Thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease that is difficult to diagnose. It is less common than lesions of the cervical and lumbosacral spine because the thoracic vertebrae are inactive. Due to the proximity of important internal organs to the spine, it is not always possible to immediately make an accurate diagnosis: depending on the symptoms, severe diseases of the heart, large vessels, the lungs are close to theOsteochondrosis - and vice versa: Osteochondrosis can manifest itself similar to pulmonary or heart symptoms.
The pain can be sheathed, radiate (give) to the shoulders, under the shoulder blades in the form of lumbago, intensify with deep breathing. Possible aching pain in the chest region, manifested by uncomfortable posture, tilting of the body. The pain in the left side of the chest looks like a heart attack, and in the right hypochondrium like cholecystitis. The paravertebral muscles are usually tense, there are frequent complaints of numbness, crawling crawls in the chest, abdomen, and arms.
The spinal canal in the thoracic region is rather narrow, therefore, even small hernias or protuberances formed in osteochondrosis can compress the spinal cord. All this disrupts the quality of life, affects performance, the emotional sphere.
Treatment for breast osteochondrosis should be prompt and competent to prevent disease progression and the development of complications. You should know that it is impossible to completely cure thoracic osteochondrosis. But it is quite possible to ensure that the disease causes a minimum of trouble for a person. It is important to change your lifestyle, to introduce new habits, achievable physical activity, to follow 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, sewing machine, people who do not recognize physical activity. The muscles that support the spine become hypotrophic and the static load on it increases.
- Overweight. The greater the weight, the greater the load on each vertebra.
- Smoking. This bad habit results in disruption of the blood supply to tissues, including vertebrates.
- Excessive and poorly dosed physical activity. This includes frequent lifting and carrying weights, jumping and running.
- Postural disorders, scoliosis. These diseases of the spine lead to degenerative changes in the discs, muscle tension.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
- Medical treatment :
- anti-inflammatory drugs - they relieve pain and swelling in 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;
- glucocorticoids - these hormonal drugs are used as paravertebral blocks when other drugs are ineffective;
- muscle relaxers - relieve painful muscle spasms;
- antidepressants - help relieve the psycho-emotional stress inherent in osteochondrosis;
- vitamins of group B - nourish nerve formations, thus fighting neurological disorders. In the treatment of osteochondrosis, preparations containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used;
- chondroprotectors - are able to somewhat suspend the process of destruction of intervertebral discs, improve bone metabolism. It is best to inject them directly into the paravertebral tissues, since oral drugs need to be drunk for a long time and in large doses.
- Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy methods act locally on the focus of the disease - relieve pain, spasms, improve blood circulation, tissue nutrition. With 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 not to start the massage from the first day and to perform it sparingly at first. It is necessary to achieve relaxation of 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 one-off effects. In cases of thoracic osteochondrosis, manual and vacuum massages, vibration massages are useful. These types can be combined or alternated.
- Physiotherapy. Performing special therapeutic exercises daily will help prevent or reduce the frequency of exacerbations of breast osteochondrosis. For example, you can do the following exercises:
- sitting on a chair, place your hands behind your head and inhale, then bring your shoulder blades together while touching the back of the chair (exhale). Repeat 10-15 times;
- get on all fours and slowly arch your back, like a cat, linger in this position for a few seconds. Then bend your back and linger in this position as well. Repeat 15 to 20 times;
- in a lying position, raise your head and arms stretched out at your sides, hold them for a few seconds, return to the starting position. Repeat 7-10 times;
- lying on your back, raise your legs straight to a height of 20-30 cm, hold for 15-20 seconds. Repeat 10 times;
- Discharge of the spine. It is carried out on a special table, roller massage bed. Underwater traction is also possible. Soft tissues are stretched, at the same time the intervertebral discs are unloaded.
- Post-isometric relaxation. It is performed by a massage therapist or a rehabilitation therapist who knows this technique. The method relaxes the spasmodic muscles of the back.
- Acupuncture. Helps relieve muscle spasms and reduce pain.
- Hirudotherapy. With the help of biologically active substances secreted by the leech, blood flow improves, the pain syndrome decreases, and soft tissue inflammation is stopped.
What you can do yourself for the prevention and treatment of chest osteochondrosis
- Try to avoid static poses. If you're sitting at a computer or working machine, take a warm-up break every hour and a half. Stretch, do breathing exercises, tilt your head forward, back, to the side, swing your arms, bend your torso. The task chair should have a comfortable back that follows the curves of the spine. You can put a special orthopedic pillow in 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 top of the table 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.
- It is not recommended to carry excessive weights, but if necessary, squat or kneel to lift the weight off the floor. Wear the garment with your back 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 helpful. Regular exercise.
The optimal course of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis should include several methods that complement each other. The treatment program is formed individually. It is important to relieve pain, improve tissue nutrition, relieve intervertebral discs, relax spasmodic muscles, and strengthen the muscle corset. For these purposes, therapy should 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 see a neurologist. Usually, examination by a neurosurgeon is additionally prescribed, if necessary - a therapist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, pulmonologist to exclude concomitant diseases. Physical methods are important in the treatment of the disease, therefore it will be useful to consult a specialist in nutrition, physiotherapy, physiotherapy and massage.