Thoracic Pain

Myofascial Pain, Facet Joint Pain

Mid back pain (also known as upper back pain, middle back pain and thoracic pain) can cause pain anywhere from your neck to the bottom of the rib cage. While mid back pain is not as common as low back pain, it can be very painful when it does appear.

ANATOMY OF THE MID BACK

The Thoracic Spine region, or the mid back, is comprised of 12 vertebrae, each connected to a rib on either side. The middle back serves as protection for your internal organs.

Thoracic pain is less common because the bones in this area are not as involved in movement as the lower back (lumbar). It is very uncommon to develop back and spine conditions such as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs or spinal stenosis in the mid back, or thoracic spine.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF MID BACK PAIN?

Mid back pain, or thoracic pain, can be experienced in conjunction with neck pain or shoulder pain. The most common causes of mid back pain include:

• An injury or trauma to the area
• Myofascial Pain
• Muscle strains / Muscle tears
• Joint Pain
• Sports injuries

Myofascial Pain, one of the most common causes of Mid back pain seen at University Spine & Pain Center, refers to the muscles of the back and is experienced with either overuse of the muscles or underuse of the muscles. This type of pain is commonly seen with athletes or those who are involved in sports and more prone to sports injuries.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MID BACK PAIN?

At University Spine & Pain Center, personalized treatment plans for mid back pain are designed for each individual patient by our team of Board Certified Back Pain Specialists. Treatment of mid back pain or upper back pain often involves a combination of Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy and Acupuncture.

Other non-surgical treatments for mid back pain relief include Trigger Point Injections.

WHAT DO I DO FOR MY MID BACK PAIN?

The first step in treating Mid back pain is to make an appointment to see a Back Pain Specialist or Spine Specialist for a diagnosis and to learn your Mid back pain treatment options.

MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME:

Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a chronic pain condition that is caused by damage to the fascia. The fascia are the soft, stretchy connective tissue that surround muscles, organs and other structures inside the body. Myofascial Pain Syndrome can involve both single muscle and group muscle tissues, causing chronic pain in muscles throughout the body, especially in the neck and the jaw.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME?

Pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissues and pain in sensitive areas in the muscles, known as trigger points, are symptoms caused by Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Other symptoms may include:

• Limited movement in joints
• Numbness and/or weakness
• Headaches
• Problems with balance

WHAT ARE TRIGGER POINTS?

People who suffer with Myofascial Pain Syndrome often develop painful bumps under the skin called trigger points. These small, tight knots can form at the point where the fascia comes into contact with muscle tissue. Trigger points can be felt beneath the skin and when pressed, cause pain and twitching in the underlying muscle.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME?

University Spine & Pain Center, personalized treatment plans are designed for each individual patient by our expert staff. Some of the treatment options for Myofascial Pain Syndrome at University Spine & Pain Center include Physical Therapy programs and Trigger Point Injections.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

The first step in treating Myofascial Pain Syndrome is to make an appointment to see a Pain Specialist to learn your treatment options.

FACET JOINT PAIN:

Facet Joint Syndrome is when the facet joints either weaken or become stressed and damaged. Several aspects of our everyday life cause this ailment; from everyday wear and tear to a specific injury to the back or neck and degeneration of a disc. Cartilage eventually wears away from protecting the facet joints, which can cause a variety of symptoms depending upon which region of the spine is damaged.

This physical ailment is usually treated conservatively at first with lots of rest, ice, heat, medication and physical therapy. If all of these methods fail, a facet rhizotomy or bone fusion may be needed to alleviate the symptoms. If you suffer from severe back pain, our experienced pain management specialists at University Spine & Pain can provide you with the effective treatment for back pain in Los Angeles.

Click here to find out more about our services and schedule an appointment!