Spine Pain by Location

Spine pain rarely feels the same from one person to the next. The location of your symptoms, how symptoms radiate, and what makes them better or worse are all pieces of information that point toward a specific cause. Before a diagnosis is made and before a treatment plan is built, the first question is always a simple one: where does it hurt?

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At The Spine Center, we have organized our patient resources around that question. Whether your pain is in your neck, your mid-back, your lower back, or running down your leg, each section below is designed to help you better understand what may be behind your symptoms and what treatment options are available.

Our orthopedic spine specialists serve patients throughout Texas and Florida. We take a conservative-first approach to every evaluation, meaning we look for the least invasive path to relief before considering more invasive treatment. Most spine conditions, even significant ones, can be effectively managed without surgery. The goal is always to find the right answer for your specific situation.

It is also worth knowing that spine pain does not always present with obvious symptoms. Some patients come to us after years of managing what they assumed was just “normal aging” or muscle fatigue, only to find a treatable structural cause behind their symptoms. Others arrive shortly after a sudden injury, unsure whether what they are feeling warrants a specialist visit. If symptoms are persistent or concerning, evaluation is often worthwhile. Earlier evaluation typically means more options, faster recovery, and a better understanding of what your spine actually needs.

Find Your Pain Location

Select the area that best describes where your symptoms are located. Each page covers common conditions, symptoms, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options specific to that region of the spine.

Neck Pain (Cervical Spine)

Pain, stiffness, or nerve symptoms originating from the neck region. The cervical spine is a common source of headaches, arm numbness, and radiating pain into the shoulders or fingers.

Common conditions covered:

Cervical herniated disc
Cervical radiculopathy
Cervical stenosis and myelopathy
Degenerative disc disease
Whiplash and soft tissue injury

Learn more: Neck Pain (Cervical)

Mid-Back Pain (Thoracic Spine)

Pain between the shoulder blades, rib-related discomfort, or stiffness in the upper and mid-back. Thoracic spine conditions are less common than cervical or lumbar problems but are often underdiagnosed.

Common conditions covered:

Thoracic disc disease
Postural strain and muscle overuse
Scoliosis
Compression fractures
Thoracic arthritis and
Scheuermann’s disease

Learn more: Mid-Back Pain (Thoracic)

Low Back Pain (Lumbar Spine)

Lower back pain is one of the most common medical complaints in the country. The lumbar spine bears the most mechanical load of any spinal region and is the most frequent site for disc problems, nerve compression, and structural instability.

Common conditions covered:

Lumbar disc herniation
Degenerative disc disease
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Facet arthritis and compression fractures

Learn more: Low Back Pain
(Lumbar)

Leg & Nerve Pain (Sciatica)

Burning, shooting, or electric pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg is often a sign of nerve involvement. Sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy are among the most recognizable spine-related symptom patterns.

Common conditions covered:

Lumbar disc herniation causing nerve root compression
Lumbar spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication
Piriformis syndrome
Foraminal stenosis
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

Learn more: Leg & Nerve Pain (Sciatica)

Failed Back Surgery (Post-Surgical Pain)

Thoracic disc disease
Postural strain and muscle overuse
Scoliosis
Compression fractures
Thoracic arthritis and
Scheuermann’s disease

Learn more: Failed Back Surgery (Post-Surgical Pain)

Not Sure Where Your Pain Is Coming From?

Spine pain is not always straightforward. Symptoms do not always occur where the underlying problem originates. A pinched nerve in the lower back can cause foot numbness. Cervical disc disease can produce headaches. Thoracic conditions can mimic chest or rib discomfort. If you are unsure which section applies to you, that is a good reason to schedule an evaluation.

Our team will take a full clinical history, perform a thorough examination, and use imaging when needed to identify the source of your symptoms. The right diagnosis is the foundation of the right treatment.

Why Choose The Spine Center?

The Spine Center is an orthopedic spine specialty practice with locations throughout Texas and Florida. Every condition on this site is treated by surgeons whose focus is the spine. That specialization matters when you are trying to understand symptoms that have not responded to prior treatment or that have been difficult to explain.

A few things that define how we work:

Conservative-first philosophy: we pursue the least invasive path to relief that the clinical evidence supports
Comprehensive diagnostics: we take the time to understand what is actually driving your symptoms before recommending treatment
Surgical expertise when it matters: when surgery is the right answer, our team has the experience to perform it well
Patient-centered communication: we explain findings clearly and make sure you understand your options before any decision is made

Patients come to us from across Texas and Florida, often after months or years of trying other approaches without a clear diagnosis. If that describes your situation, we are ready to take a fresh look.

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