“Can your back being out of alignment cause shortness of breath?”

If the pain is very intense, it may. If your mid back is "out of alingment" it may cause sharp pain with inhlalation that then makes you feel short of breath. Sometimes bad muscle spasms can also make you feel short of breath.

Possibly with rib involvement.

There are many potential causes of shortness of breath, but yes, if your spine and rib cage is stuck out of alignment, then Chiropractic treatment can help that cause of shortness of breath. Thorough patient history and exam should be first performed to rule out some of the other potential causes of the shortness of breath. Some are very serious and dangerous causes like Cardiopulmonary disease or disorders which may require immediate emergency medical care.

Yes. This usually occurs with costovertebral subluxations or thoracic radiculitis. Other conditions that seem like back pain can cause this too that may require a medical work up. A review of systems and more complete history would help.

Yes. It can cause reduced motion of the ribs causing shallow breathing. If left it will just get worse.

It is possible. An exam would determine the cause of the shortness of breath.

Yes it can

EVERYTHING is controlled and activated by your nervous system! If you have restricted joints (out of alignment), the nerves that exist at the point can be impeded from doing their job – keeping the end organs (your lungs, muscles, ligaments and tendons) from performing at their best. Removing the restriction from the joints may make your condition better…
Be careful in thinking one-dimensionally – having shortness of breath can have SO many causes of which restricted nerve flow is only one possibility. Other possibilities include (not limited to): small blood clots in the lungs that are blocking blood flow, decreased capability of your blood from carrying oxygen (iron deficiency or iron binding issues), lung infection, exposure to chemicals or other environmental toxins, pneumonia, C-19, muscle diseases (MS, emphysema, etc.), even visiting or moving to a higher elevation. Work with your chiropractic provider to determine if your condition responds favorably with chiropractic (short trial course of care) or if you need to be referred to an MD or other specialist based on their exam findings.

Best of health,

Dr. Armour, D.C.

Absolutely. Misalignments of the thoracic spine and especially the costovertebral joints (rib to vertebrae connection) can cause difficulty taking a good inspiration. Adjustments can help tremendously. However, do make sure that your physician checks your heart and lungs to make sure that there is not a problem there.
Take care and be well.

Dr. Eric Miller

Yes it can, especially if the ribs have gone out of alignment.