Thoracic back pain is uncommon and caused by joint problems or soft tissue injuries. Treatment options include medication, physical therapy, nerve stimulation, and surgery. Delaying treatment can lead to more serious problems, and free medical services may be available.
Thoracic back pain is pain centered in the mid-upper back, corresponding to the thoracic spine. This is a relatively unusual position for back pain, as this section of the spine is designed to provide reinforcement to the rib cage and is very strong and rigid, unlike the flexible cervical and lumbar spines. Because it is stiffer, it is less prone to injury, as it is not designed to move and resists movement that could cause spinal injury.
The two most common reasons people develop thoracic back pain are joint problems in the thoracic spine and soft tissue injuries around this area of the spine. Joint problems can include compressed or ruptured discs, stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal, and the development of bone spurs around the spine. Some are congenital and others can be caused by strains or diseases. Medical imaging studies usually reveal changes in the joints, including hot spots indicative of inflammation in and around the bone.
Soft tissue injuries involve inflammation of the muscles used to support and stabilize the spine. These injuries can be caused by strain, surgery, physical trauma, or disease. Patients may notice radiating pain associated with damage down the length of a muscle. The onset of this type of thoracic low back pain can be very sudden in some cases, unlike joint problems, which tend to slowly increase in intensity over time.
Treatment options for thoracic back pain may include pain medications, massage, physical therapy, nerve stimulation with electrodes, and surgery. More conservative pain management techniques are usually tried first to limit the risks to the patient. If these aren’t effective, a doctor may recommend pursuing more aggressive options. A spinal surgeon may be involved in evaluating a patient with back pain and developing a treatment plan appropriate to the patient’s condition and overall health care needs.
Thoracic back pain should not be ignored. It can be a sign of an underlying medical problem and can get worse if not addressed properly. Patients concerned about evaluation and treatment fees may be able to access free medical services through a community clinic or college. The longer people wait for treatment, the worse the problem can get, and patients can go from having a manageable spine problem to developing a serious problem that will require extensive treatment.
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