Different treatments for different types of pain

The causes are not always related to heart difficulties.

Learn the difference and what to do:

Discomfort in the lower neck and upper abdomen is known as thoracic pain. These ailments can be widespread in the doctor’s office, mainly because people associate it with issues that have to do with the heart. The thing with the thoracic pain is that the causes are not always related to heart difficulties. Still, this discomfort can be a warning sign of a severe pathology or only due to some muscle pain.


To discard any serious illness, people must go to the doctor to exclude the possibility of some pathology that could put the health of the individuals at risk. Therefore, when different symptoms appear, such as fever or acute chest pain, a specialist should be consulted immediately.

Causes for which thoracic pain may occur

As with all discomfort, there are many reasons why a person may experience thoracic pain, but they are usually associated with the following conditions:

Angina pectoris or myocardial infarction

This type of pain is known as the coronary type, where the person presents a sensation of oppression in the thoracic area, which can expand from the left arm, neck, and some areas of the face. Some of the symptoms that occur are sweating, nausea that can turn into vomiting, and general malaise.

Esophagitis or hiatus hernia

The discomforts presented by these two pathologies are very characteristic, since the person may present a burning sensation in the retrosternal area.

Pneumonia, tumors, or pneumothorax

It practically refers to pre-pulmonary pain, where the discomfort is focused on the area of the side of the chest, which is perceived at the moment of breathing, thus presenting, many times, a cough.

Fractures or muscular strains

This type of chest pain is perceived upon movement, and even if it is a fracture or muscle tear, it is only a matter of being at rest since the pain will progressively diminish.

How is thoracic pain diagnosed?​

Different tests must be performed, and a complete history is taken to understand the cause for the patient’s thoracic pain and thus recommend the indicated treatment.


For each of the cases, some treatments allow the pain to decrease or disappear. Still, the following procedures usually are indicated when the patient presents chronic illness or at the time of some surgery, where it will be necessary to block certain sensitive areas.

Treatments for thoracic pain​

Intercostal nerve block

This treatment is used in surgeries, but it can also be recommended for chronic pain, of course, always with the recommendation of a specialist. The procedure is based on administering medication to the upper back and chest, right between the ribs. This substance that will be implanted is intended to block or numb the nerves that send pain signals to the brain so that the patient will have no discomfort.


The procedure involves placing a small amount of local anesthetic, cortisone, dehydrated alcohol, or any other number of specialized medications in the space between the ribs – thus blocking the pain signals in the region and decreasing any local inflammation.

Paravertebral nerve blocks

Although this method is used during surgery, many specialists recommend it as a post-operative treatment in the case of thoracic surgery. Mainly because recovery from this procedure is usually quite painful, making the process difficult. To perform the nerve block, anesthesia will be used through an injection, which, sometimes, will require the use of a catheter and continuous anesthesia. This procedure has become an excellent ally for surgeons and patients since the side effects are minor.

Erector spinae plane block

It is an excellent alternative to relieve acute and chronic pain in the erector muscle. Different diseases can cause this pain, but it is mainly associated with post-herpetic neurology and diabetic neuropathy. The purpose of this procedure is to generate a blockage that is performed in the thoracic spine using anesthesia.


The solution supplied will reach the area through the openings in the fascia wall, which will be the conduits for the solution to be administered. By blocking the pain signals, the patient can be prevented from experiencing pain.


To guarantee the success of each procedure, it is essential to have the advice of an expert anesthesiologist who knows how to administer the amount and substance needed for each case.

How can we help you?

Make an appointment