Dr. Michael Minond

New York City Chiropractor

Holistic Wellness through Advanced Chiropractic and Nutritional Care

Thoracic Pain Upper Back Pain

The spine is generally divided into three major parts. The cervical spine, which contains the neck, the lumbar spine, which is the bottom portion of the spine, and the thoracic spine which contains the upper back and middle back. Each vertebra in the spine is numbered.

The thoracic spine contains vertebrae 1-12. The thoracic spine is known for being the strongest portion of the spine. This portion of the spine is the portion that allows humans to stand erect and is the portion that protects the internal organs located within the chest.

Patient Testimonials

"There were several times that I thought I was suffering from a heart attack, only to be told by the ER doctors that the pain was all in my head. Thank you Dr. Minond, for listening to me and giving me a thorough examination.

It turned out that I had a bulging disc that was causing me thoracic pain. You explained to me how the pain in my neck was showing up in my chest.

Thanks to all your different treatments, I rarely suffer from any pain. I just can't thank you enough."

-Nick, age 47

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Minond

New York City Chiropractor, Dr. Michael Minond

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New York City Chiropractor Conveniently Located in the NYC Manhattan West Village Area 10014

The thoracic spine does not move as much as the lumbar and cervical spine, as these are the portions of the spine that have been designed to allow movement.

What is Thoracic Pain?

Thoracic pain is pain that is localized in the portion of the spine known as the thoracic region. Although pain in this region is not as common as pain in the lumbar and cervical portions of the spine, it still occurs. Thoracic pain may often present as pain in the ribs, chest, or arms and shoulders. What may feel like rib pain or chest pain is often thoracic spine pain.

The nerves contained within the thoracic spine are extremely important as they contain the nerve bundles for the heart, lungs, stomach, and liver. The thoracic spine is connected to the rib cage. This connection stabilizes the thoracic spine and restricts movement. Because the thoracic spine is responsible for the nerves of so many vital organs and because its main function is to protect the heart and lungs, any pain experienced in the area should be considered an important warning sign.

Symptoms of Thoracic Pain

Thoracic pain symptoms can vary widely based on what is the root cause of the pain. I have seen patients who complain of a pain that begins in the shoulders and radiates down the back. Other symptoms of thoracic pain I have seen include a loss of balance in patients, difficulties standing erect and walking, a general weakness of the spine, and bladder problems.

Some patients have even come here complaining of chest pain and difficulty breathing. I had one patient that said he had made over 14 different trips to the ER and that the doctors had ruled out heart and lung problems. He was told that the pain was "in his head." It turned out that the pain was in his thoracic spine, not his head.

Please note that if you do experience chest pain and difficulty breathing please go immediately to an ER to rule out heart problems. Symptoms of thoracic spine pain most often seen in teenagers are presented as a deep throbbing pain often felt in the upper back and shoulders, which is generally given some relief by massage.

Causes of Thoracic Pain

Thoracic back pain can be caused by several different factors including injury or trauma to the upper back or muscle strain caused by poor posture. Many of my female patients who come to me because of thoracic pain are those who spend hours at a personal computer. Teenagers often suffer from thoracic pain caused by poor posture.

Thoracic pain caused by muscle strain and poor posture is often accompanied with pain in the neck or cervical spine area and pain in the shoulders. Injuries and trauma to the thoracic region of the spine often result in a herniation of the thoracic discs. Other causes of thoracic pain include:

Thoracic arthritis

Fractures of the thoracic region

Compression and bulging of thoracic discs

Degenerative disc disease

Thoracic pain can also be caused by sleeping poorly in an incorrect position or by a sudden twisting of the back when lifting or bending.

Thoracic Pain Treatments

I start with an x-ray of the spine for people who come to me complaining of pain in thoracic spine. While x-rays will not show me your spinal discs, they will show me if any of your vertebra are out of line.

X-rays also show me if any of your discs have built up large deposits of calcium. These "calcified" discs will appear to me on a x-ray and are usually indicative of a thoracic disc herniation. I will also ask you questions about your symptoms and your daily activities. You may find yourself answering questions such as:

Where is your pain centralized?

Has this pain restricted your day-to-day activities?

Have you recently been in an accident or suffered an injury?

Did you recently lift or move anything that was heavy?

Once I have diagnosed your condition, then you and I will discuss detailed, non-invasive treatments that are designed to restore you to a pain-free, full-functionality existence. Treatments may involve measures such as spinal manipulation, stretching exercises, and exercises designed to improve posture.

Nutritional Supplements made from whole foods are reviewed and considered to help accelerate the repair of your ligaments and joints. I may also be recommending a supportive mattresses and pillows to protect your back and joints as you sleep, if this appears to be an issue.

Rest assured that I have been working with patients just like you for many years. Together, we can come up with an individual treatment plan that will be safe and effective.