Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease in which changes or disorders of bone tissue occur that destroy discs and ligaments in the chest area. Sedentary work, sedentary lifestyle, congestion of the spine, bending, poor posture - all these factors can lead to the development of the disease.
Thoracic osteochondrosis occurs less frequently than similar disorders in the cervical or lumbar spine. This is due to the poorer mobility of the bones and joints of this area.
Due to the fact that the chest has a convex shape, the load on the bones and joints is unevenly distributed. Proliferation of the process in the bones often begins in the part that has more stress - on the front wall of the department.
However, it is impossible to start or, even more, ignore the disease, because the negative consequences of the further development of osteochondrosis can significantly affect a person's lifestyle. Treatment of the disease can be prescribed only by a doctor.
Diagnosis of the disease
Only a specialist can diagnose osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, determine the stage of its development and prescribe how to treat the patient. But there are a number of symptoms by which a person can assume the presence of a disease in himself. It can be:
- pain between the shoulder blades and in the left side of the chest;
- abdominal and heart pain;
- increased pain during deep breathing;
- numbness in the chest.
Because these symptoms may be the result of some other disease, the physician must conduct a comprehensive diagnosis to confirm the assumptions about the diagnosis. The complex of hospital studies usually includes:
- chest x-ray;
- M. R. I;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- electrocardiography, etc.
Only by excluding all possible concomitant diseases, the doctor can make a definitive diagnosis - osteochondrosis. If other disorders are found in the body during the examination, this must be taken into account when deciding how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis in order not to worsen the situation.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment of thoracic spine disease, above all, should be aimed at reducing chest pain. Therefore, the most common troubleshooting process involves taking medication, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercises to relieve pressure on the discs. Self-treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is not recommended, only after consultation with a specialist.
If osteochondrosis worsens, sharp back pain appears, the patient can be treated only after the pain subsides. In this case, bed rest is indicated until the patient's condition is relieved. In addition, your doctor may prescribe several other procedures that can improve the effect of medications and provide effective treatment:
- stretching the discs of the spine;
- vacuum therapy;
- acupuncture;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetopuncture;
- inductometry, etc.
All these procedures can not completely cure the patient, but will, of course, have a positive effect on the treatment of the disease.
Spine stretching is used during the worsening of the disease and helps relieve pain by relieving the load on the discs. This procedure can be performed only under the supervision of a doctor and according to his recommendations.
Acupuncture is a method that has recently become increasingly popular in the treatment of osteochondrosis, it helps relieve pain in the thoracic spine, as well as the normalization of the immune system.
In extremely rare cases of advanced disease, surgery may be necessary. The decision to perform the operation is made by the patient together with the doctor, if gymnastics and manual therapy cannot alleviate the condition of the thoracic spine.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic gymnastics includes a set of exercises whose main purpose is to strengthen the muscular corset of the thoracic region. Types of exercises have been developed in the complex and are available to every person who has been prescribed physiotherapy exercises to solve the problem of thoracic osteochondrosis.
It is wrong to assume that gymnastics is harmless, so you can prescribe it yourself. Exercise can be started only when the cause of the disease is clear and the treatment of osteochondrosis begins. But proper and specially designed gymnastics can significantly affect the healing process.
Drug treatment
Drug treatment of the disease includes taking anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. In addition, the doctor should prescribe drugs that restore cartilage tissue and a vitamin complex aimed at strengthening bones and ligaments. However, their application is possible only in combination with other troubleshooting methods.
An innovative way to treat osteochondrosis is an anti-inflammatory patch, which helps solve many spinal problems. Its application in the chest area allows you to reduce pain, relieve inflammation and improve blood circulation in a certain part of the spine.
Manual therapy
The most effective treatment for a disease such as osteochondrosis involves the use of manual therapy. The action of experts will help activate and improve the oxygen supply to the tissues of the intervertebral discs, as well as help in the work of blood vessels and improve lymph flow. This allows you to restore the normal functioning of the thoracic region, stop the development of osteochondrosis and cure the patient.
Effective treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis is possible with the use of a range of actions and measures.
Prevention of thoracic osteochondrosis
No matter how timely and effective the treatment of the disease is, in any case, it is easier to deal with prevention. After all, it is better to prevent osteochondrosis than to spend time, effort and money on treating the disease.
Preventive measures recommended by doctors include:
- strengthening the muscles of the spine and preventing overload;
- avoiding hypothermia;
- if you get wet in the rain or sweat in the gym, immediately change into wet clothes and wear only dry clothes;
- strengthening gymnastics during sedentary work;
- regular back massage course (at least once a year).
A strong thoracic spine corset guarantees good health and comfortable mobility for many years. Prevention of any disease of the musculoskeletal system is much easier and takes less time than the treatment of violations that occurred later. Do not ignore the advice of a doctor, it is better to lead an active lifestyle. Then health will always be strong.