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Thoracic Spine (Upper & Mid Back)

Other Specialties
Supporting your neck as well as your upper body and rib cage, your thoracic spine is a somewhat rigid structure made up of 12 vertebrae, or spinal bones. The cushions between each vertebrae, or thoracic discs, help allow for some movement. That said, the middle, and longest, section of spine is the most limited in extension. This rigidness adds to its ability to protect the heart and lungs while stabilizing your upper body. Your thoracic spine ends at the bottom of your rib cage, and along this spine section are major back and shoulder muscles that provide additional support while allowing you to twist and bend. As the rest of your spine, the vertebrae of the thoracic section surround and protect the spinal cord and nerve roots that transmit signals which enable you to feel and control your body. While your thoracic spine is strong and stabilizing, the muscles and other soft tissues are vulnerable to strain, and even the vertebrae can be damaged with trauma and degeneration. Upper and mid back pain is common, so some problems are the result of daily living, from lifting and moving boxes to sitting for extended periods. Other problems require expert care, and it can be difficult to know the difference.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

At Nebraska Spine + Pain Center, our surgeons and nonoperative doctors are all specialty-trained with years of experience dedicated to treating your pain at the source, from your upper back and mid back through your whole spine. If you have any of the symptoms listed below, our experts are here to offer the best care plan focused on you:

  • Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms, hands, and fingers
  • Pain starting in the back that radiates to the chest, rib cage, abdomen, arms, or legs
  • Persistent or chronic pain in the middle of your back or between your shoulders
  • Rounding of your upper back or curving in the middle or upper back
  • Stiffness in the back
  • Sudden, intense pain in your upper or mid back

FINDING THE PROBLEM

Our entire team of advanced specialists provides top-tier care for a range of problems that affect the thoracic spine and its structure, from muscular pain to nerve-related injuries and conditions.

When you visit us, your provider team will listen to your experiences and thoroughly examine affected areas, which may include advanced imaging and other diagnostics. With this information, your doctor will be able to diagnose your problem and help find the source of your pain or limitation. The most common diagnoses our doctors specialize in include:

  • Arthritis
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Kyphosis or scoliosis
  • Compression fractures
  • Herniated thoracic discs, or slipped discs, and bulging discs
  • Thoracic spinal stenosis or thoracic myelopathy
  • Thoracic spondylosis

FINDING THE SOLUTION

Once your diagnosis is carefully determined, your doctor will work closely with you and your care team to offer the evidence-based treatment options best-suited to alleviate your symptoms and keep you doing what you love. That is all we do every day at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center. Always beginning with conservative measures, such as medications, targeted exercises, and physical therapy, your doctor will find the right way to help you. Should interventional or surgical measures be needed, our doctors will use the least invasive methods possible, including utilizing image-guided and/or minimally invasive techniques and technologies. Whatever your needs, our specialists have the advanced expertise to perform the procedure that will restore function and give you relief.

UPPER & MID BACK ASSESSMENTS

At Nebraska Spine + Pain Center, we are prepared to identify and treat the source of your upper or mid back pain with confidence.

Our medical evaluations begin with an open discussion about your symptoms and pain levels, followed by a look at the anatomy of your muscular and skeletal systems using detailed imaging.

Our treatment plans are based around the demands of your lifestyle. We make it a priority to educate our patients about the options available to them—whether those include surgical or nonsurgical methods.

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CARING FOR YOUR PAIN: THORACIC SPINE

When you’re in pain, you deserve options that work for you. Your upper or mid back pain has a solution, and our pain doctors are here to be part of your comprehensive care team at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center.

Whether you need advanced diagnostics or a thorough care plan with nonsurgical treatments and recovery techniques, our physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists have you covered.

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MEET YOUR UPPER & MID BACK CARE TEAM

Our team of physicians and specialized clinical staff offers a full spectrum of conservative to complex back and pain treatments. Working together with you as part of your care provider team, your doctor will help you consider all your options and partner with you to develop the comprehensive treatment plan you need. At Nebraska Spine + Pain Center, we are driven to help you get back to living. To get started on getting better, meet with your back and spine care team in Omaha, Columbus, Fremont, Grand Island, or Norfolk. Call us today at (402) 496-0404 to schedule an appointment or use the button below.
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OUR Thoracic Spine (Upper & Mid Back) Experts

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Travis L. Bailey, M.D.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
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Timothy A. Burd, M.D.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
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J. Brian Gill, M.D., M.B.A.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
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John D. Hain, M.D.

Neurosurgeon
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Scott Haughawout, D.O., CIME

Interventional Spine Care – Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine
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Jeremiah P. Ladd, M.D.

Interventional Spine Care – Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine
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Michael C. Longley, M.D.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
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John W. McClellan III, M.D.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
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Matthew P. West, M.D., CSCS

Interventional Spine Care – Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine
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Chase C. Woodward, M.D., MPH

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
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Adam J. Schell, M.D.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
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Anatomy of the Spine
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Compression Fractures of the Spine
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Degenerative Disc Disease
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Herniated Disc
kyphosis_300
Kyphosis
myelopathy_300
Myelopathy
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Osteoporosis
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Post-Laminectomy Syndrome
scoliosis_300
Scoliosis
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Spinal Stenosis (Thoracic)
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Spondylosis
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Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (Intervertebral Spacer)
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Interlaminar Stabilization (coflex®)
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Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring (IONM; IOM)
kyphoplasty_300
Kyphoplasty (Balloon Vertebroplasty)
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Medial Branch Block
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Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant
spinalfusion_300
Spinal Fusion (Lumbar)
spineanat_300
Anatomy of the Spine
compressionfractures_300
Compression Fractures of the Spine
ddd_300
Degenerative Disc Disease
herniateddisc_300
Herniated Disc
kyphosis_300
Kyphosis
myelopathy_300
Myelopathy
osteoporosis_300
Osteoporosis
postlaminectomy_300
Post-Laminectomy Syndrome
scoliosis_300
Scoliosis
spinalstenosisthoracic_300
Spinal Stenosis (Thoracic)
spondylosis_300
Spondylosis
antcervdiscspacer_300
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (Intervertebral Spacer)
spinestabilizecoflex_300
Interlaminar Stabilization (coflex®)
iom_300
Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring (IONM; IOM)
kyphoplasty_300
Kyphoplasty (Balloon Vertebroplasty)
medialblock_300
Medial Branch Block
stimimplant_300
Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant
spinalfusion_300
Spinal Fusion (Lumbar)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About the Practice

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.

General FAQs

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.

Conditions & Treatments

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.