Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the musculoskeletal system that occurs in patients of different ages.
Modern medicine identifies several locations of the disease, in connection with which a concept such as osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has emerged.
What is thoracic osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a regenerative (destructive) process, the localization of which ranges from 8 to 19, forming the human thoracic spine.
Unlike other types of the disease, the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis can occur in both young and old people.
One feature of the disease is the complexity of early diagnosis, which is associated with low mobility of the spine and difficulty in identifying the main symptoms. Therefore, when detecting the first signs of thoracic osteochondrosis, it is important to consult a specialist in a timely manner to prevent irreversible processes.
Reasons
The main causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are complications of dystrophic processes (disruption of cell metabolism), tissue changes and metabolic processes resulting from an poorly balanced diet and improper loading on the intervertebral discs.
In addition, the list of factors that increase the risk of developing osteochondrosis of the breast includes:
- presence of intervertebral hernias;
- disruption of blood supply to the spinal cord;
- disturbance of mineral balance in the body;
- regularly increasing stress on the spine;
- mostly sedentary lifestyle;
- consequences of trauma;
- to engage in active sports.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Chest pain with osteochondrosis is the main symptom of the clinical picture. However, given the general symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, the following can be distinguished:
- shortness of breath, chest tightness;
- difficulty in fulfilling tendencies;
- periodic occurrence of a feeling of freezing of the extremities due to circulatory failure;
- brittle nails and hair;
- nausea, digestive disorders;
- pain that can be easily confused with pain accompanied by cardiovascular disease;
- pain in the mammary glands in women;
- anxiety and difficulty swallowing, cough.
The manifestation of several symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine requires immediate consultation with a specialist and a thorough examination to form an accurate diagnosis and determine a treatment plan for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Stages of disease development
Experts distinguish three main stages in the development of thoracic osteochondrosis:
Stage 1 - the beginning of the development of the disease. It is characterized by the absence of clinical manifestations.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in the first stage:
- hardly felt, slightly painful lumbago, accompanied by pulling pain in the chest. Unpleasant feelings intensify after strenuous work or lifting weights;
- muscle spasms, constant tone of the muscle frame for no apparent reason;
- discomfort in the heart area.
Seeing a doctor in the early stages of the disease guarantees complete recovery.
Stage 2 - the progression of the disease leads to the formation of micro-cracks in the intervertebral discs, which leads to limited mobility and the appearance of severe pain.
Clinical manifestations include:
- visually noticeable deformation of the spine;
- reduce pressure;
- accompanying an attempt to put his hand behind his head with pain felt in the sternum;
- feeling of chronic fatigue;
- discomfort in the heart region and spinal column of the thoracic region.
If a disease is detected at this stage, the recovery process can take a long time.
Stage 3 - a running process that adversely affects the whole body.
There are such dangerous manifestations:
- restriction of spinal mobility;
- acute pain sensations;
- appearance of intervertebral hernias;
- constriction of blood vessels and nerve roots;
- diseases of the biliary tract.
Refusal to treat thoracic osteochondrosis at this stage can lead to disability.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
It is important to see a specialist before deciding how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. The diagnosis of the disease should be made only by a specialist. Treatment of thoracic lumbar osteochondrosis is determined by a neurologist after a high-quality examination.
The main way to start treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis is to get rid of the pain. Today, there are several optimal treatment options. Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is very often used in medical practice both during the exacerbation stage and afterwards to achieve long-term remission of the disease.
Physiotherapy methods are used with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, for example:
- drug electrophoresis - direct current and the combined effect of drugs;
- UHF therapy - exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic fields;
- magnetotherapy is an alternative medicine that involves the use of a permanent or alternating magnetic field;
- drug phonophoresis - application of drugs under the influence of ultrasound;
- detensor therapy - relaxation of the muscular frame of the spine using a special mattress / mattress.
It should be noted that the stage of its development is taken into account when prescribing physiotherapeutic methods for the treatment of degenerative disease. Inadequate use of physiotherapy can aggravate the condition and exclude the possibility of long-term remission.
Massage for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Massage is one of the most effective methods of drug-free treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Ensuring the effect of reflex massage has a positive effect on the affected area of the spine, which leads to a positive dynamics of treatment.
Unlike other parts of the spine, chest massage requires a special approach. The muscle fibers of this zone have a special range of motion.
The positive effects of massage procedures are manifested in the following:
- reduce pain levels;
- improving blood circulation at the site of disease localization;
- elimination of muscle spasms;
- increase the strength of the muscles of the arms;
- increase the mobility of the spine and initiate the regenerative processes of cartilage tissue.
Among the main principles of thoracic massage are:
- the beginning of the session should be done with light strokes that will ensure blood flow and reduce pain;
- It is recommended to use squeezing movements, friction and patches during massage;
- each movement should be repeated 4-5 times;
- movements should be performed along a single trajectory: from the shoulder blades - longitudinally, upwards;
- each side of the chest area should be treated separately.
Exercise therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy (therapeutic physical training) provides high-quality support for the optimal tone of the back muscle frame and helps to relieve pain in the paravertebral muscles.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is most effective in the early stages of the disease.
When doing gymnastics, it is important to consider and follow the basic rules for training for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, including:
- systematic repetition over several months;
- the duration of the lesson should not exceed half an hour;
- gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis should be performed without the use of additional equipment;
- you should only work in comfortable clothes and shoes;
- given the available contraindications.
Absolute contraindications include:
- acute heart pathologies;
- increase in body temperature (above 37. 6 ° C);
- oncological diseases;
- mental instability;
- dermatological diseases;
- high blood pressure.
Consultation with a neurologist, along with a reasonable, authoritative approach to lessons, ensures the successful achievement of remission at different stages of the disease.
Medications
Medical treatment of thoracic lumbar osteochondrosis is performed using pills, injection courses, candles or ointments / gels.
Drug treatment lasts for several months. In the absence of positive changes, the disease is eliminated by surgery.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
They are used to reduce pain and eliminate inflammatory processes occurring in the nerve roots.
Self-administration of PVNS is extremely dangerous to health and can cause irreparable damage. Consultation with a specialist is required.
Glucorticosteroids
Due to the hormonal nature of the drugs, their reception should be agreed with the attending physician. Otherwise, it can cause irreparable damage to the body.
Diuretics
Diuretics that eliminate swelling in the presence of compressed nerve roots.
Vitamin complexes
Intake of vitamins improves metabolic processes in nerve tissue.
Patients are prescribed B vitamins to restore high-quality metabolism.
Chondroprotectors
Medications that restore the elasticity of the intervertebral discs and shock absorption functions.
The intensity and dose of funds for thoracic osteochondrosis is determined by the stage of development of the disease.
Antispasmodics
They help to relax the muscle frame and get rid of the problem of persistent spasms, initiating the recovery process of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Nutrition
Therapeutic treatment of any disease involves adherence to the basics of a balanced diet.
Diet for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine slows down pathological processes and helps speed up the healing process.
Nutritional correction involves increasing the proportion of products in the diet that contain natural chondroprotectors that promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue.
It should be noted that in degenerative-dystrophic processes, the diet should be based on the full value of the diet and adherence to the drinking regime.
The diet must include foods containing calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, retinol, B and C vitamins.
It is also necessary to limit the consumption of strong tea and coffee, as well as to give up bad habits.
It is recommended to completely eliminate various types of semi-finished products, fresh baked goods, as well as high-sugar margarine and carbonated drinks from the diet.
Prophylaxis
To prevent the appearance or exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, it is recommended to regularly perform a number of preventive measures, including:
- giving up bad habits;
- to follow the principles of proper, balanced nutrition;
- walking, running, watching the safest and most comfortable position of the spine while sitting;
- ensuring comfortable sleep in the correct body position;
- organization of exercises in accordance with the set of exercises recommended for thoracic spine with osteochondrosis.
The comfort of a person's daily life is largely determined by his health.
When the first symptoms of spinal disease appear, consult a specialist who will help diagnose the disease and choose the right course of treatment for thoracic lumbar osteochondrosis.