Thoracic Spine Pain
What is Thoracic Spine Pain?
Thoracic spine pain, commonly referred to as mid or upper back pain, is any pain in the region from the base of the neck to the waist. There are twelve thoracic vertebrae, and the nerves that branch from the spinal cord and travel between them govern different functions. Thoracic spine pain can come from nerves, vertebral joints, the spinal cord, and the vertebrae themselves. Ligaments and muscles of the spine, shoulder, and ribs can also contribute to pain and symptoms in this region.
Symptoms of Thoracic Spine Pain
The pain affecting the upper back can come on suddenly or gradually following an acute injury or result from a long-standing or chronic issue. Pain can radiate throughout the limbs and present as numbness, tingling, or an electric shock-like sensation. The upper back muscles can become tight, and the area around the spine can become inflamed. The tightness can also affect the range of motion for one or more limbs or your ability to twist and bend forward or backward. If an injury to the neck, low back, or shoulder, occurs the thoracic spine region can also become painful due to the shared connections between areas. If you have been experiencing persistent pain or recently experienced an injury, call our clinic for an examination.
Thoracic Spine Pain and Automobile Accidents
Automobile accidents can cause several different joint and muscle-related problems. The impact travels through the body like a shockwave and can pass through the spine in a whiplike motion. When this happens, it can damage the connections between vertebrae, resulting in pressure on the nerves. The pain can be mild or severe, depending on the nature of the injury.
In an automobile accident, the body is subject to considerable forces that damages connective tissues between the vertebrae (ligaments) or between the muscles and the vertebrae (tendons). Damage to these connective tissues can also affect the surrounding tissues, such as nerves or other muscles attached to the vertebrae. In very severe cases, surgery is necessary to repair extensive damage. If surgery is required, a rehabilitative component will comprise part of the recovery process after the patient is clear for this stage of care. Even mild injury will benefit from a guided program of rehabilitation performed by a team of professionals.
Other Causes of Thoracic Spine Pain
Some other causes of thoracic spine pain include:
Trauma/Injury
An acute injury occurs when the body meets an amount of force that it cannot withstand. Sports or other acute injuries can result in thoracic spine pain by damaging muscles, ligaments, nerves, and bones subject to overwhelming forces.
Prolapsed Discs
A bulging or ruptured disc can contact the spinal cord or a related nerve, causing pain. The pain may also present with altered function of the region the nerve supplies.
Repetitive or Sudden Motion
Either of these can result in damage or irritation to connective tissues, joints of the spine, and nerves.
Poor Posture
Poor posture can compromise the joints and nerves of the thoracic spine and create muscular imbalances that further generate pain and discomfort.
Muscular irritation
If a medical condition or other situation causes one’s muscles to become inflamed, they can spasm or become rigid, resulting in pain.
Illness
Certain diseases or conditions can cause back pain. Osteoporosis and arthritis are common examples.
Risk Factors
Below are a few factors that can increase the risk of developing upper back pain. Here are a few:
Age. The risk of back pain increases with age.
Excess Weight. Excess weight means that your back and related connective tissue must resist more force more often, resulting in increased load and pain.
Prolonged Sitting. Sitting for extended periods can contribute to muscle weakness and poor posture. People with jobs or activities that require extended sitting are at a greater risk.
Lack of Exercise/Muscle Weakness. Poor muscle tone means that the muscle doesn’t naturally resist the forces acting on the back and spine, allowing those forces to damage connective tissue or take the back out of alignment.
Use of a Backpack or Shoulder bag. Backpacks enable the weight of their contents to create pressure and load that can irritate the spine.
Overuse/Repetitive Motion. When working at a job that requires one to perform the same task repetitively, people often have a greater risk of developing back pain. Overuse of muscles and connective tissue can cause them to sustain damage or wear.
Poor Mental Health. People with certain mental health conditions stand a greater risk of developing back pain.
Smoking. Smoking leads to an increased risk of developing back pain from osteoporosis. It can also cause coughing, which can aggravate mid and upper back muscles.
Treatment
Radius Clinic Treats Thoracic Spine Pain in any Form. Thoracic pain can lead to a diminished capacity for movement, thus hindering the individual’s ability to participate in everyday activities.
If you have an injury or pain in the thoracic spine region, a team of professionals who are well-versed in treating your particular problem can make all the difference. Radius providers perform a thorough examination in the area of your complaint and, by gathering data through orthopedic testing, can arrive at a diagnosis and explanation for your pain. This examination allows us to create a treatment plan so you can take confident steps towards recovery from this initial examination.
Prevention
For those interested in avoiding back pain, there are some positive steps to take. Many of these have other positive effects on your health as well.
Drive safely
At or below the speed limit, safe driving drastically reduces your chances of getting into an automobile accident.
Exercise
A good workout program will help you maintain a healthy weight, which reduces the load on your back. It also improves the health and efficiency of your muscles, enabling you to use them longer without injury. Lifting weights makes your muscles stronger, allowing them to resist more force, thereby protecting your back from harm. Stretching ensures that your muscle and connective tissue won’t be too tight when they are called upon to resist force.
Quit Smoking
Smoking cessation means you won’t be coughing as often; it also increases blood flow to the spine, which helps you avoid osteoporosis.
Use Proper Technique
When you stand up, sit down, or lift something heavy, follow the correct protocols for distributing force throughout your body so that your back won’t have to carry too much weight. Be smart, don’t overdo it. If you are fatigued, take a break. Recharge with some water or electrolytes.
Have Good Eating Habits
Good nutrition will help you maintain the desired weight and give your body the raw materials it needs to build healthy cells, bones, and connective tissue. It also gives you energy and the fuel your muscles need to resist the forces acting on your back. With proper nutrition and maintenance, your body can handle repetitive motion, as well as sudden unexpected movements or impacts that can cause back pain.
Choose Radius Physical + Sports Rehab
At Radius, we specialize in treating musculoskeletal pain of all kinds. If you’ve recently suffered a significant injury, call on a team of experts who know how to help the body recover lost strength and motion while healing. Radius operates two clinics in the Sacramento Valley, one in Roseville and one in Grass Valley. If you live in the counties of Sacramento, El Dorado, Nevada, or Placer, call or stop by one of our locations, and we would be happy to examine you and see what’s causing your pain. With the right approach and a little patience, we are confident that we can help your body heal so that you can get back to your busy life.
We have locations in Roseville and Grass Valley.