Thoracic radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the mid-back (thoracic spine) becomes irritated, compressed, or inflamed. These nerves travel from the spinal cord around the chest and abdomen, so irritation can cause pain that wraps around the chest wall or upper abdomen — often mistaken for heart, lung, or abdominal problems.
Typical symptoms include:
Common causes include thoracic disc herniation, spinal arthritis (spondylosis), facet joint changes, or occasionally shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia). Because symptoms can mimic heart or abdominal conditions, thorough specialist evaluation is essential to confirm the spinal origin of pain.
Thoracic spine pain often improves with attention to posture, core strength, and movement patterns. Our physiotherapy and rehabilitation specialists focus on restoring balanced movement, improving spinal flexibility, and reducing strain on the mid-back. Hydrotherapy can be particularly helpful for gentle, supported movement.
Our pain psychology partners offer strategies for managing chronic nerve pain, stress, and sleep disturbance. When appropriate, we coordinate with neurology or surgical colleagues for integrated care.
At Wessex Pain Clinic, we work as a team and meet regularly to discuss complex, treatment resistant or unusual cases. As such you will often receive the expertise of several pain consultants. We believe that we are one of very few pain clinics to offer this.
We may prescribe:
Medication is carefully tailored and reviewed to ensure optimal relief with minimal side effects.
Our friendly team is on hand to support you every step of the way. Please get in touch at any time.
