Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - medications, physiotherapy and gymnastics

For modern people, one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system, diagnosed not only in the elderly, is osteochondrosis.It mainly affects the lumbar region, which constantly carries a high load, especially when walking, and the cervical region, which affects office workers and students.The chest region is affected less often, but also requires careful attention and timely initiation of treatment.

What is osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

The primary degenerative process (destruction, loss of original functions) that occurs in the intervertebral discs, against the background of which secondary reactive and compensatory changes gradually develop in the joints and ligaments - this is how the diagnosis "osteochondrosis of the spine" is understood in official medicine.The disease is polyfactorial (multifactorial), first affecting the intervertebral disc (a formation of fibrocartilaginous tissue between the bodies of a pair of adjacent vertebrae), and then:

• other parts of the spine;
• the entire musculoskeletal system;
• nervous system.

Due to the structural features of the chest region, the symptoms of the disease are similar to the clinical picture of diseases of the heart and respiratory system.Severe pains due to osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occur in the second stage, intensify with physical activity and do not always clearly indicate the back.List of symptoms for each degree of the disease:

1. Pain in the affected area or in the chest area on the left, similar to heartache: constant or shooting.Convulsive muscle contractions.
2. Sharp pains in the area below the shoulder blade, can also appear between the ribs (the intercostal nerves are interrupted), accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the chest.It tends to intensify when you inhale, when you turn, bend the body.It adds to the discomfort when you hold an uncomfortable position for a long time.
3. Problems with the sensitivity of the upper part of the chest, abdomen, lower extremities, the appearance of "goosebumps" - due to damage (pinching) of the nerve roots.Development of intervertebral hernia, limitation of mobility due to kyphosis or scoliosis.
4. Hypoxia, pulmonary congestion, other dysfunctions of the respiratory system.The development of fibrosis, the passage of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the structures surrounding the spine.Clinical picture of remission (softening).

Constant pain in the chest region occurs with osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree, indicating the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring and depression of the nucleus pulposus, which can lead to rupture of the fibrous tissue and the formation of an intervertebral hernia.In the clinical picture of the manifestations of osteochondrosis, in addition to the compression syndrome (from the compression of the roots of the spinal cord), reflex symptoms appear:

• muscle-tonic (muscle spasm leading to hypoxia and severe pain);
• neuro-dystrophic (against the background of constant irritation of peripheral nerves by muscle spasms, paresthesia appears: a feeling of numbness, "thumping", ringing in the ears, which intensifies when you take certain body positions);
• vegetative-vascular (spasm of blood vessels from muscles, manifested by headache, dizziness, disruption of the functioning of internal organs and blood supply to the brain).

How to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Most experts agree that this disease is closely related to the right posture and "functioning conditions of the spine", therefore it is partly natural for people and mainly requires the minimization of the number of development factors.These include:

• physical inactivity (sedentary or sedentary lifestyle);
• posture disorders;
• excessive physical activity, heavy lifting;
• nervous tension, stress;
• increased load on the back due to wearing high heels, flat feet, during pregnancy;
• the habit of bowing.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine includes the removal of all the above points: this will alleviate the patient's condition.It is also important to avoid hypothermia and not hold an uncomfortable position for a long time.A very important nuance is the issue of physical activity: therapeutic exercises should be included in the schedule of a person with osteochondrosis, but in the initial stage - under the supervision of a doctor.In addition, the treatment regimen includes:

• manual therapy (especially in the presence of curvature, flow of clotted blood, if the disease is caused by injury);
• massage courses;
• swimming;
• physiotherapy;
• acupuncture;
• local and systemic effects of the drug.

There is no single treatment regimen for osteochondrosis.In some cases, it is even important to maintain the correct position in bed, adjust the diet, and with the 4th degree of thoracic osteochondrosis, complete with complications (spina bifida, hemangioma), surgical intervention may be required.An accurate therapeutic regimen is drawn up based on the patient's complaints and diagnostic procedures performed.

At home

After receiving the results of diagnostic studies (X-rays are of particular importance), the doctor chooses the optimal regimen of conservative treatment.All procedures are performed in the hospital (physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture) and at home it is required:

• Use local anesthetics and analgesics to relieve pain.
• Take products that improve the composition of cartilage tissue.Some doctors advise taking additional vitamins for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region (group B).
• Perform therapeutic exercises every day.
• Watch your diet.

Drug treatment

Local and systemic use of drugs is necessary both during remission and during periods of exacerbation.Drug treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine includes the elimination of symptoms and the impact on the degenerative process:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, pain relievers - to relieve inflammation and pain.Ointments, creams, tablets are used.
• Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics - relieve muscle or blood vessel spasm.
• Chondroprotectors - preparations of glucosamine or chondroitin, restore cartilage tissue.

The selection of drugs of any group, especially for long-term treatment, should be done with a doctor.A specialist will also tell you how much to use and whether you will need to repeat the course.

Food

Correcting the diet will also provide significant support for bones, cartilage and muscle tissue: remove salt, sugar (reduce the amount to a minimum) and carbonated drinks.It is recommended not to overdo it with spices, spicy and fatty foods, carefully monitor your weight, do not overeat and monitor water balance.Strong coffee, alcohol and fried foods are prohibited.The diet should:

• be based on protein products (milk, lean meat and fish, cottage cheese);
• have sources of chondroitin (jelly, aspic, jellied meat);
• consists of boiled or baked dishes;
• characterized by a sufficient amount of fresh vegetables and grains.

exercise

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis requires the regular implementation of a complex of exercise therapy aimed at increasing the mobility of the intervertebral joints and costovertebral joints.Its tasks include reducing pain, stiffening the spine, strengthening the muscle corset and improving lung ventilation.Simple exercises at home:

• Sit in a chair, while inhaling, put your hands behind your head.As you exhale, lean back, resting your shoulder blades on the back of the chair.With a new breath, return to the starting position.Do these steps 5 times.
• Get up on all fours, exhale and arch your back.Count to 5, breathe evenly and return to the starting position.Repeat 10 times.
• Lying on your stomach, exhale, lift your legs and lift your chest off the floor, arching your back.Hands along the body.Count to 5, go down.Perform the exercise 10 times.

Massage

The indirect and reflex effect on muscle fibers and ligaments with massage has a beneficial effect on all parts of the spine, helps relieve pain, improve lymphatic flow, blood circulation and muscle tone.Massage is prescribed in the subacute or chronic stage of the disease, the technique is selected according to the patient's condition and the presence of additional diseases.Classic scheme:

1. The patient takes a horizontal position lying on his stomach.Lightly hit the chest area from the bottom up (from the lower edge of the shoulder blade to the neck) Duration - 1 minute.
2. The upper area (shoulder blade) is treated with compressions and boiling movements (another minute).
3. In the shoulder girdle (trapezius muscles) perform strokes (8 repetitions), squeezing and rubbing (5 times each).
4. The neck is stroked for one minute and again moved to the chest region in the order shown (1-2 steps).
5. From the occipital bone down, the spine rubs (narrowly spaced lines parallel to it).The duration of the scene is 1 minute.
6. Then blows to the spine, kneading movements and blows again (another 2-3 minutes).

The massage of the chest, neck and spine always ends with soothing (soothing) movements.Recommended sequence of techniques: squeeze, rub, hit.If the patient's pain hardly bothers him, the number of boiling movements can be increased and the duration of soothing movements can be reduced.The duration of the sessions is 10 minutes;in the latter (the course consists of 7-10 procedures), it is advisable to use friction movements as a basis.

During irritation

Stress, physical overload, hypothermia, heavy lifting - these factors can transform the chronic form of the disease into an acute form.The main symptoms of this are dizziness, migraines, chest pain and breathing problems.Treatment includes:

• relief of symptoms with local sedatives and analgesics for internal use;
• bed rest;
• wearing a corset to fix the vertebrae (if there is a hernia).

If the deterioration is severe, an ambulance should be called and admitted to the hospital, where the doctor will monitor the patient's condition and choose the right medications for him.

Acupuncture

Among the non-traditional methods of treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system and beyond, acupuncture (acupuncture) is the leader.It is based on the impact of thin needles on active points, each of which is a complex formation of choroid plexuses, nerve endings and connective tissue.Acupuncture helps:

• stimulate the synthesis of endogenous (internal) opiates - endorphins and enkephalins, which have an analgesic effect: this leads to the elimination of pain;
• stimulates the production of cortisol from the adrenal glands, which has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• normalization of blood circulation;
• eliminate swelling of the spinal nerves;
• improvement of cartilage tissue regeneration;
• relief of paravertebral muscle spasm.

Acupuncture will be effective only if you contact a qualified specialist: then you will not encounter side effects, you will get quick results - relief comes after the first session.The recommended course is 10 procedures.Due to the fact that the doctor often applies current through the needles, slight discomfort is possible during the process, and red spots remain after the needles are removed.

Manual therapy

Based on the data obtained from the X-rays, the doctor may recommend starting treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine by visiting a chiropractor.The task set before him is to restore blood circulation, the ligamentous apparatus and the functional state of the spine.Additional manual therapy sessions added to the main treatment regimen:

• help reduce the severity of pain;
• elimination of muscle spasms;
• slow down the rate of disease development;
• stimulate the regenerative properties of tissue cells.

In modern medicine, a new manual technique - post-isometric muscle relaxation (PIR) - has become particularly popular for several years.It is based on a soft and gentle stretch, stimulating the simultaneous contraction of all muscles, after which it relaxes completely.The technique is suitable for situations when, due to the uneven contraction of the muscle tissue, the functioning of the joint surrounded by it is disrupted, which leads to the limitation of its movement.

During pregnancy

High loads on the spine, hormonal fluctuations, water and electrolyte balance, especially from the 2nd trimester, lead to worsening or occurrence of osteochondrosis in pregnant women.The treatment regimen is selected exclusively by the doctor;it should include:

• wearing a corset to support the back;
• selection of comfortable shoes (reduce the load on the back);
• local use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• performing therapeutic exercises.

Folk remedies

In addition to the main treatment regimen, you can add some non-traditional methods of local and systemic effects in osteochondrosis.Most of them are allowed both in the acute and chronic phase, but keep in mind that any drug can cause negative reactions related to the individual untranslatability of specific products.Effective options:

• Take 2 hot pips, grind together with the seeds, mix with a glass of vegetable oil.Inject in a glass container for 5 days (in a dark place).Apply it, rubbing it gently on the affected area, up to 2 times a day, without covering anything.This ointment should not be applied to skin with wounds or scratches.Not used for long-term treatment - only for severe pain.
• Boil some large peeled potatoes and mash them.You can add a little butter.Spread this mixture on gauze folded three times and apply to the affected area.Cover this area with a wool scarf.The compress is kept until it cools, the procedure is repeated every evening.The treatment lasts 3 weeks.

Celery root

To relieve unpleasant symptoms (pain caused by muscle spasms), you can take a course of celery-based medicine.The simplest thing is to grind the freshly peeled root and squeeze it through cheesecloth, or pass it through a juicer to extract juice.Drink 1 tbsp.l.before meals 3 times a day.Duration of treatment - 3 weeks.Alternative: pour 2 tbsp.l.the resulting liquid with a glass of boiling water, let it stand for 2 hours.Drink 1 tbsp.l.even before meals, up to 4 times a day.The treatment lasts one month.

sunflower root

Decoctions and tinctures from sunflower root have a good effect on pain in any lesion of the musculoskeletal system.It can be used both locally and internally;it will also be beneficial for the gallbladder and nervous system.Simple recipes:

• Crush the roots, pour 200 g of the resulting powder into 1.5 liters of cold water.Remove from heat after boiling, leave for 3 hours, wrapping the container with a towel.Use for applied compresses 1-2 times a day until it cools down.The course of treatment is 3 weeks.
• Take 2 liters of water for 100 g of crushed sunflower roots and let it boil for 10 minutes.Wait until the soup cools.Drink half a glass before meals 3-4 times a day, warm before taking it.The course of treatment lasts 3 weeks.

Homemade ointment

Local effects on the musculoskeletal system are mainly rubbing and ointments that can be prepared at home.Honey and vegetable oils are used as a base;alcohol or vodka is added to some compositions.All topical treatment products are applied to undamaged skin in small amounts 1-2 times a day.The most effective recipe:

1. Combine camphor with mustard 1:1.
2. For 100 g of the resulting mixture, take 100 ml of alcohol and 100 g of egg white (raw, beaten).
3. Keep the ointment in the refrigerator for 2 weeks, rub it on the affected areas at night (remove a small amount beforehand to warm to room temperature), then cover the back with gauze and a woolen scarf.The treatment lasts 2 weeks.