Thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease that is difficult to diagnose. It is less common than cervical and lumbosacral spine injuries because the thoracic vertebrae are inactive. Due to the proximity of important internal organs to the spine, it is not always possible to make an accurate diagnosis immediately: depending on the symptoms, severe diseases of the heart, large vessels, the lungs are close to osteochondrosis, and vice versa - the Osteochondrosis can manifest itself similar to pulmonary or cardiac symptoms.
The pain can be from the waist, radiate (give) to the shoulders, below the shoulder blades in the form of lumbago, intensify with a deep breath. Possible aching pain in the thoracic region, manifested by an uncomfortable posture, inclination of the body. Pain in the left side of the chest resembles a heart attack, and in the right hypochondrium - cholecystitis. The paravertebral muscles are usually tight, there are frequent complaints of numbness, tingling in the chest, abdomen and arms.
The spinal canal in the thoracic region is quite narrow, therefore even small hernias or protrusions formed in osteochondrosis can compress the spinal cord. All this alters the quality of life, affects performance, the emotional sphere.
Treatment of breast osteochondrosis must be timely and competent to prevent the progression of the disease and the development of complications. You should know that it is impossible to completely cure thoracic osteochondrosis. But it is quite possible to make sure that the disease gives a person a minimum of trouble. It is important to change your lifestyle, introduce new habits, perform feasible physical activity, follow the treatment recommendations. And then osteochondrosis will not make itself felt.
Risk factors for developing breast osteochondrosis
- Sedentary lifestyle. Osteochondrosis affects people with sedentary work, forced body posture in the workplace, for example, at a computer table, a sewing machine, people who do not recognize physical activity. The muscles that support the spine are hypotrophied and the static load increases.
- Over weight. The greater the weight, the greater the load on each vertebra.
- Of smoking. This bad habit leads to disruption of the blood supply to tissues, including vertebrates.
- Excessive physical activity, incorrectly dosed. This includes lifting and lifting weights frequently, jumping, and running.
- Posture disorders, scoliosis. These diseases of the spine lead to degenerative changes in the discs, muscle tension.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.
- Drug therapy:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs: relieve pain and swelling of soft tissues. Local forms in the form of gels, ointments, creams can be useful for intercostal neuralgia;
- anesthetics - injected paravertebrally 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 relaxants - relieve painful muscle spasms;
- antidepressants - help relieve psycho-emotional stress inherent in osteochondrosis;
- Vitamins of group B: they nourish the nervous formations, thus fighting neurological disorders. In the treatment of osteochondrosis, preparations containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used;
- chondroprotectors: they can suspend a little the process of destruction of the intervertebral discs and improve bone metabolism. It is better to inject them directly into the paravertebral tissues, because oral medications have to be drunk for a long time and in high doses.
- Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy methods act locally on the focus of the disease: relieve pain, spasms, improve blood circulation and nutrition of tissues. In case of thoracic osteochondrosis, the doctor may prescribe magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, UHF, laser therapy.
- Massage. Massage of the neck area, thoracic region, hands is performed. In case of exacerbation, it is recommended to start the massage not from the first day and to carry it out in moderation at the beginning. It is necessary to achieve relaxation of the spasmodic muscles. During the period when there is no pain, the massage technique becomes different, the techniques are more intense. In addition to the usual, you can perform specific effects. In the case of chest osteochondrosis, manual and vacuum massage, vibration massage are helpful. These types can be combined or alternated.
- Physiotherapy. Daily performance of special therapeutic exercises will help prevent or reduce the frequency of exacerbations of breast osteochondrosis. For example, you can do the following exercises:
- While sitting in a chair, place your hands behind your head and inhale, then bring your shoulder blades together, touching the back of the chair (exhale). Repeat 10 to 15 times;
- Get on all fours and slowly arch your back, like a cat, stay in this position for a few seconds. Then bend your back and stay in this position. Repeat 15 to 20 times;
- in a supine position, raise your head and arms stretched out lying along the body upwards, hold for a few seconds, return to the starting position. Repeat 7 to 10 times;
- lying on your back, raise your legs straight to a height of 20-30 cm, hold for 15-20 seconds. Repeat 10 times;
- Unloading the spine. It is done on a special table, massage table with rollers. Underwater traction is also possible. The soft tissues are stretched at the same time as the intervertebral discs are discharged.
- Post-isometric relaxation. It is done by a massage therapist or rehabilitation therapist who knows this technique. The method allows you to relax the spasmodic muscles in your back.
- Acupuncture. It allows you to relieve muscle spasms and reduce pain.
- Hirudotherapy. With the help of biologically active substances secreted by the leech, blood flow improves, pain syndrome decreases and soft tissue inflammation stops.
What you can do yourself for the prevention and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
- Try to avoid static poses. If you are sitting in front of a computer or work machine, take a break with a warm-up every hour and a half. Stretch, do breathing exercises, tilt your head forward, backward, sideways, swing your arms, bend your torso. The work chair should have a comfortable backrest that follows the curves of the spine. You can put a special orthopedic pillow on it. The seat must be firm and the height of the chair must be equal to the length of the lower leg. There are requirements for the table: the table surface is normally at the elbow of the bent arm.
- It is advisable to sleep on an orthopedic mattress so that the natural curves of the spine are respected.
- Carrying excessive weights is not recommended, but if the need arises, squat or kneel to lift the weight off the floor. Wear the garment up straight, spreading it evenly over both hands.
- With osteochondrosis, it is necessary to maintain body weight, eat less fried and fatty foods, exclude carbonated drinks and alcohol.
- Sports like swimming and skiing are very useful. Get regular exercise.
The optimal course of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis should include several methods that complement each other. The treatment program is individually shaped. It is important to relieve pain, improve tissue nutrition, relieve intervertebral discs, relax spasmodic muscles, and strengthen the muscular corset. For these purposes, therapy must be carried out repeatedly, and at least twice a year, supplemented with daily therapeutic exercises, systematic swimming and spa treatment.
Which doctor to contact
If symptoms of breast osteochondrosis appear, you should consult a neurologist. Usually, an examination by a neurosurgeon is also prescribed, if necessary - a therapist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, pulmonologist to exclude concomitant diseases. Physical methods are important in treating the disease, so it will be helpful to consult a nutritionist, physical therapist, physical therapist, and massage specialist.