There was a patient that came in and was complaining of have neck pain. After I talked to him he told me that he had had this for a long time. I asked him how long and he told me, “Oh about a year or so.” I then asked, “So what did you do when it started?? He replies, “I just put a heating pad on it, took some aspirin and rode it out.” I asked, “So did it get better?” He said, “No not really but I thought it would go away.”
There are many sources of dysfunction in the upper back (thoracic spine), especially when you consider the numerous joints and the interlacing of muscles that make up the thoracic spine and rib cage. These can cause neck pain, headaches etc.
If one muscle or joint is injured or inflamed, (and this happens a lot if you use a computer) it can create a cascade of pain and dysfunction that can be difficult to treat.
The mid and upper back is known as the thoracic spine. It is the largest portion of the spine, consisting of 12 of the 24 spinal bones (vertebrae). For comparison, the neck (the cervical spine) has 7 small vertebrae while the lower back (the lumbar spine) has 5 bigger vertebrae. All of the thoracic vertebrae articulate with your ribs and together protect the thorax–hence the name, thoracic spine.
If you’re having any kind of ache or pain and it really doesn’t go away in 3 days you’d be smart to call the office and get an examination. If you don’t take care of it immediately it’ll only get worse, and could grow bone on bone to help stabilize the area. Whatever you do, don’t take medications to just cover up your symptoms.
Call the office now if you have a friend or relative that needs to talk to me. We’re here to help people. Make the appointment now.