Why Thoracic Spine Disc Herniations are Less Common & What To Do If You Have One!

The Thoracic spine is a unique section of your spine that has many special features. Thoracic spine disc herniations are relatively uncommon compared to cervical and lumbar disc herniations due to several anatomical and biomechanical factors.

Five Reasons Why The Thoracic Spine Is Special

1.  Less Mobility: The thoracic spine is less mobile than the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine because it is stabilized by the rib cage. This reduced movement decreases the likelihood of wear and tear on the intervertebral discs in the thoracic region.
2. Structural Support: The Thoracic spine has additional support from the ribcage and sternum (breastbone) which distribute the forces that go into the middle part of your spine more evenly and reduce the direct load on the thoracic intervertebral discs.
3.  Lower Mechanical Stress: The Thoracic spine typically experiences less mechanical stress and strain compared to the lumbar spine which supports more of the body’s weight and has a wider range of motion.
4. Anatomical Differences: The intervertebral discs in the thoracic region are thinner and less prone to herniation compared to the discs in the cervical (neck) or lumbar (low back) regions.
5.  Spinal Curvature: The natural kyphotic (rounded) curvature of the thoracic spine may also contribute to a lower risk of disc herniation as this shape/curve decreases the forces that are directed to the Thoracic disc.

These factors collectively contribute to a lower incidence of thoracic spine disc herniation. When this type of injury does occur, it is often associated with significant trauma or specific pathological conditions.

What To Do If You Are Suffering From Thoracic Disc Herniation

While Thoracic disc herniations are less common than cervical or lumbar disc herniations, they can cause significant pain and neurological symptoms. Many people with thoracic disc herniations respond well to conservative treatments and experience significant symptom relief. Surgical interventions (which are outside our scope of care) can be considered when conservative measures fail to provide adequate relief or when neurological deficits are present. Here are some treatment strategies:

1. An individualized corrective exercise program focusing on strengthening the back muscles, the postural muscles and improving spinal mobility.
2. Lifestyle Modifications targeted at improving your posture, avoiding heavy lifting and adopting safe ergonomic practices with your daily activities and tasks.
3. Treatment of the neck and lumbar spine to improve force distribution throughout the spine and specifically to reduce stress and strain to the affected Thoracic discs.
4. Acupuncture for pain control. Acupuncture can be extremely helpful to reduce pain, decrease sensitivity of the nervous system and help muscles relax. It can also bring blood flow to the area to allow for healing.
5. Taping can be used to increase stability in the Thoracic spine, rib cage and other connected areas.
6. Posture braces can also be helpful to increase stability and provide support around the affected region. These braces are particularly helpful when long hours of sitting is causing further exacerbations and impacting healing of the tissues.
7. Pain medications, nerve blocks, and surgical treatments such as a discectomy can also be considered if conservative measures are not working great.

If you are suffering from pains in the middle of your back or have been diagnosed with a thoracic disc herniation, we’d love to help. Contact us today to see one of our experienced chiropractors and/or physiotherapists.