Middle Ground Mystery: Uncovering the Causes of Mid Back Pain!
Dec 22, 2023 -- Posted by :The thoracic portion of the spine the longest part of the spine and is made up of twelve vertebrae (T1-T12), which lies between the cervical spine (C1-C7) and the lumbar spine (L1-L5). The thoracic spine protects the very important spinal cord that begins in the brain and runs down to approximately T12 where the cord turns into what looks like a horse’s tail (the cauda equina). The spinal nerves then travel into the lumbar spine and sacrum (tailbone) and innervate the low back, pelvis, legs, and feet. Nerve roots exit at each vertebral level of the spine innervating the upper (cervical), middle (thoracic) and lower (lumbar) portions of the body.
Examining the T1-T12 nerves more closely, the T1-T2 nerves provide motor and sensory innervation to the upper chest, inner arms, and hands, enhancing strength in the deep hand muscles. Nerves T3-T5 are responsible for innervating the chest wall, aiding in controlling the rib cage, lungs, and diaphragm—the muscle that divides the chest from the abdominal cavity and facilitates breathing. Nerves T6-T12 are involved in innervating the muscles of the abdomen and back, collaborating with lumbar nerves to support core stability, balance, posture, and the mechanism of coughing.
The thoracic spine plays a crucial role in supporting the rib cage, which safeguards the lungs, heart, and major vessels that circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout the body while exchanging carbon dioxide for oxygen in the lungs during respiration. This process occurs automatically, governed by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), comprising sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, with many sympathetic nerves originating in the thoracic area.
In contrast to the cervical and lumbar spine segments, which are designed for flexibility, the thoracic spine is more rigid and stable, reducing the likelihood of injury. Common causes of mid-back pain include bad posture; extended periods of sitting; structural conditions like scoliosis or hyperkyphosis; ligament sprains from sudden movements or injuries; trauma resulting in rib or thoracic spine fractures; compression fractures from osteoporosis; and repetitive stress injuries from continuous lifting, bending, and twisting.
Doctors of chiropractic are trained to evaluate and treat patients with MBP utilizing various forms of manual therapies (including spinal manipulation, mobilization, and massage), exercise training, posture retraining, and more.
So, if you are experiencing back pain, lower back pain, or pain in the coccyx and type in pain management near me or chiropractor near me, you may find Coast Chiropractic Centers with Dr. Timothy Harcourt, me, comes up.
You may wonder, “Do I need an MRI scan of my back and who in my area can refer me?”
Also, if you feel leg pain it may indicate things are getting worse and may indicate a bulge on the disc or worse yet a herniated disc in your back. Some people will try stretching the lower back first to see if they get relief from their back pain. Pain very low in the lower back may be originating from the coccyx or tailbone. A pulled muscle in the back generally will get better with rest. Persistent or worsening pain intensity and/or frequency necessitates a visit to see a professional around you.
Check out what the experts say about chiropractic care for back pain here:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32749874/
Call me, Dr. Tim Harcourt, at Coast Chiropractic Centers at (239) 278-3344 or stop by on your day off for a walk in visit and mention this article for an awesome discounted first visit to include history, exam, and adjustment or Class IV high-intensity laser treatment.
So if you find yourself experiencing lower back pain while running or doing physical activities or if you are suffering from back pain that is affecting your quality of life and allowing you to enjoy Fort Myers Beach. Come see us at Coast Chiropractic Centers located on 7270 College Parkway.
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If you would like to avoid getting back pain in the first place or to take a proactive approach to your health and wellness nearby, our membership program called Club C may be just the thing for you with great cost savings, convenience, and even more importantly, a plan to get your health back and keep it.
Don't let back pain stop you from enjoying the beautiful SWFL! Dr. Tim Harcourt is here to give you the relief you need.