Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a commonly diagnosed condition. Statistics show that it accounts for about 40% of all diseases of the musculoskeletal system. In the early stages, a person for a long time may not be aware of his pathology.
Over time, he experienced a serious painful sensation localized in the thoracic spine. If you do not start treatment completely in a timely manner, there is a possibility of serious complications. The biggest danger is respiratory disorders.
Classification
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a relatively common disease in elderly patients. If you do not start full therapy on time, there may be serious complications.
Before starting treatment, doctors need to accurately classify the nature of the pathology. It can be:
- Dorsago - a painful sensation arising from the impulse that occasionally appears in the chest. Usually, this discomfort starts after a long stay in one position. A person has difficulty breathing, while he is practically unable to perform actions with his head. If he manages to move, then the pain pierces the entire space of the spine.
- Dorsalgia is a pathology in which prolonged attacks of pain occur. On average, they can last up to those weeks. This condition usually occurs due to severe damage to the intervertebral disc. During suffering, you should lead an inactive lifestyle and reject any activity. The pain increased significantly at night.
Pathological causes
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can occur in any person at any age.
However, the following groups of people are at increased risk:
- Leading an inactive lifestyle. If you do not play sports, metabolic processes are disrupted. Because of them, the human spine begins to accumulate deposits, which begin to squeeze the nerve endings. Discomfort increases significantly with the degree of degenerative destruction.
- Overweight - each extra kilogram carries an extra load on the spinal space. The higher your weight, the heavier your chest spine.
- Smokers - because of cigarettes, the blood circulation in the body is disrupted, because of this, the tissues of the spine do not receive enough useful elements.
- Leading an overactive lifestyle. Especially often the thoracic spine experiences frequent weight lifting.
- Various posture disorders. The curved spinal column is unable to distribute the load properly, causing the thoracic area to suffer.
Manifestation
The early stages of thoracic spine osteochondrosis are characterized by a very long period. For a long time, one may not realize the painful sensation. This is where the pathological danger lies, because only in the first stage of the disease can it be actively overcome.
In most cases, developing osteochondrosis can be identified by the following manifestations:
- Back muscle corset tension;
- A dull ache lies between the shoulder blades;
- A feeling of increased pressure in the chest area;
- Pain that occurs during palpation of the rotating process;
- Pain that can radiate to other parts of the body.
A person with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine often has limited movement in the morning. Cramps can also occur in certain parts of the sternum.
Often a person experiences numbness in their limbs, their posture begins to deteriorate rapidly - this is due to excessive tension in the muscle tissue. Additionally, there may be a sharp cut in the intercostal area.
To date, official medicine has not been able to find an effective remedy to repair a damaged intervertebral disc, for this reason, it is important to consult a chiropractor. Approach the choice of the specialist responsibly, as wrong movement can lead to serious complications.
Methods of treatment
Before starting treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, it is necessary to undergo an advanced diagnosis. With its help, it is possible to determine the localization of the degenerative process accurately, as it makes it possible to provide more effective and high-quality treatment. Please note that only your doctor can prescribe medication. There are a large number of different drugs in their principle of action.
First of all, you will be given painkillers - steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. They stop the production of passionate mediators, as one begins to feel better.
Please note that the patient must be under the constant supervision of the attending physician during treatment.
For maximum effect of treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis, therapy should be performed in combination. You should not be limited to just medicines. Treatment should be supplemented with physical therapy and sports activities.
Medicine
Drug therapy is the most important in the treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis. With the help of various medications, it is possible to stop the painful sensation as soon as possible.
It is also recommended to rest during sleep during recovery. Be sure to consult a qualified health service provider who can prescribe a safe and highly effective treatment regimen for you.
Generally, treatment of chest osteochondrosis includes the use of the following medications:
- Analgesics - allows you to stop acute pain syndrome quickly. It also prevents the development of respiratory system failure, which often leads to complications;
- Anti-seizures;
- Vitamin preparations based on vitamin B. They normalize metabolic processes, prevent degenerative changes.
Effective Training
Special physical training can overcome the manifestations of osteochondrosis of the chest. It must be done periodically - this is the only way you can get significant results from that approach.
Keep in mind that before starting such treatment, you must consult with an experienced specialist. He will tell you which complex is best for you. Even breathing exercises with osteochondrosis of the thoracic area have a positive effect on a person’s well-being.
The following exercises should be done:
- Board - lying on the floor, crawling against the wall. Throw your foot against the wall until it is parallel to it. Sew in a similar position for 1. 5 minutes to start. Each time, the number of approaches can be increased.
- Hang on the horizontal bar periodically. This will help you build the distance between your intervertebral discs, making you feel better.
- Lie on your back with your feet as close as possible to your chest and stay in this position for a few seconds. This posture can reduce tension in the spinal muscles, thus relieving pain.
For more successful treatment of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, it is very important to engage in physical education. It is best to go to the clinic for exercise therapy, where you will do everything under the supervision of your doctor. Be careful when playing sports. Any wrong movement can cause injury.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is a unique method of affecting a person's back, where the thoracic area completely eliminates painful sensations. With the right and orderly approach, you will be able to completely eliminate the sensation, the painful tension.
In addition, manual therapy contributes to the complete restoration of blood circulation. The active component begins to spread rapidly through the tissues, after which the person feels better.
Sort
Massage is a method of influence in which a doctor activates metabolic processes with his hands. It can be done at home and in the hospital.
Massage movements achieve the following results:
- Eliminates increased muscle tone;
- Strengthens the intervertebral disc;
- Accelerates the start of recovery completely;
- Promotes increased metabolic processes.
Physiotherapy procedures
Various physiotherapeutic procedures will help overcome the manifestations of osteochondrosis of the chest.
They not only fight off painful sensations, but also contribute to the normalization of internal processes. The most popular at the moment are the following procedures:
- Plasma injection. Some blood is taken from a person, from which plasma is separated. It is injected in its pure form directly into the spinal tissue, as it is possible to get rid of the painful sensation.
- Cupping massage is a kind of vacuum effect on the body, which can relieve pain and increase muscle tone in a short time.
- Magnetotherapy - the exposure of spinal space to a magnetic field. This procedure allows you to stop the degenerative process and improve metabolic processes. In addition, it relieves swelling and inflammation.
- Alitherapy is an innovative treatment that uses bees. The insect must bite the person directly to the affected area. This initiates metabolic processes, accelerating the removal of toxins and toxins.
- Mud healing. This helps nourish the spinal space with beneficial substances that prevent the development of degenerative changes in the human body.
- Spinal block - the use of special injections that relieve pain. Keep in mind that such medications should be used in the course.
What can be confused with chest osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease in which the manifestations can be easily confused with a number of other diseases. The symptoms may resemble:
- Angina pectoris and heart attack. However, the patient's cardiogram is normal, and the use of medications to normalize blood pressure does not bring results;
- Kidney colic, appendicitis or cholecystitis;
- Disease of the mammary glands;
- Ulcers, gastritis and colitis;
- Lung inflammation.
Prevention of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine
Chest osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease because the quality of life of any person is significantly reduced. If you start taking precautionary measures in a timely manner, the chances of complications will be significantly reduced.Many doctors highly recommend following these tips:
- If you work at a computer for long periods of time, get up from the desk every hour and do light heating. This will help normalize blood circulation and prevent stagnation.
- Keep your back warm. For this reason, stop bathing and shorts. Always make sure it is always warm.
- Drink vitamin complexes regularly to restore damaged tissue structure.
- Take a horizontal position for at least 30 minutes at noon. This will help the spine to adjust, making it easier to deal with stress.
- Exercise regularly. Muscle tone has a good effect on the condition of the back.