Minor Causes

• Many times, pain in the abdomen or middle back is not serious. It may be caused by an injury, menstrual cramps, heartburn, constipation or other digestive problems.
  
  

Serious Concerns

• This type of pain may also indicate other, more serious concerns that generally fall into the category of problems in the digestive tract, gallbladder or urinary tract.
  
  

Digestive Problems

• When accompanied by heartburn, nausea and gas, middle back and abdominal pain may be caused by a peptic ulcer. Pain may also indicate pancreatic inflammation or, occasionally, pancreatic cancer.
  
  

Gallbladder Problems

• Stabbing pain in the area is characteristic of both gallstones and gallbladder infection. The pain is usually located in the higher part of the middle back, especially under the right shoulder.
  
  

Kidney Stones and Bladder Infections

• Pain surrounding the back and ribcage may indicate kidney stones. If painful urination is a symptom, it may be a bladder infection.