Thoracic Pain Treatment in Indiana
Thoracic back pain occurs in the thoracic spine, which is located behind the chest and extends from the lower part of the neck (the cervical spine) to the start of the lower back (the lumbar spine). If you’ve experienced this type of pain at any point in your life, you may want to consider getting thoracic back pain treatment. APAC Centers for Pain Management in Indiana is dedicated to making sure that your thoracic back pain is more manageable so you can have a normal life. If you’re in Indiana and are experiencing upper back pain, give APAC Centers for Pain Management a call or schedule a consultation with us today.
Thoracic Back Pain Symptoms
- Have you had a recent fall, car accident, or trauma to your back?
- Did you feel pain while lifting heavy weights?
- Has your pain gotten worse over time?
- Are you stiff in the morning?
- Are you experiencing pins and needles in your legs?
- Do your legs feel numb occasionally?
- Are you experiencing occasional incontinence (bathroom accidents)?
- Did you recently experience a bacterial infection?
Common Causes of Thoracic Back Pain
- Thoracic stenosis
- Slipped discs
- Thoracic herniated disc
- Compression fractures
- Osteoporosis
- Shingles
- Spondylitis
- Tumors of the spine
- Bacterial infection
Thoracic Back Pain Relief Options
- Use an OTC painkiller such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen to help relieve the pain.
- Try topical gels such as diclofenac gel, which can be bought OTC
- A hot compress or a hot water bottle can relieve pain in the short term
Treatments for Severe Thoracic Spine Pain
At APAC Centers for Pain Management in Indiana, we offer treatments for moderate to severe thoracic spine pain that other pain centers don’t. We provide a wide array of services and procedures to treat your pain. Our pain management experts use a multidisciplinary approach, combining powerful medications, anesthesia, physical therapy, and rehabilitation techniques to make sure our patients can take back their lives.
Our treatments for thoracic pain include:
Epidural Blocks
An epidural block is performed by injecting pain medication into the epidural area, near the spinal cord and nerves. This prevents the nerves from transmitting pain signals, which allows for thorough relief of thoracic pain. The physician numbs the area, places a needle into the epidural space, and injects the pain medication. It’s great for herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, inflammation, and sciatica.
Facet Nerve Blocks
A facet nerve block treats thoracic pain by injecting pain medication into the area of the facet joints. Facet joints are joints that guide the movement of the spine. This is best used for people with arthritis of the facet joints.
Radiofrequency Ablation
This procedure is done by sending an electrical current into the area where the pain exists. Radiofrequency ablation is done by using a special needle to direct a current into the back, which will allow the physician to determine which nerves are sending the pain signals. These nerves are then numbed to minimize pain.
Depending on the cause of your thoracic pain, you may qualify for other treatments. Learn more about our pain treatment options: Pain Treatment Indiana
