Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, in contrast to osteochondrosis of the cervix and lumbar spine, is very rare.

It all has to do with the structure of the thoracic region: there are more discs than the cervix and lumbar, the discs are smaller and thinner. The mobility of this section is generally lower, and part of the load is taken from the ribs and sternum.

With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, symptoms can be confused, for example, with a heart attack. The reason for this is in the specifics of the disease.

Painful pain during movement and exertion, as in osteochondrosis of the cervix or lumbar region, is not present in this case, and complications associated with suspected angina pectoris or myocardial infarction or impaired respiratory function come inforeground.

Reasons

To a greater extent, the development of osteochondrosis is facilitated by hypodynamics - a deficit of muscle loads, which forms the lack of training of the muscular corset, weakening of its functions and an increase in load on the ligaments and intervertebral discs.

The following conditions can also cause the onset of osteochondrosis:

1. Incorrect posture and lateral curvature of the spine;
2. Bad habits;
3. Nervous and physical tension, stress;
4. Back and spine overload when wearing high-heeled shoes, during pregnancy, and flat feet;
5. Back injuries;
6. Hypodynamics;
7. Inheritance;
8. Hard physical work.

Thoracic vertebral intervertebral discs are equally badly affected by a sedentary lifestyle and physical activity, which increases the likelihood of injury.

What is the specificity of the thoracic spine?

Everyone knows that the thoracic region is functionally inactive, especially when compared to the neck. And the load on it is not so great, relative, for example, to the lumbar spine. Therefore, the onset of a disease of the thoracic region rarely occurs with any symptoms at an early stage of development.

Low mobility of the thoracic spine is associated with its anatomical features - the connection of the vertebrae to the ribs and sternum makes it possible to create a fairly mobile and, at the same time, strong structure, which isless susceptible to damage and external influences.

The relatively small load in this department contributes to the fact that the occurrence of any problems in it (for example, vertebral displacement, intervertebral hernia, disc protrusion) are quite rare, this is confirmed by statistics. However, at the same time, their appearance can not be called something extraordinary, for example, poor behavior and scoliosis can be a kind of provocative factors that lead to the emergence of back diseases.

At the same time, the symptoms of such diseases appear quite late and are quite typical of osteochondrosis - they usually represent compression of the nerve roots, in rare cases, compression of the spinal cord itself or its damage due to violation of theblood supply, narrowing is also possible as a result of compression of veins and arteries.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can have completely different symptoms, similar to the manifestations of other diseases of the internal organs. It is often thoracic osteochondrosis that is mistaken for ischemic heart disease, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer, and even myocardial infarction and pneumonia. This is why this disease is called "chameleon".

Symptoms related to pain:

1. The pain is localized under the shoulder blades, it can radiate to the nerves between the ribs. This leads to neuralgia. The pain increases when a person breathes, actively moves.
2. Chest pain is more often localized to the left and may resemble ischemic heart disease. In this situation, it is important to find out in time why the pain appeared. It is necessary to fully examine the cardiovascular system.

Neurological symptoms:

1. Numbness or "buzzing" in the legs, upper chest and abdomen (depending on the disc involved);
2. Reflex muscle tension in the chest or upper back;
3. In particularly advanced cases, it is possible to disrupt the functioning of the pelvic organs, a decrease in potency in men.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, in addition to pain in the spine and back, near the site of localization of osteochondrosis, may also be pain in the upper abdomen, heart, liver, gallbladder.

With the onset of such pain, it is sometimes possible to misdiagnose. Pain in the right side of the chest below the ribs can be confused with inflammation of the gallbladder, on the left side of the chest - it can be confused with a heart attack. It is a mistake to mistake the pain in the relevant areas of the abdominal cavity for the manifestation of a stomach ulcer or gastritis

Dorsago

Dorsago is one of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, which is manifested by acute pain. Usually this symptom occurs in people who sit for a long time in one position or in an uncomfortable position, with monotonous performance of monotonous work.

Spine pain may occur in the chest region, muscles tense, and sometimes it is even difficult to breathe. Rib neuralgia can occur.

Dorsalgia

The ignition period will last 2-3 weeks. In this case, the painful sensations gradually increase. Mild pain appears in the affected spine. As a rule, the pain is manifested particularly actively with deep breathing and bending forward, backward, to the sides.

The nature of dorsalgia pain can be very different. The pain can be pulling, burning, aching, cutting, can give underfoot, arm, buttocks, shoulder. In terms of localization, the pain is no less varied. They can appear below, above, in the middle, on the right, on the left, between the shoulder blades.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

When designing a treatment plan that defines how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, diagnostic data based on an X-ray examination helps. Such an examination gives a clear idea of ​​how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, because X-ray readings showing the growth of vertebral bodies and the presence of changes in the intervertebral distance (decrease in height) are a characteristic symptom of this disease.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine depends on the stage of the disease and is reduced mainly to conservative therapy. Surgery is extremely rare in the case of a spinal hernia.

Medications

Drug therapy is based on the following principles:

1. Using a special medicine that allows you to keep fluid inside the intervertebral disc.
2. Vitamin. Most often, complexes or complete preparations of vitamins with elements of group B are described
3. Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants that reduce the spasm of the muscles surrounding the spine.
4. Painkillers. NSAIDs and analgesics based on drug combinations.
5. Chondroprotectors. Essential for catalyzing the damaged cartilage repair process.

After eliminating the acute symptoms, massage the muscles of the back and lower limbs. Manual therapy is indicated in 1-3 degrees of osteochondrosis in case of development of functional blockages. It includes various options for soft and hard effects on the back muscles.

The duration of treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine depends on the severity of the disease and the degree of age-related changes, as well as the patient's care in meeting the prescription of the attending physician.

Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the chest

In the case of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, patients are prescribed therapeutic exercises, the main purpose of which is to increase the mobility of the costal-vertebral and intervertebral joints. Exercise therapy (subject to regular and correct exercise) allows you to eliminate even very strong muscle spasms. Moderate physical activity will help relieve stiffness in the spine, which occurs with a weak muscular corset.

Daily sessions, supervised by an experienced instructor, will have a beneficial effect on the whole body, and especially on the bronchopulmonary system. Patients have improved lung ventilation and they become able to breathe deeply and breathe deeply.

Massage

Massage not only weakens the severity of the symptoms of the disease, but also helps a person heal, the efforts are a positive effect of other elements of complex therapy.

prescribed individually based on the clinical picture of thoracic spine osteochondrosis, the presence of chronic diseases and contraindications.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is used to eliminate hypertension and muscle spasms, as well as to restore back movement. Thanks to manual therapy, it is possible to loosen blood vessels, improve nutrition and oxygen supply to intervertebral disc tissues.

Correct position at rest and during sleep

To prevent osteochondrosis and during the treatment period, it is necessary to arrange the right position at rest and in sleep. It is best if you sleep in a uniform and firm bed, but in order to be without fanaticism, if the bed does not meet the requirements, it is not recommended to sleep on the floor, so you can get cold. This measure is very necessary in order for the spine to quickly regain its normal shape.

However, at first quite strong painful sensations may appear, which continue until the vertebrae take on a physiological position. To relieve pain and discomfort, you can place a roller under the affected area.

Exercises

The most effective treatment for muscle spasm is physical therapy. Well-chosen exercises relax and, at the same time, strengthen and train the back muscles. As a result, the thoracic spine is stabilized and the choked spinal nerves are released.

The set of exercises for chest osteochondrosis is performed as follows:

1. Starting position - while sucking, stand up straight, legs together, arms down. Stretch your arms out - exhale, then lean back - take a deep breath. Lower your arms, lean forward, round your back and lower your shoulders and head - exhale. Perform 8 to 10 repetitions.
2. Starting position - sitting in a chair. Slowly bring your hands behind your head - inhale, bend 5 times, leaning on the back of a chair with your shoulders - exhale.
3. Starting position - climb on all fours and bend your back as much as possible, hold for 3 seconds like this, keep your head straight for three. Perform 5 - 7 repetitions.
4. Starting position - it is comfortable to lie on your stomach and rest your hands on the floor. At the same time, bend strongly and try to pull the body off the floor. Perform 5 - 8 repetitions.
5. Initial position - lying on the stomach with arms extended along the body. Bend at the chest, trying to raise your head and legs as much as possible. Perform 5 - 8 repetitions.

If you follow all the doctor's prescriptions, then slowly but surely you can achieve a noticeable improvement.

Prevention

Chest health and other parts of the spine can be damaged by:

• long static loads (sitting in front of TV, computer);
• weight lifting;
• chewing habit;
• hypothermia and frequent colds.

Office workers who sit in the workplace due to their service duty need to change body position more often, get up, do physical exercises. Even simple stretching is beneficial.