Skip to Main Content
Make an Appointment

The Centeno-Schultz Blog

Diagram illustrating compression, tension, and shear forces on an object.

Where Is The Thoracic Spine?

The thoracic spine is a region of the spine that is located in the middle back.  It is located below the cervical spine and above the lumbar spine.  It is composed of 12 vertebrae that are numbered T1-12. The T denotes the thoracic spine. It has many important functions which are discussed below. Location Of The … Continued
Thoracic herniated Disc

Symptoms of Thoracic Herniated Disc

Your mid back pain has been unrelenting since the accident.  Rest, medications, and physical therapy have failed to provide significant or sustained benefits.  Your doctor thinks you have a thoracic disc herniation and thinks you have a thoracic herniated disc. What are the symptoms? And what can you do? Let’s dig in. What Is A … Continued
thoracic spine anatomy

Thoracic Spine Anatomy: What You Need To Know

What Is The Thoracic Spine? The thoracic spine refers to the section of the spinal column corresponding to the mid-back.  It is between the cervical spine (neck) and the lumbar spine (low back).  It consists of 12 boney building blocks called vertebral bodies that are labeled T1-T12.  The T refers to the thoracic spine. The … Continued
ACDF procedure

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Complications

ACDF stands for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. It is a surgical procedure to treat cervical spine (neck) problems such as herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis. In this article, we will review what this surgery is and discuss anterior cervical discectomy and fusion complications. A brief overview of what the surgery entails: … Continued
What is a cervical disc?

What is a Cervical Disc?

There are 23 discs in the spine: 6 in the cervical region (neck), 12 in the thoracic region (middle back), and 5 in the lumbar region (lower back). The disc’s function is to provide flexibility and stability to the spine. The disc absorbs approximately 70% of the forces placed on the spine in multiple movements … Continued

Getting A Second Opinion After Surgery: Why Do You Need It?

Seeking a second opinion from another health provider isn’t that uncommon if surgery is recommended as a treatment option. After all, surgery is invasive, expensive and recovery can be many months in duration. As such, you’ll want to ensure the surgery is the right choice and necessary before proceeding. However, undergoing surgery isn’t the end … Continued

Thoracic Spine MRI: What is It?

 Are you getting an MRI of your thoracic spine?  Get the help you need with the Centeno-Schultz Clinic.  Learn what you need to know about this exam. What to expect on your thoracic spine MRI scan? What exactly is an MRI of the thoracic spine?  How does an MRI work? What are the risks and … Continued

Thoracic Spine X-Ray: Diagnosing Spinal Conditions

Thoracic pain can be debilitating.  There are many causes of thoracic pain which include disc,  facet, costovertebral joint, ligament, and tendon injuries. An accurate diagnosis is paramount.  X-rays are an important tool that is used to accurately diagnose many thoracic spine conditions. Benefits Of X-Rays For The Thoracic Spine Thoracic spine x-rays provide a picture … Continued

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament Injury Explained

Is chronic neck pain preventing you from enjoying your daily life? Does your neck feel stiff and painful while working at a computer, driving, or playing with your children? Have you been told that your imaging is fine, that you just have a whiplash injury, but you know something still isn’t right? Frustrated from seeing … Continued

How To Release A Pinched Nerve In The Shoulder

A pinched nerve in the shoulder occurs when a nerve is compressed or irritated anywhere along its path, from the nerve root where it emerges from the cervical spine to the area in the shoulder it supplies. This can lead to shoulder pain, numbness, and pins and needles, and can even affect the movement of … Continued