Not Feeling Well? Call the NURSE NOW helpline. (888) 4STE-NOW (478-3669)
  • MYCHART LOGIN PAY MY BILL FIND A DOCTOR FIND A LOCATION COVID-19 RESOURCES PATIENTS & VISITORS MEDICAL SERVICES COMMUNITY OUTREACH RESOURCES CAREERS CONTACT US
  • Patients & Visitors
  • Medical Services
  • Community Outreach
  • Resources
  • Careers
MYCHART LOGIN PAY MY BILL FIND A DOCTOR FIND A LOCATION PATIENTS & VISITORS MEDICAL SERVICES COMMUNITY OUTREACH RESOURCES CAREERS CONTACT US
  • Homepage
  • Medical Services
  • Spine Care
  • Your Middle Back
  • Understanding Your Thoracic Spine
Menu
  • Spine Care
  • Middle Back
  • Herniated Disc
  • Middle Back Pain and Balance
  • Middle Back Pain and Sudden Weakness
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Spondylosis
  • Thoracic Spine Compression Fracture
  • Thoracic Spine Surgery Recovery
  • Your Thoracic Spine

Understanding Your Thoracic Spine

Your spine is divided into three sections: The cervical spine (neck), the lumbar spine (lower back) and the thoracic spine (middle back). The thoracic spine is the longest part of the spine, running from the base of the neck to the abdomen. It connects the cervical and lumbar spine and is the only portion of the spine attached to the rib cage.

The thoracic spine is made up of 12 vertebrae, which provide stability to support the neck, rib cage and lower back. The thoracic spine also protects the blood vessels and nerves that run along the spinal cord. The middle back also helps anchor the rib cage, which protects the heart, lungs and other internal organs.

Middle Back Pain

Back pain can strike any part of your spine. Pain that is felt along the thoracic spine, between the base of your neck and back of the abdomen, is likely caused by an injury, condition or disease affecting the 12 vertebrae of the middle back.

Common thoracic spine injuries include:

  • Spinal stenosis
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Herniated disc
  • Spondylosis
  • Compression fractures
  • Sciatica 

Diagnosing Thoracic Spine Pain

Middle back pain, injuries and conditions can range from mild discomfort to serious medical emergencies that require immediate attention. If you have back pain in the middle of your back that doesn’t improve in a few weeks after self-care at home or you are experiencing serious pain that interferes with daily activities, contact the Spine Center at St. Elizabeth. 

Our experienced providers will work closely with you to identify what’s causing your pain and create a plan that helps you feel like yourself again. 

Contact Us

The team at St. Elizabeth includes surgeons and specialists with unmatched experience in diagnosing and treating injuries, conditions and diseases that cause lumbar and sacral spine pain. Physicians and accredited providers offer their insight on how to best treat your back pain. Meet our non-surgical spine doctors. 

If you need surgery, our experienced affiliated surgeons will map out a plan that’s tailored to your health history, condition and symptoms. Meet our surgeons. 

About St. Elizabeth
  • About Us
  • Associate Log In
  • Associate Intranet
  • Careers
  • For Health Professionals
  • Foundation
  • St. Elizabeth Physicians
  • Learn More
How Can We Help?
  • Find a Location
  • Find a Provider
  • Frequently Called Numbers
  • Health Library
  • Pay My Bill
  • Pagar Su Factura
  • Site Map
Legal
  • Disclaimer/HIPAA
  • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
  • © 2019 St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
  • All rights reserved. St. Elizabeth Healthcare is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation serving the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region. Tax identification #610445850
Help Us Continue To Provide Quality Care
  • Donate
  • Human Resources
  • Physician Opportunities
  • Volunteer
Visit St. Elizabeth Physicians
Healthy
Headlines
  • Helping you live a better life.
  • View Health Tips
Social
About St. Elizabeth
About Us
Associate Log In
Associate Intranet
Careers
For Health Professionals
Foundation & Donations
Volunteers
Resources
CareGram
Find a Location
Find a Provider
Frequently Called Numbers
MyChart Login
Pay My Bill
Legal
Disclaimer/HIPAA
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Human Resources
© 2022 St. Elizabeth Healthcare. All rights reserved. St. Elizabeth Healthcare is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation serving the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region. Tax identification #610445850