Pain of the Thoracic Spine

Because the rib cage restricts motion of the thoracic spine, it is less susceptible to damage than the cervical and lumbar spine.

Occasionally there is a irritation of the nerves in-between the ribs, where they emerge from the spine. This stabbing nerve pain can resemble heart pain. Conversely, heart pain can radiate into the thoracic spine. With this pain there should always be a examination to exclude heart problems, especially for people in the middle and old age.

Pain of the thoracic spine is also seen with extremely rounded backs or flat backs. The pain is evoked through blockage, locking, developmental delays of the joint connections between rib and spinal column, or stiffening of the musculature, that erects the body.