Upper and middle back pain, or thoracic pain, is common and can be debilitating. If back pain is severe or long-lasting, fellowship-trained pain management specialist Ben Shamloo, MD, FIPP, can help at Shamloo Elite Spine and Pain Institute in Beverly Hills, California. He provides advanced back pain treatments to offer you relief and restore your quality of life. Schedule an appointment with Shamloo Elite Spine and Pain Institute by phone or online today.
Thoracic pain is discomfort in your middle or upper back. The thoracic spine runs from the base of your neck to the lower part of the chest (below your breast bone). Sometimes, thoracic pain subsides on its own, but if it doesn’t or is severe, visit Shamloo Elite Spine and Pain Institute for an evaluation.
If you have thoracic pain, you might encounter one or more of the following.
Thoracic pain can range in severity from mild to severe, depending on what’s causing it. Dr. Shamloo can determine why your pain exists.
The cause of thoracic pain isn’t always known. It might be due to:
Risk factors for developing thoracic pain include poor posture, being overweight, lack of exercise, heavy lifting, repetitive motions, prolonged sitting, trauma, past surgery, and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
To diagnose the cause of thoracic pain, Dr. Shamloo asks about your symptoms and reviews your medical history. He completes a physical exam, may ask you to complete specific movements, and might recommend blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to find the root cause of your injury or condition.
Dr. Shamloo develops a personalized back pain treatment that’s right for you. He might suggest:
Rest, ice, heat, and over-the-counter pain relievers might be all you need to feel better while your injury heals.
Exercises and stretches that address your upper and mid-back can strengthen joints and muscles and alleviate nerve pressure.
Radiofrequency ablation gently heats nerve tissues to reduce pain signals traveling to your brain.
Steroid, trigger point, or numbing injections can reduce inflammation, tension, and thoracic pain.
Regenerative medicine injections containing stem cells or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) stimulate new cell growth and your body’s natural healing capabilities.
If you have chronic back pain, you may qualify for a spinal cord stimulator that disrupts pain signals.
Back surgery is reserved for severe cases of thoracic pain that don’t subside with other treatments. Dr. Shamloo offers minimally invasive procedures using state-of-the-art technology.
Don’t suffer from thoracic pain when numerous treatments are at your fingertips. Schedule an appointment with Shamloo Elite Spine and Pain Institute over the phone or online today.
