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For instance, suppose you’re going for a walk outside, getting fresh air, and then suddenly a severe pain pierces your upper back. When you switch to more shallow breathing, it starts to fade or goes away. Which could be the cause of your pain? Is it a muscle strain or an issue with inflammation?

There are many possible causes for such discomfort, says Su Hlaing Hnin, M.D., an internal medicine specialist with New York City’s Medical Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ. Dr. Hnin takes a better look and talks about when this kind of pain should be treated as an emergency.