Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a condition that is diagnosed quite often. Statistics show that it accounts for about 40% of all diseases of the musculoskeletal system. In the initial stages, a person may not be aware of his pathology for a long period of time.
Over time, it develops serious painful sensations that are localized in the thoracic spine. If you do not start full treatment in time, there is a possibility of serious complications. The biggest danger is breathing disorders.
Classification
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease that is quite common in elderly patients. If you do not start full therapy on time, there is a possibility of serious complications.
Before starting treatment, the physician must accurately classify the nature of the pathology. It can be:
- Dorsago - painful sensations arise from impulses that appear in the chest from time to time. This discomfort usually starts after a long stay in one position. The person is faced with difficulty breathing, while practically unable to perform any actions with the head. If it manages to move, the pain pierces the entire 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 discs. During exacerbations, you should lead an inactive lifestyle and refuse any activity. The pain increases significantly at night.
Causes of pathology
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can occur in absolutely any person at any age.
However, the following groups of people are at increased risk:
- Leads an inactive lifestyle. If you do not do sports, metabolic processes are disturbed. Because of them, the human spine begins to accumulate deposits that begin to displace nerve endings. The degree of degenerative destruction significantly increases discomfort.
- Overweight - every extra pound carries an extra load on the spine. The heavier you are, the heavier your chest becomes.
- Smokers - because of cigarettes, blood circulation in the body is disturbed, because of which the tissues of the spine do not get enough useful elements.
- Leads an overly active lifestyle. Especially often the thoracic spine suffers from frequent lifting of heavy loads.
- Various posture disorders. The curved spine is not able to properly distribute the load, which causes the thoracic region.
Events
The initial phase of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by an extremely long period. For a long time a person may not notice any painful sensations. Therein lies the danger of pathology, because only in the first phase can it be actively treated.
In most cases, the development of osteochondrosis can be recognized by the following manifestations:
- Tightness of the back muscles;
- Dull aching pain located between the shoulder blades;
- Feeling of increased pressure in the chest area;
- Pain occurring during palpation of spinous processes;
- Pain that can radiate to other parts of the body.
A person with thoracic spine osteochondrosis often has limited mobility in the morning. Crunching may also occur in certain parts of the sternum.
Often a person faces stiffness of the limbs, posture begins to deteriorate rapidly - this is due to excessive tension in the muscle tissue. In addition, sharp pain that is localized in the intercostal spaces may occur.
To date, official medicine has not been able to find effective remedies to repair damaged intervertebral discs, so it is necessary to consult a chiropractor. Approach the choice of experts responsibly, because every wrong movement can cause serious complications.
Treatment Methods
Before starting treatment for thoracic spine osteochondrosis, it is necessary to undergo an extended diagnosis. With its help, it is possible to precisely determine the localization of the degenerative process, due to which more efficient and quality treatment can be ensured. Keep in mind that only your doctor can prescribe medications. There are a huge number of different drugs that differ in the principle of action.
First of all, you will be prescribed painkillers - steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They stop the production of arousal mediators, which makes a person start to feel much better.
Keep in mind that the patient must be under constant medical supervision during treatment.
In order to achieve the maximum effect from the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the therapy should be carried out in combination. You shouldn’t limit yourself to just medications. Treatment should be completed with physical therapy and sports activities.
Medications
Drug therapy is of the utmost importance in the treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis. With the help of various medications, it is possible to stop painful sensations as soon as possible.
It is also recommended to adhere to bed rest during recovery. Be sure to consult a qualified healthcare professional who can prescribe a safe and highly effective treatment regimen.
In general, treatment for breast osteochondrosis involves the use of the following medications:
- Analgesics - allow you to quickly stop the acute pain syndrome. It also prevents the development of damage to the respiratory system, which often causes complications;
- Antispasmodics;
- Vitamin preparations based on vitamin B. They normalize metabolic processes, prevent degenerative changes.
Effective exercise
Special physical exercises are able to deal with the manifestations of osteochondrosis in the chest. They need to be performed regularly - the only way you can achieve significant results with the approach.
Keep in mind that you should definitely consult an experienced specialist before starting such treatment. They will tell you which complexes are best for you. Even breathing exercises with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region have a positive effect on a person’s well-being.
The following exercises should be done:
- Board - lie on the floor, crawl to the wall. Throw your feet against the wall so that they are parallel to it. Sew in a similar position for 1. 5 minutes to begin. Each time the number of accesses can be increased.
- Stick to the horizontal bar regularly. This will help you adjust the spacing between your intervertebral discs, making you feel much better.
- Lie on your back with your legs as close to your chest as possible and stay in this position for a few seconds. This posture can relieve tension in the spinal muscles, and thus relieve pain.
For more successful treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, it is necessary 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 a doctor. Be extremely careful when doing sports. Any wrong movement can easily lead to injury.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is a unique method of affecting the human back, in which the thoracic region is completely relieved of painful feelings. With the right and regular approach, you will be able to completely get rid of painful sensations, tension.
In addition, manual therapy contributes to the complete restoration of blood circulation. The active components begin to spread rapidly through the tissues, after which the person feels much better.
Massages
Massage is a method of influence in which the doctor activates metabolic processes with his hands. It can be performed at home and in the hospital.
Massage movements achieve the following results:
- Remove increased muscle tone;
- Strengthen intervertebral discs;
- Accelerates the onset of full recovery;
- Promotes the improvement of metabolic processes.
Physiotherapy procedures
Various physiotherapeutic procedures will help to cope with the manifestations of osteochondrosis in the chest.
They not only fight against painful sensations, but also contribute to the normalization of internal processes. The following procedures are currently the most popular:
- Plasma injections. The part of blood from which plasma is separated is taken from a person. It is injected in pure form directly into the tissues of the spine, which allows the removal of painful sensations.
- Cupping massage is a type of vacuum effect on the body that is able to relieve pain and increase muscle tone in a short time.
- Magnetotherapy - exposure of the spine to a magnetic field. The procedure allows you to stop the degenerative process and improve metabolic processes. In addition, it relieves swelling and inflammation.
- Aliterapy is an innovative treatment that uses bees. The insect must bite the person directly into the affected area. This starts metabolic processes, accelerates the removal of toxins and toxins.
- Mud healing. It helps to nourish the spine with useful 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 osteochondrosis of the chest?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease, the manifestations of which can easily be confused with many other diseases. Its symptoms may resemble:
- Angina pectoris and heart attack. However, the patient's cardiogram is normal, and the use of drugs to normalize blood pressure does not bring any results;
- Renal colic, appendicitis or cholecystitis;
- Diseases of the mammary glands;
- Ulcer, gastritis and colitis;
- Pneumonia.
Prevention of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine
Osteochondrosis in the chest is a dangerous disease that significantly reduces the quality of life of every person. If you start adhering to preventive measures in a timely manner, the probability of complications will be significantly reduced.
Many doctors strongly recommend following these tips:
- If you work at a computer for a long time, get up from your desk every hour and warm up slightly. It will help normalize blood circulation and prevent stagnation.
- Keep your back warm at all times. For this reason, give up cold showers and short clothes. Always keep warm.
- Regularly drink vitamin complexes that restore the structure of damaged tissues.
- Take a horizontal position for at least 30 minutes in the middle of the day. This will help the spine to straighten, which makes it easier to cope with stress.
- Exercise regularly. Muscle tone has a beneficial effect on the condition of the back.