<s>[INST] I am in constant pain around my rib cage on the left side. It all started with herniated disks in my neck, for which I had a cervical diskectomy in 2000 and now a chiropractor has told me that I have a bulging thoracic disk. Do you think my rib cage pain is from my thoracic spine? Is surgery done for bulging and not herniated disks (if theres a difference)? I also have a constantly cramped muscle in my left shoulder, no matter what I do. Could that be contributing to the pain? I take neurontin and baclofen. I used to also take oxycodone and morphine but they made me so sleepy and out of it that I stopped. [/INST] Hi, Thank you for posting your query. Disc herniation is uncommon in thoracic regions, however, it can occur, and your symptoms could well be related to that. Surgery is often reserved for severe disc herniation and is not done for disc bulges. As of now, you can continue the same medications, and physiotherapy. If symptoms persist, then, you can get the MRI of thoracic spine done. Based on that, a definitive plan of treatment can be made. I hope it helps, Please get back if you require any additional information. Best wishes, Chat Doctor. Ly/ </s>