Upper Back/ Thoracic Pain
The thoracic spine is made up of twelve vertebrae, labeled T1-T12. While the cervical spine is built for flexibility (e.g. turning the head) and the lumbar spine is built for power and flexibility (e.g. lifting heavy objects, touching the toes), the thoracic spine is built for stability. This stability plays an important role in holding the body upright and providing protection for the vital organs in the chest.
The thoracic spine is an intricate construct of bones, connective tissues, nerves, muscles, spinal segments, and joints. While the thoracic spine has a solid construction and is relatively stable, it can also be a source of pain.
Common Calf Injuries
Back Muscle Pain
Whiplash Injury
Scheuermann’s Disease
Scoliosis
Spondylosis/Spondylolysis
Spinal Stenosis
Rib Stress Fracture
Bulging Disc – Slipped Disc – Herniated Disc
Degenerative Disc Disease
Nerve Pain
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Fibromyalgia
Arthritis
Osteporosis
What Causes Common Thoracic Injuries?
Upper back pain is most commonly caused by muscle irritation or tension, also called myofascial pain. The cause may be poor posture or any type of irritation of the large back and shoulder muscles. Pain can also caused by joint dysfunction, where the ribs attach to the spine at each level of the thoracic spine, can cause pain. Pain caused by joint dysfunction, where the ribs attach to the spine at each level of the thoracic spine, can cause pain.While less common in the thoracic spine, degenerative disc disease or a thoracic herniated disc can be a source of pain. Swelling due to arthritis in the spine can cause tenderness, pressure to the nerve, and limited range of motion. Compression fractures due to osteoporosis are a main cause of thoracic spine pain in the elderly. While compression fractures can occur anywhere in the spine, they typically occur in the lower vertebrae of the thoracic. In addition to vertebral fractures, kyphosis can be caused by many factors, such as poor posture or a deformity, such as ankylosing spondylitis or Scheuermann’s kyphosis. Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine abnormally curves sideways and can sometimes produce upper back pain.
Common Treatments for Upper Back/ Thoracic Pain & Injury
Treatment depends on the underlying pathology. In our physiotherapy center you probably going to receive the following treatments: