Chest osteochondrosis is a difficult disease to diagnose. Injuries to the cervical and lumbosacral spine are less common because the thoracic vertebrae are immobile. Due to the proximity of important internal organs to the spine, it is not always possible to make an accurate diagnosis immediately: according to the symptoms, serious diseases of the heart, large vessels, lungs are close to osteochondrosis - and vice versa: osteochondrosis can manifest itself. itself resembles lung or heart symptoms.
The pain may be girdle, radiation to the shoulders (give), under the shoulder blades in the form of lumbago, intensified by deep breathing. Possible aching pain in the thoracic region, an uncomfortable posture, manifests itself with bending of the body. Pain in the left side of the chest resembles a heart attack, and in the right hypochondrium - cholecystitis. Paravertebral muscles are usually tense, often with numbness, crawling complaints in the chest, abdomen and arms.
The spinal canal in the thoracic region is quite narrow, so small hernias or protrusions in osteochondrosis can also compress the spinal cord. All this impairs the quality of life, affects the performance, the emotional sphere.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis should be timely and competent to prevent the development of the disease and the development of complications. You should know that it is impossible to completely cure thoracic osteochondrosis. However, it is quite possible to be sure that the disease gives a person minimal problems. It is important to change your lifestyle, introduce new habits, engage in possible physical activity, and follow treatment recommendations. And then osteochondrosis will not feel.
Risk factors for the development of thoracic osteochondrosis
- Sedentary lifestyle. Osteochondrosis affects sedentary work, forced posture in the workplace, for example, a computer desk, a sewing machine, people who do not recognize physical activity. The muscles that support the spine become malnourished and the static load on them increases.
- Overweight. The higher the weight, the higher the load on each vertebra.
- To smoke. This bad habit disrupts the blood supply to tissues, including vertebrates.
- Excessive, incorrect doses of physical activity. This often includes lifting and carrying weights, jumping and running.
- Posture disorders, scoliosis. These diseases of the spine cause degenerative changes in the discs, muscle tension.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
- Drug therapy:
- anti-inflammatory drugs - they relieve pain and swelling of soft tissues. Local forms in the form of gels, ointments, creams may be useful for intercostal neuralgia;
- anesthetics - are injected paravertebral to block pain and relieve muscle spasms;
- glucocorticosteroids - these hormonal drugs are used in the form of paravertebral blocks when other drugs are ineffective;
- muscle relaxant - relieves painful muscle spasms;
- antidepressants - help relieve the psycho-emotional stress inherent in osteochondrosis;
- group B vitamins - nourishes nerve formations, thus combating neurological disorders. Preparations containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis;
- Chondroprotectors - are able to stop the process of destruction of intervertebral discs and improve bone metabolism. It is better to inject them directly into the paravertebral tissues, because oral medications need to be taken for a long time and in high doses.
- Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy methods act locally at the center of the disease - relieve pain, spasms, improve blood circulation, tissue nutrition. During thoracic osteochondrosis, the doctor may prescribe magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, UHF, laser therapy.
- Massage. Massage of the neck area, thoracic region, hands. In case of exacerbation, it is recommended to perform the massage little by little at first, not from the first day. It is necessary to achieve relaxation of spasmodic muscles. When there is no pain, massage techniques are different - the techniques become more intense. In addition to the usual, you can also do point effects. Hand and vacuum massage, vibration massage are useful in thoracic osteochondrosis. These types can be combined or alternatively.
- Physiotherapy. Carrying out special therapeutic exercises on a daily basis will help to prevent or reduce the incidence of thoracic osteochondrosis. For example, you can do the following exercises:
- While sitting in a chair, put your hands behind your head and inhale, then bring your shoulder blades together (breathe) by touching the back of your back. Repeat 10-15 times;
- stand on all fours and slowly bend your back, like a cat, in this position for a few seconds. Then bend your back and lie down in this position. Repeat 15-20 times;
- in a supine position, raise your head and straight arms stretching across the body, hold them in this position for a few seconds, return to the starting position. Repeat 7-10 times;
- Lying on your back, lift your straight legs to a height of 20-30 cm, hold for 15-20 seconds. Repeat 10 times;
- Loosening of the spine. It is carried out on a special table, on a massage bed with rolls. Underwater shooting is also possible. The soft tissues stretch, while the intervertebral discs loosen.
- Post-isometric relaxation. This is done by a masseur or rehabilitation therapist who knows the technique. The method allows you to relax the spasmodic muscles of the back.
- Acupuncture. Helps relieve muscle spasms & reduce pain
- Hirudotherapy. With the help of biologically active substances secreted by leeks, blood flow improves, pain syndrome is reduced, inflammation of soft tissues is stopped.
What can you do for yourself to prevent and treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
- Try to avoid static poses. If you are sitting at a computer or work machine, take a warm-up break every hour and a half. Do stretching, breathing exercises, head forward, backward, sideways bending, arm swings, torso bending. The work chair should have a comfortable back that follows the curves of the spine. You can put a special orthopedic pillow on it. The seat should be firm and the height of the chair should be equal to the length of the lower leg. There are requirements for the table - the table is normally at the level of the elbow of the bent arm.
- It is recommended to sleep on an orthopedic mattress to respect the natural curves of the spine.
- It is not recommended to be overweight, but if necessary, you should squat or kneel to lift the weight off the ground. Carry the dress with a straight back, spread it evenly on both hands.
- With osteochondrosis, it is necessary to maintain body weight, eat less fried, fatty foods, exclude carbonated beverages and alcohol.
- Sports such as swimming and skiing are very useful. Exercise regularly.
The optimal course of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis should consist of several complementary methods. The treatment program is formed individually. It is important to relieve pain, improve tissue nutrition, relax intervertebral discs, relax spasmodic muscles, and strengthen the muscle corset. For this purpose, therapy should be repeated several times and supplemented with daily therapeutic exercises, systematic swimming and spa treatments at least twice a year.
Which doctor to consult
If you have symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, you should consult a neurologist. Usually, an examination is prescribed by a neurosurgeon to rule out additional diseases, if necessary - a therapist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, pulmonologist. Physical methods are important in the treatment of the disease, so it will be useful to consult a specialist in nutrition, physiotherapy, physiotherapy and massage.