Torso

At The Atlas Institute Peripheral Nerve Care, our providers deliver advanced treatments for peripheral nerve conditions affecting the torso. Patients who have Type 2 diabetes may experience a specific type of nerve pain affecting the chest or abdominal wall.

Woman standing while another person has their hand on her stomach

Nerve Dysfunction and Pain in the Chest, Abdomen, and Groin

Other patients experience this condition when the nerve signals are affected, leading to severe pain and discomfort, and could impact function in other body systems. The first step in treating neuropathy affecting the torso is to accurately diagnose the condition. Not all medical providers are equipped with the advanced diagnostic tools found at The Atlas Institute, and may we understand that the true significance of the pain or dysfunction might not be recognized or believed. With an accurate diagnosis and directed treatment plan, nerve pain or dysfunction affecting the torse can be treated and resolved.

Woman stretching with her arms above her head

Symptoms of Torso Nerve Conditions

Sharp, stabbing pains
Burning or aching sensations in the ribs, chest, or abdomen
Tingling
Numbness
Tightness
Radiating pain
Changes in motor function
Dull, aching pain in the abdomen, radiating when twisting the body
Tender skin
Tender areas of the torso, unrelated to gastrointestinal conditions

What are the Types of Nerve Injuries and Dysfunction in the Torso?

The body has 12 pairs of thoracic nerves (related to the chest). The nerves in the human torso include the abdominal wall nerves, which provide sensation to the skin and groin areas. The nerve system in the chest can be affected by trauma, shingles, pulled muscles, strained muscles, and other conditions. The types of nerve injuries and dysfunction in the torso include:

Brachial neuritis: The brachial plexus is a nerve network in the shoulder that sends sensory signals to arms and hands. Brachial neuritis can involve radiating pain that travels to the chest area. It often affects just one side of the body.
Compression mononeuropathy: This condition is also termed “nerve compression” or “nerve entrapment.” When nerves serving the torso are constricted, it can lead to ongoing pain and other symptoms.
Thoracic (lumbar) nerve compression: When this nerve-specific condition occurs when a nerve in the thoracic region of the spine (upper back) is compressed. Often called a “pinched nerve,” this condition can lead to pain, weakness, numbness, and other symptoms.
Nerve degeneration: The high blood sugar associated with Type 2 diabetes can lead to nerve degeneration. The location of the nerve degeneration can cause pain, bowel or bladder issues, or sexual dysfunction.
Vascular-related nerve damage: Various conditions can lead to nerve damage in the torso, including diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, inflammation, and thickening of blood vessel walls, which can lead to nerve damage in several areas of the torso, from chest to abdomen and groin.
Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome: This is among the most common causes of abdominal pain, affecting both children and adults. It occurs when the nerves are pinched or trapped within the abdominal wall muscle.
Cyclist’s syndrome: This condition affects the nerves in the groin and is officially termed “pudendal neuralgia.” It is triggered in many cases by prolonged sitting, causing pressure on the nerves in the area.

Why Choose The Atlas Institute?

The Atlas Institute in Denver is a state-of-the-art nerve center with the latest diagnostic and therapeutic technology and nonoperative and operative treatment methods. For treatment from providers who are at the leading edge in the diagnosis and treatment of nerve-specific pain or dysfunction, patients can expect world-class care from a top medical professional.

Treatments for Torso Nerve Pain or Dysfunction

To successfully treat nerve pain or dysfunction in the chest, abdomen, or groin, it is imperative that the condition is evaluated with advanced nerve tests. These may include EMG (electromyography or nerve function testing), nerve conduction studies, MRI, CT scans, blood tests, and others. These advanced tests are all available at our nerve treatment center in Denver.

The true impact on quality of life due to nerve-related torso pain may not be recognized or believed by other providers, who may not be trained on the testing procedures to pinpoint the actual source of pain. With an accurate diagnosis, a custom treatment plan can be established to bring relief from pain and dysfunction. The types of treatments offered at The Atlas Institute include:

Joint denervation: This procedure involves incisions placed on various nerves sending pain signals to the chest, abdomen, or groin
Neurolysis: The release of trapped or compressed nerves
Neuroma excision: The surgical removal of nerve tissue that has developed after an injury.
Nerve grafts: Nerve grafts to create a path for nerve regeneration
Nerve repair: The surgical repair of a nerve in the torso which has been damaged by an injury or impact
Nerve transfers: A donor nerve is harvested and transferred to a damaged nerve
Trigger point injections: Injections performed at the pain source in the chest, abdomen, or groin.
Medications: Muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, pain medications, topical treatments, anti-inflammatories, steroids
TMR: Targeted muscle reinnervation can be performed when nerves in the torso have been damaged in an impact