Thoracic Spine
(Upper & Mid Back)

Not every doctor has completed a fellowship or earned certification through a medical specialty board, but these additional credentials speak to skill and experience.

A fellowship is exclusive, additional specialty training beyond the requirements for specialization. Completion shows that the doctor has gained additional knowledge and skill in their field.

Board certification is acquired only after a doctor has been in practice and met or exceeded rigorous standards in patient care and applied knowledge.

A referral is not required to see one of our doctors at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center.

For insurance or workers’ compensation purposes, a referral may be necessary. Feel free to confirm with your provider, employer, or our office.

You or your care advocate can simply call our friendly team members at (402) 496-0404 to schedule an appointment directly.

You can also use our online appointment request feature any time to request an appointment now, and we will follow up with you to schedule your appointment.

Our doctors believe in precise and effective care and offer second opinions to ensure the absolute highest level of care.

Please call us at (402) 496-0404 to schedule an appointment, or work with your care team or employer if any approvals are necessary first.

If you’re in pain and it’s not improving with rest or over-the-counter medications, you should not have to tolerate that pain any longer. Seeing a doctor will help you find the source of that pain and start you on your journey to relief.

Once conservative measures, such as medications, exercises, physical therapy, or even interventional procedures do not or no longer adequately relieve your pain or limitations, you may want to consider surgery. 

Our surgeons at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center only recommend surgery when nonsurgical options have first been exhausted completely. 

Pain along the neck and back affects everyone at some point in life, and as we age, our spine will start degenerating with wear and tear as well as the aging process. Focusing on your overall health and physical conditioning can go a long way in preventing pain of all sorts. 

To help prevent spine- and nerve-related pain, you can follow these general best practices: 

• Avoid tobacco products.
• Be sure to stretch and warm up before doing any rigorous activities.
• Do not overexert yourself when exercising or when moving or lifting heavy objects.
• Eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and minimize alcohol and inflammatory foods, such as refined sugars.
• Keep moving throughout the day and maintain good posture.
• Stay active and maintain a healthy weight.
• Stay well-rested and minimize your stress.

Physical therapy is a very common treatment as well as a rehabilitation method for the complete range of musculoskeletal needs.

Our physical therapy team at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center will work with you and your doctor to develop a comprehensive, targeted program for you based on your needs and goals.

Using techniques to increase your strength and range of motion, physical therapy can even relieve pain and improve function without surgery or other treatments in some cases.

When a spinal disc between your vertebrae, or spinal bones, is misaligned or slips out of place, this is called a herniation, slipped disc, or ruptured disc.

Herniated discs occur for a number of reasons, from sudden injury to degeneration in the disc over time. This herniation often results in spinal deformity, pain, and other nerve symptoms, such as numbness and tingling.

When the spaces between your spinal discs compress or shrink, it puts pressure on your spinal cord and the nerves going through your spine. This narrowing of the space around your spinal cord is called spinal stenosis.

In some cases, surgery may be recommended to create additional space for your spinal cord or nerves. Spinal stenosis is most commonly found in the neck, or cervical spine, and low back, or lumbar spine.

Symptoms include pain in the lower back or neck and muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in the arms, and even sciatica (shooting pains in the buttocks and legs).

Your vertebrae, or spinal bones, protect your spinal cord and have openings that protect the nerve roots that extend out into your body. When a nerve root along your spine is irritated or compressed, the condition is known as radiculopathy. Spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and herniated discs can all lead to radiculopathy.

Your symptoms may vary depending on the location of the radiculopathy, but pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the limbs are all common.

When a vertebra or spinal bone collapses, this is known as a compression fracture. The pain can be severe when the fracture occurs, and it can lead to additional problems with the spinal cord, discs, and nerves.

Compression fractures are most commonly associated with osteoporosis, or weakened bone structures. Severe trauma as well as spinal cancer can also cause these fractures.

Many forms of back, neck, and spine-related pain can be reduced or resolved with nonsurgical methods. These include:

• Bracing
• Lifestyle and activity modifications
• Nerve blocks (to stop pain signals) and other interventional procedures
• Over-the-counter and prescription medications
• Pain injections
• Physical therapy

Your surgical options will depend on a number of factors, especially your diagnosis. Regardless of the source of your pain and the area affected, once you choose to pursue a treatment plan, your Nebraska Spine + Pain Center surgeon will proceed with the least invasive option for you to ensure you can recover as quickly and effectively as possible. This includes minimally invasive spine surgery.

Our team of advanced specialty surgeons at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center has exceptional skill and expertise in the best, evidence-based techniques, technologies, and protocols in spine care. With our team, you will be in the most capable hands, placed in only the most optimal, state-of-the-art facilities, and led with skill and understanding every step of the way.