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

For modern people, osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system, diagnosed not only in older people.It mainly affects the lumbar region, which constantly bears a high load, especially when walking, and the cervical region, which affects office workers and students.The thoracic region is affected less frequently, but also requires special attention and prompt treatment.

What is osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

The primary degenerative process (destruction, loss of original functions) occurring in the intervertebral discs, against the background of which secondary reactive and compensatory changes in joints and ligaments gradually develop - 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), then:

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

Due to the structural features of the thoracic region, the symptoms of the disease are similar to the clinical picture of diseases of the heart and respiratory system.Severe pain from osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occurs in the 2nd stage, intensifies with physical activity and does 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 region on the left, similar to heart pain: constant or throbbing.Convulsive muscular contractions.
2. Sharp pain in the area below the shoulder blades may also appear between the ribs (the intercostal nerves are affected), accompanied by a feeling of pressure on the chest.Tends to intensify when inhaling, turning, bending the body.Added to the discomfort is prolonged maintenance in an uncomfortable position.
3. Problems with sensitivity of the upper chest, abdomen, lower extremities, appearance of "goosebumps" - due to damage (pinching) of the nerve roots.Development of an intervertebral hernia, limitation of mobility due to kyphosis or scoliosis.
4. Hypoxia, pulmonary congestion, other respiratory system dysfunctions.The development of fibrosis, the transition of degenerative-dystrophic processes to the structures surrounding the spine.Clinical picture of remission (attenuation).

Constant pain in the thoracic region appears with osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree, indicating the appearance of cracks in the annulus fibrosus 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 compression of the roots of the spinal cord), reflex symptoms appear:

• muscle tonic (muscle spasms leading to hypoxia and severe pain);
• neuro-dystrophic (against the background of constant irritation of peripheral nerves by spasming muscles, paresthesias occur: a feeling of numbness, “goosebumps”, ringing in the ears, which intensify when taking certain body positions);
• vegetative-vascular (spasm of blood vessels through 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 associated with upright posture and "conditions of functioning of the spine", therefore it is partly natural for humans and, first of all, requires minimizing the number of developmental factors.These include:

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

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

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

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

At home

After receiving the results of diagnostic studies (x-rays are of particular importance), the doctor selects the optimal conservative treatment regimen.All interventions are carried out in the hospital (physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture), and at home the following are required:

• Use local anesthetics and painkillers 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 daily.
• Watch your diet.

Drug treatment

Local and systemic use of drugs is necessary both during remission and during periods of exacerbation.Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine consists of eliminating symptoms and influencing the degenerative process:

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

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

Food

Correction of the diet will also provide important support for bone, cartilage and muscle tissues: eliminate salt, sugar (reduce the amount to a minimum) and carbonated drinks.It is advisable not to overuse spices, spicy and fatty foods, carefully monitor your weight, not overeat and monitor your water balance.Strong coffee, alcohol and fried foods are prohibited.The plan must:

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

Exercises

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis requires 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, spinal stiffness, strengthening the muscle corset and improving pulmonary ventilation.Simple exercises at home:

• Sit on a chair, while inhaling, place your hands behind your head.As you exhale, lean back, resting your shoulder blades on the back of the chair.With another breath, return to the starting position.Perform these steps 5 times.
• Get on all fours, exhale and bend your back.Count to 5, breathing evenly and return to the starting position.Repeat 10 times.
• Lying on your stomach, exhale, raise 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 of massage on muscle fibers and ligaments 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 chosen depending on the patient's condition and the presence of additional diseases.Classic scheme:

1. The patient takes a horizontal position lying on his stomach.Lightly rub the chest area from bottom to top (from the lower edge of the shoulder blade to the neck) Duration - 1 minute.
2. The upper area (shoulder blades) is treated with compression and kneading movements (an additional minute).
3. On the shoulder girdles (trapezius muscles), perform stroking (8 repetitions), compressions and rubbing (5 times each).
4. The neck is stroked for a minute and again moved to the chest region in the indicated order (1-2 steps).
5. From the occipital bone downward, the spine is rubbed (parallel lines close together).The duration of the stage is 1 minute.
6. Then stroking is performed on the spine, kneading movements and stroking (another 2-3 minutes).

The massage of the chest, neck and spine always ends with stroking (soothing) movements.Recommended sequence of techniques: squeeze, rub, stroke.If the patient's pain does not bother him much, the number of kneading movements can be increased and the duration of the soothing movements can be reduced.The duration of the sessions is 10 minutes;in the latter (the course includes 7-10 procedures), it is advisable to rely on rubbing movements.

During an exacerbation

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

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

If the exacerbation is severe, an ambulance should be called and hospitalization in a hospital, where the doctor will monitor the patient's condition and select suitable medications for him.

Acupuncture

Among 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;
• stimulate the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands, which has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• normalize blood circulation;
• eliminate swelling of the spinal nerves;
• improve the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
• relieve paravertebral muscle spasms.

Acupuncture will be effective only if you contact a qualified specialist: then you will not encounter side effects, you will achieve quick results - relief comes after the 1st session.The recommended course is 10 procedures.Since the doctor often applies current through the needles, slight discomfort is possible during the process and reddish dots remain after the needles are removed.

Manual therapy

Based on the data obtained by x-ray, the doctor may recommend starting treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine by consulting a chiropractor.The task assigned to 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;
• eliminate muscle spasms;
• slow down the rate of development of the disease;
• stimulate the regenerative properties of tissue cells.

In modern medicine, a new manual technique – post-isometric muscle relaxation (PIR) – has become particularly popular in recent years.It is based on gentle, gentle stretching, stimulating the simultaneous contraction of the entire muscle, after which it is completely relaxed.The technique is suitable for situations where, due to uneven contraction of muscle tissue, the functioning of the joint surrounding it is disrupted, which leads to limitation of its movement.

During pregnancy

High loads on the spine, fluctuations in hormones, water and electrolyte balance, especially from the 2nd trimester, lead to exacerbation or the appearance of osteochondrosis in pregnant women.The treatment regimen is chosen exclusively by the doctor;it must include:

• wear a corset to support the back;
• selection of comfortable shoes (reduce the load on the spine);
• local use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• perform therapeutic exercises.

Folk remedies

In addition to the main treatment regimen, you can add several non-traditional methods of local and systemic effects on osteochondrosis.Most of them are allowed in acute and chronic stages, but keep in mind that any remedy can cause side effects associated with the individual untranslatability of specific products.Effective options:

• Take 2 hot peppers, chop them with seeds, mix with a glass of vegetable oil.Infuse in a glass container for 5 days (in a dark place).Apply by rubbing gently on the affected area, up to twice a day, without covering anything.This ointment should not be applied to skin with wounds or abrasions.It is not used for long-term treatment, but only for severe pain.
• Boil several large peeled potatoes and mash them into a puree.You can add a little butter.Distribute this mass on gauze folded three times and apply to the affected area.Cover this area with a wool scarf.The compress is kept until cooling, the procedure is repeated every evening.The treatment lasts 3 weeks.

Celeriac

In order to relieve unpleasant symptoms (pain caused by muscle spasms), you can take a course of celery-based remedies.The easiest way is to grate the peeled fresh root and pass it through cheesecloth, or put it through a juicer to extract the juice.Drink 1 tbsp.L.before meals 3 times a day.Duration of treatment – 3 weeks.Alternative: pour 2 tbsp.L.the juice obtained with a glass of boiling water, leave for 2 hours.Drink 1 tbsp.L.also before meals, up to 4 times a day.The treatment lasts one month.

sunflower root

Decoctions and tinctures of sunflower root have a beneficial effect on pain associated with any damage to 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 in a towel.Use for compresses applied 1 to 2 times a day until cooled.The duration of treatment is 3 weeks.
• Take 2 liters of water per 100 g of crushed sunflower roots and simmer for 10 minutes.Wait for the broth to cool.Drink half a glass before meals 3 to 4 times a day, warm before taking.The duration of treatment lasts 3 weeks.

Homemade ointment

Local effects on the musculoskeletal system are mainly rubs and ointments that can be prepared at home.Honey and vegetable oils are used as a base;alcohol or vodka are added to some compositions.All topical treatment products are applied to the skin without damage in small amounts 1-2 times a day.The most effective recipe:

1. Mix 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. Store the ointment in the refrigerator for 2 weeks, rub it into the affected areas at night (remove a small amount beforehand to warm it to room temperature), then cover your back with gauze and a woolen scarf.The treatment lasts 2 weeks.