain that spreads to the chest and back.
A herniated disc happens when the soft center leaks out through a tear. This can press on nerves, causing pain in the chest and back on the right side. Nerve compression from herniated discs can lead to numbness, tingling, and pain.
The thoracic spine, in the middle, is less often linked to herniated discs than the lumbar or cervical areas. But, when it does happen, it can cause right-sided chest pain that radiates to the back. Knowing how the spine works and how conditions affect it is key to finding the source of pain.
Degenerative spinal conditions like osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease can also cause back chest pain right side. As we age, our spine’s discs can wear down, and joints can get inflamed, leading to pain.
These conditions can make the spine unstable, leading to nerve compression and pain that spreads to the chest and back. Middle back and chest pain can stem from these changes, often on the right side of the spine.
If you have ongoing or severe right chest and back pain, see a doctor. They can figure out what’s wrong and suggest treatments to help.
Cardiac issues can sometimes cause pain on the right side of the chest and back. This makes it hard to diagnose because the pain doesn’t always show up in the usual places. It’s not always in the middle or on the left side, like we usually see with heart problems.
Heart conditions can show up in different ways, sometimes with pain on the right side. This can happen for a few reasons:
For example, someone with spinal problems might feel pain on the right side of their chest and back because of a heart issue. This can be very confusing.
Telling the difference between heart pain and pain from other causes is very important. Here are some things to think about:
Knowing these differences helps doctors figure out if symptoms are from the heart. This ensures the right treatment is given quickly.
Knowing why you might have right chest and back pain is key. We’ve talked about many reasons, like muscle strain and serious health issues. These include gallbladder disease, pulmonary embolism, and heart problems.
If you have ongoing or severe pain in your right chest and back, get medical help fast. Early treatment can greatly improve your chances of recovery for many conditions.
Don’t ignore right chest and back pain, even if it’s not too bad. Signs like trouble breathing, fever, or really bad stomach pain are warning signs. Getting medical help early can really help your treatment.
Right chest and back pain can have many causes, some serious. If you’re not sure why you’re feeling pain or if it’s getting worse, see a doctor. They can help figure out what’s going on.
Muscle strain, costochondritis, and gallbladder disease are common causes. Other causes include pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, pleurisy, shingles, and pancreatic disorders. Spinal problems and cardiac conditions also play a role.
Muscle strain happens from heavy lifting, bending, or sudden movements. It leads to pain in the chest and back.
Costochondritis is inflammation of the rib cartilage. It causes chest pain that can spread to the back.
Yes, gallbladder disease, like gallstones and cholecystitis, can cause right-sided chest and back pain.
Blood clots, immobility, surgery, cancer, and genetic predispositions are risk factors for pulmonary embolism.
Pneumonia and other respiratory infections can cause chest and back pain. Symptoms include coughing and difficulty breathing.
Pleurisy is inflammation of the lung lining. It causes chest pain that gets worse with deep breathing or coughing.
Yes, shingles can affect the right side of the chest and back. It leads to significant pain.
Pancreatic disorders can cause referred pain in the right side of the chest and back. This is due to shared nerve pathways.
Yes, spinal problems like herniated discs and degenerative conditions can cause right-sided chest and back pain.
Yes, cardiac conditions can present with pain that seems like right-sided chest and back pain. This makes diagnosis tricky.
Seek medical help quickly if you have persistent or severe pain. This is true, even with other concerning symptoms.
Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and rapid heart rate are emergency signs of pulmonary embolism.
To tell muscular pain from serious conditions, you need a thorough medical check. This includes looking at your medical history, doing a physical exam, and running diagnostic tests.
Healthline. Chest and back pain: 14 causes, treatments, and more. https://www.healthline.com/health/chest-and-back-pain
Medical News Today. Chest and back pain: Causes and treatment. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321146
Vinmec International General Hospital. What causes pain on the right side of the chest? https://www.vinmec.com/eng/blog/what-causes-pain-on-the-right-side-of-the-chest-en
Norton Healthcare. Is it just chest pain or a heart attack? Here are 5 things that cause chest pain that aren’t a heart attack. https://nortonhealthcare.com/news/chest-pain-not-heart-attack/
