Thoracic osteochondrosis is a difficult disease to diagnose. It is less common than cervical and lumbosacral lesions because the thoracic spine is inactive. Because important internal organs are close to the spine, it is not always possible to make an accurate diagnosis immediately: according to symptoms, serious diseases of the heart, large blood vessels, and lungs are close to osteochondrosis-and vice versa: osteochondrosis can manifest itselfIt is similar to lung or heart symptoms.
Pain can be in the waistband, radiating (giving) the shoulders, under the shoulder blades in the form of low back pain, intensified with deep breathing. The chest area may be painful, showing an uncomfortable posture, with the body tilted. The pain on the left side of the chest is similar to a heart attack, while the hypochondriac pain on the right is cholecystitis. The paravertebral muscles are usually tense, and symptoms of numbness, chest, abdomen, and arms are often seen.
The thoracic spinal canal is quite narrow, so even small hernias or protrusions formed in osteochondrosis can compress the spinal cord. All of these will destroy the quality of life, affect performance and emotional areas.
The treatment of breast osteochondrosis must be timely and effective to prevent the progression of the disease and the development of complications. You know, it is impossible to completely cure thoracic osteochondrosis. But it is possible to ensure that this disease causes the least problems for a person. It is important to change your lifestyle, introduce new habits, feasible physical activities, and follow treatment recommendations. Then osteochondrosis will not be felt.
Risk factors for breast osteochondrosis
- Sedentary lifestyle. Osteochondrosis affects people who sit for long periods of work and force their posture in the workplace, such as in front of computer desks, sewing machines, and people who do not recognize physical activity. The muscles that support the spine atrophy, and their static load increases.
- overweight. The higher the weight, the greater the load on each vertebra.
- smokes. This bad habit can cause the blood supply to tissues including vertebrates to be interrupted.
- Excessive, incorrectly dosed physical activity. This includes frequent lifting and bearing, jumping and running.
- Postural disorder, scoliosis. These spinal diseases can cause degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs and muscle tension.
Treatment of chest osteochondrosis
- medical treatement:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs-they can relieve pain and swelling of soft tissues. Gels, ointments, creams and other local forms can be used to treat intercostal neuralgia;
- Anesthetics-Paravertebral injection to stop pain and relieve muscle spasms;
- Glucocorticoids-when other drugs are ineffective, these hormonal drugs are used in the form of paravertebral blockers;
- Muscle relaxants-relieve painful muscle spasms;
- Antidepressants-help relieve the psychological and emotional stress inherent in osteochondrosis;
- B vitamins-nourish nerve formation, thereby fighting neurological diseases. When treating osteochondrosis, use preparations containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12;
- Chondrprotectants-can suspend the destruction of intervertebral discs to a certain extent and improve bone metabolism. It is best to inject them directly into the paravertebral tissues, because oral drugs need to be consumed in high doses for a long time.
- physiotherapy. Physiotherapy methods act locally on the focal point of the disease-relieve pain, cramps, improve blood circulation, tissue nutrition. In the case of chest osteochondrosis, the doctor may prescribe magnetic therapy, electrophoresis, ultra-high frequency, and laser therapy.
- massage. Massage the collar area, chest area, and hands. If the condition worsens, it is recommended not to start the massage from the first day, and proceed with caution at the beginning. It is necessary to achieve relaxation of the spastic muscles. During the period when there is no pain, the massage technique becomes different-the technique becomes more intense. In addition to the usual, you can also perform some effects. In the case of chest osteochondrosis, manual and vacuum massage, vibration massage are useful. These types can be used in combination or interchangeably.
- physiotherapy. Daily special treatment exercises will help prevent or reduce the frequency of deterioration of breast osteochondrosis. For example, you can perform the following exercises:
- Sit on a chair, put your hands behind your head and inhale, then bring your shoulder blades together and touch the back of the chair (exhale). Repeat 10-15 times;
- Get on all fours and slowly arch your back, like a cat, stay in this position for a few seconds. Then bend your back and keep it in this position. Repeat 15-20 times;
- Lie on your back, raise your head, straighten your arms and lie flat along your body, hold for a few seconds, and return to the starting position. Repeat 7-10 times;
- Lie on your back, straighten your legs and raise them to a height of 20-30 cm, and hold for 15-20 seconds. Repeat 10 times;
- Remove the spine. It is performed on a special table with rollers on the massage table. Towing underwater is also possible. The soft tissue is stretched while the intervertebral disc is unloaded.
- Isometric relaxation afterwards. It is performed by a massage therapist or rehabilitation therapist who understands this technique. This method allows you to relax the muscles that spasm in your back.
- acupuncture. Allows you to relieve muscle cramps and relieve pain.
- Spa. With the help of biologically active substances secreted by leeches, blood flow is improved, pain symptoms are reduced, and soft tissue inflammation stops.
What can I do to prevent and treat chest osteochondrosis
- Try to avoid static postures. If you are sitting in front of a computer or work machine, take a warm-up break every one and a half hours. Stretch, do breathing exercises, bend your head forward, backward, and sideways, swing your arms, and bend your torso. The work chair should have a comfortable backrest that follows the curve of the spine. You can put a special orthopedic pillow on it. The seat should be firm, and the height of the chair should be equal to the length of the calf. There are requirements for the desk-the desk is usually at the level of the elbow of the bent arm.
- It is recommended to sleep on an orthopedic mattress to respect the natural curve of the spine.
- It is not recommended to carry too many heavy objects, but if necessary, squat or kneel to lift the heavy objects off the floor. Carry the clothes straight on your back and spread it evenly on your hands.
- For osteochondrosis, you must maintain your weight, eat less fried, high-fat foods, and exclude carbonated drinks and alcohol.
- Sports such as swimming and skiing are very useful. Exercise regularly.
The best treatment plan for thoracic osteochondrosis should include several complementary methods. The treatment plan is formed separately. The important thing is to relieve pain, improve tissue nutrition, relieve intervertebral discs, relax spasm muscles, and strengthen muscles to tie the waist. For this reason, treatment must be repeated, at least twice a year, supplemented by daily treatment exercises, systematic swimming and hydrotherapy treatments.
Which doctor to contact
If you develop symptoms of breast osteochondrosis, you should consult a neurologist. Usually, if necessary, additional examinations by neurosurgeons-therapists, cardiologists, rheumatologists, pulmonologists-are also prescribed to rule out concomitant diseases. Physical methods are very important for treating diseases, so it is useful to consult a nutritionist, physical therapist, physical therapist and massage specialist.