Thoracic osteochondrosis is a difficult disease to diagnose. It is less common than cervical spine and lumbosacral 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: depending on the symptoms, severe heart disease, large vessels, lungs are close to osteochondrosis - and vice versa: osteochondrosis can occur manifests similar to pulmonary or cardiac symptoms.
The pain may be in the waist, radiate (give) to the shoulders, under the shoulder blades in the shape of a lumbago, intensify with a deep breath. Possibly excruciating pain in the thoracic region, which manifests itself in an uncomfortable posture, with a bending 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 tense, with frequent complaints of numbness, goose bumps in the chest, abdomen and arms.
The spinal canal in the thoracic region is quite narrow, so even small hernias or protrusions formed in osteochondrosis can compress the spinal cord. All of this interferes with the quality of life, affects performance, the emotional sphere.
The treatment of breast osteochondrosis must be timely 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 perfectly possible to be sure that the disease causes the least amount of trouble for the person. It is important to change your lifestyle, introduce new habits, practice viable physical activity, follow treatment recommendations. And then osteochondrosis won't make itself felt.
Risk factors for the development of breast osteochondrosis
- Sedentary lifestyle. Osteochondrosis affects people with sedentary work, forced body posture in the workplace, for example, at the computer table, sewing machine, people who do not recognize physical activity. The muscles that support the spine are weakened and the static load increases.
- Overweight. The greater the weight, the greater the load on each vertebra.
- Smoking. This bad habit leads to the interruption of blood supply to tissues, including vertebrates.
- Excessive and poorly managed physical activity. This includes frequently lifting and carrying weights, jumping and running.
- Postural disorders, scoliosis. These spinal diseases lead to degenerative changes in the discs, muscle tension.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
- Drug therapy:
- anti-inflammatory drugs - they alleviate pain and swelling of the soft tissue. Local forms in the form of gels, ointments, creams can be helpful for intercostal neuralgia;
- anesthetics - injected paravertebrally to block pain and relieve muscle spasm;
- glucocorticosteroids - these hormonal medications are used in the form of paravertebral blocks when other medications are ineffective;
- muscle relaxants - relieve painful muscle spasms;
- antidepressants - help relieve the psycho-emotional stress inherent in osteochondrosis;
- group B vitamins - nourish nerve formations, thus fighting neurological disorders. In the treatment of osteochondrosis, preparations containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used;
- chondroprotectors - are capable of suspending the process of destruction of the intervertebral discs a little, improving bone metabolism. It is best to inject them directly into the paravertebral tissues as oral medications need to be taken for a long time and in high dosages.
- Physiotherapy. Physiotherapeutic methods act locally in the focus of the disease - relieve pain, spasms, improve blood circulation, tissue nutrition. In case of thoracic osteochondrosis, the doctor may prescribe magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, UHF, laser therapy.
- Massage. Massage is performed in the collar area, thoracic region, hands. In case of exacerbation, it is recommended to start the massage not from the first day and to do it in moderation at first. 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 normal, you can perform point effects. In the case of thoracic osteochondrosis, manual massage and vacuum, vibrating massage are helpful. These types can be mixed 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 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 10-15 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 15-20 times;
- in the supine position, lift your head and your arms stretched out along your body, hold them like this for a few seconds, then 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 carried out on a special table, a massage bed with castors. Underwater traction is also possible. The soft tissues are stretched while the intervertebral discs are unloaded.
- Post-isometric relaxation. It is performed by a massage therapist or rehabilitation therapist who is familiar with this technique. The method allows you to relax the jerky muscles in your back.
- Acupuncture. Allows to relieve muscle spasm 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 to Prevent and Treat Thoracic Osteochondrosis
- Try to avoid static poses. If you're sitting at a computer or working machine, take a break with a warm-up every hour and a half. Stretch, do breathing exercises, tilt your head forward, backward, sideways, arm swings, torso push-ups. The work chair should have a comfortable backrest that follows the curves of the spine. You can put a special orthopedic pillow over it. The seat must be firm and the chair height equal to the leg length. There are requirements for the table - the table top is normally at the height of 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 necessary, squat or kneel to lift the weight off the floor. Carry the garment with a straight back, spreading it evenly over both hands.
- In osteochondrosis, it is necessary to maintain body weight, eat less fried foods and fatty foods, and exclude soft drinks and alcohol.
- Sports like swimming and skiing are very useful. Exercise regularly.
The ideal 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 muscular corset. For this, therapy must be performed repeatedly, at least twice a year, complemented by daily therapeutic exercises, systematic swimming and spa treatment.
which doctor to contact
If symptoms of breast osteochondrosis appear, you should consult a neurologist. Typically, an examination by a neurosurgeon is additionally prescribed if necessary - a therapist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, pulmonologist to exclude concurrent illnesses. Physical methods are important in treating the disease, so it will be helpful to consult a nutritionist, physiotherapist, physiotherapist and massage therapist.