Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, unlike cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis, is very rare.

It all depends on the structure of the thoracic region: it has more discs than the cervical and lumbar combined, the discs are smaller and thinner. The mobility of this section is usually lower, and part of the load is taken by the ribs and breastbone.

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

Painful pain during movement and exertion, as in cervical or lumbar osteochondrosis, are not present in this case, and complications associated with suspected angina or myocardial infarctionor impaired respiratory function are demonstrated.

Reasons

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

The following conditions can also trigger the onset of osteochondrosis:

1. Poor posture and lateral curvature of the spine;
2. Bad habits;
3. Nervous and physical tension, stress;
4. Overload on the back and spine when wearing high heel shoes, during pregnancy and flat feet;
5. Back injuries;
6. Hypodynamic;
7. Heredity;
8. Work physically hard.

The intervertebral discs of the thoracic vertebrae are also severely affected by a sedentary lifestyle and physical activity, which increases the risk of injury.

What is the specificity of the thoracic spine?

Everyone knows that the thoracic region is functionally inactive, especially in relation to the neck. And the load is not so great, compared, for example, to the lumbar spine. For this reason, the appearance of a disease of the thoracic region is quite rare with symptoms at an early stage of development.

The low mobility of the thoracic spine is associated with its anatomical features - the connection of the vertebrae with the ribs and the sternum allows to create a sufficiently mobile structure and, at the same time, strong, less susceptible to injury andto external influences.

The relatively low load of this service contributes to the fact that the appearance of problems (for example, displacement of the vertebrae, intervertebral herniation, disc protrusion) is quite rare, this is confirmed by statistics. However, at the same time, their appearance can not be called extraordinary, for example, poor posture and scoliosis can be a kind of factors provoking the appearance of diseases of the spine.

At the same time, the symptoms of these diseases appear quite late and are quite typical of osteochondrosis - they usually represent the compression of the nerve roots, in rare cases the compression of the spinal cord itself or itsdamage due to a violation of the blood supply, it is also possible to narrow as a result of compression of the veinsand arteries.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the symptoms may be completely different, similar to the manifestations of other diseases of internal organs. Often times, it is thoracic osteochondrosis that is mistaken for coronary heart disease, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer and even myocardial infarction and pneumonia. For this, this disease is called "chameleon".

Pain-related symptoms:

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

Neurological symptoms:

1. Numbness or “goosebumps” in the legs, upper chest and abdomen (depending on the affected disc);
2. Reflex tension in the muscles of 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 can also be pain in the upper abdomen, the heart, liver, gallbladder.

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

Dorsago

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

Pain in the spine in the chest area may occur, the muscles tighten and sometimes it is even difficult to breathe. Intercostal neuralgia can occur.

Back pain

The pushing 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 manifests itself especially actively with deep breathing and bending forward, backward and to the sides.

The nature of back pain can be very different. The pain can be pulling, burning, painful, cutting, it can give under the leg, the arm, the buttock, the scapula. In terms of location, the pains are no less varied. They can appear at the bottom, top, middle, right, left, between the shoulder blades.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

When developing a treatment plan that determines how to treat osteochondrosis of the chest region, diagnostic data based on the x-ray examination helps. Such an examination gives a clear idea of ​​how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis, since x-ray readings that indicate the growth of the vertebral bodies and the presence of changes in the intervertebral distance (decrease in height) are a characteristic symptom ofthis disease.

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

Drugs

Pharmacotherapy is based on the following principles:

1. Using a special medicine that allows you to keep fluid inside the intervertebral disc.
2. Vitamins. Most often, complete vitamin complexes or preparations with the group of elements B are prescribed
3. Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants that reduce spasms in the muscles surrounding the spine.
4. Analgesics. NSAIDs and pain relievers based on drug combinations.
5. Chondroprotectors. Indispensable to catalyze the repair process of damaged cartilage.

After the elimination of acute events, massage of the muscles of the back and lower extremities is applied. Manual therapy is indicated at 1 to 3 degrees of osteochondrosis in the event of the development of functional blockages. It includes various options for soft and rough 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 change, as well as the patient's diligence in complying with the prescriptions of the attending physician.

Gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis

With 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 muscle corset.

Daily sessions, supervised by an experienced instructor, will have a beneficial effect on the whole body in general, and in particular on the bronchopulmonary system. Patients have better ventilation of the lungs and are able to breathe and exhale deeply without pain.

Massage

Massage

not only weakens the severity of the symptoms of the disease, but also helps a person to recover, exertion is a positive effect of other elements of complex therapy.

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

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is used to eliminate muscle hypertonicity and spasms, as well as to restore back mobility. Manual therapy helps to free blood vessels, improve nutrition and oxygen supply to the tissues of the intervertebral discs.

Correct posture at rest and during sleep

For the prevention of osteochondrosis and during the period of treatment, it is necessary to organize the correct position at rest and sleep. It is better to sleep on a flat, hard bed, but so that it is not fanatical, if the bed does not meet the requirements, it is not recommended to sleep on the floor, because you can catch a cold. This measure is very necessary so that the spine quickly returns to its normal shape.

However, initially quite intense pain sensations may appear, which persist until the vertebrae assume a physiological position. To relieve pain and discomfort, you can place a roller under the affected area.

Exercises

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

A series of exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis is performed as follows:

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

If you follow all of the doctor's prescriptions, you can slowly but surely achieve significant improvement.

Prevention

The health of the chest and other parts of the spine may be affected by:

• long static charges (sitting in front of the TV, the computer);
• weightlifting;
• habit slumped;
• hypothermia and frequent colds.

Office workers who sit in the workplace due to their duty on duty have to change their body position more often, get up, do physical exercises. Even a simple stretch is beneficial.