Thoracic Osteochondrosis: Symptoms and Treatment

Thoracic osteochondrosis is a fairly common disease. Like other diseases of the musculoskeletal system, this disease has become more prevalent in recent years - often affecting middle-aged and even young adults. And, although it is the least prone to injury of all parts of the chest area, the condition is becoming increasingly common in men, women, and even children due to the mobility of the vertebrae's position. This is why thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease whose symptoms and treatment cause concern to many people.

What are the specific characteristics of the thoracic spine?

The thoracic spine does not bear as much load as the lumbar spine, and its mobility is lower than that of the cervical spine. Because of this, symptoms of osteochondrosis and other diseases appear later in the thoracic spine than elsewhere in the spine. According to statistics, the thoracic spine is the least susceptible to injuries, injuries and diseases, such as intervertebral hernia, vertebral body displacement, etc. However, there are many factors that increase the risk of disease and injury, such as scoliosis and poor posture. Like any other disease, thoracic osteochondrosis is usually not discovered until it has progressed significantly.

Symptoms and signs of thoracic osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the chest can be easily distinguished from other diseases by the characteristic symptoms of the disease. The following symptoms of osteochondrosis in the chest area are distinguishable:

• Chest pain that occurs as a result of staying in one position for a long time - manifested by sudden movements or strenuous physical activity;
• Deep inhaling and exhaling can cause pain and tightness in the mid-back;
• A stable pain syndrome occurs when the arm is raised and turned rapidly;
• Moderate pain was continuously observed in the scapula area;
• Certain parts of the body may become numb and desensitized;
• Unreasonable tingling or chills;
• Itching or burning in the legs and a drop in temperature relative to the rest of the body;
• The disease can cause side effects such as digestive disorders, intercostal neuralgia and problems in the reproductive area.

Depending on the symptoms of osteochondrosis in the chest area that appear during the course of the disease, the disease can be confused with other equally serious diseases, such as pneumonia, angina. Therefore, any signs of osteochondrosis require a complete physical examination.There are two types of pain caused by this disease:

• Dorsago - severe pain, accompanied by stiffness and interference with normal breathing;
• Back Pain – Prolonged pain in the disc area.

One of the most noticeable manifestations of the disease is upper abdominal pain. Pain can increase regardless of the season and is most commonly caused by diet.

Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine may occur for different reasons. The most common manifestations are as follows:

• Pathology of the disc structure, including genetic predisposition to develop spinal disease;
• Intervertebral disc thinning and hernia;
• Decreased quality of cartilage tissue;
• Circulatory disorders that block blood flow to the spinal cord;
• The spine is subjected to unreasonable loads, leading to degeneration of muscle tissue, cartilage, or bone;
• Lack of vitamins and trace elements, mainly calcium;
• sustained physical activity;
• Sedentary lifestyle, working in front of a computer or driving;
• Spinal injuries and other injuries.

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis should begin as early as possible. Even if no obvious signs of pain are detected, it does not mean that the disease does not require treatment. The sooner treatment is started, the easier and faster it will be. Modern medicine offers a variety of treatments for osteochondrosis that, when combined with traditional medical methods, can achieve fast and long-lasting results.The first stage of treatment is diagnosis. It is necessary to accurately identify the disease - for this, the doctor performs palpation, examination and takes a medical history. To accurately determine the cause, not only blood and urine tests are needed, but also X-rays or MRIs.After a diagnosis is made, your doctor will decide how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis. The usual course of treatment includes not only medication, but also physical therapy, exercise therapy, massage, etc.

Exercise therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis

Exercise therapy and massage are mandatory for this disease, but in any case, the basis of treatment is medicine. Doctors treat osteochondrosis based on the patient's specific condition.

manual therapy

If manual therapy is added in addition to regular massage and physical exercise, the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis will be more thorough. It helps eliminate increased muscle tone, eliminate spasms, and also restores the normal position of the back muscles. A chiropractor can relieve back tension, free up blood vessels to improve blood supply, provide quality nutrition, and restore spinal discs.

physiotherapy

Medication is often combined with physical therapy methods. Typically patients will be prescribed:

• Shockwave therapy is the application of sound waves to the chest area. Improves metabolism, blood supply to affected areas, improves tissue repair and relieves pain;
• Decompression therapy - helps reduce the load on the spine and relieves spasms caused by the patient's own body weight;
• Electrotherapy – uses an electric field to heat tissue, delivering pulses to improve blood circulation and stimulate metabolism. Under the influence of electric current, drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis are absorbed more efficiently;
• Ultraviolet light therapy – Quartz therapy enhances the production of vitamin D and can also help relieve pain and improve immune system function;
• Magnetic therapy - low-frequency electromagnetic fields improve the supply of useful substances to diseased areas, accelerate healing and improve blood flow;
• Laser Therapy – Laser can relieve cramps and pain, reduce inflammation, and stimulate tissue repair processes;
• Ultrasound – Ultrasonic vibrations help relieve pain, inflammation, and promote better absorption of medications.

medical treatement

For this condition, medical treatment may include internal and external medications.Pills to treat osteochondrosis allow you to:

• relieve pain;
• relieve inflammation;
• relax muscles;
• Improve local blood circulation;
• Restore metabolism;
• Enhance tissue regeneration.

Symptomatic treatment is very important for this disease. First, take painkillers. They can free you from the pain that sometimes accompanies every movement. To ensure that the medication both relieves pain and reduces inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with analgesic properties are recommended. In addition, for osteochondrosis, it is recommended to take chondroprotective drugs, vitamin-mineral complexes and immunomodulators.Topical medications used to treat disease serve the same purpose as medications taken internally. Ointments, gels, and creams applied to the affected area may contain analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as chondroprotectants and other necessary medications.

folk remedies

Long before all modern medicines were invented, traditional medicine helped treat osteochondrosis. Their effectiveness is not that high, but the side effects are non-existent or minimal. Folk remedies are an excellent complement to primary treatments, and as part of a complex regimen, they can help you recover faster.Folk remedies include:

• Soak horseradish leaves in boiling water and apply to affected areas - this can relieve the symptoms of osteochondrosis and regular treatment can prevent the condition from getting worse;
• Applying homemade cottage cheese with a few drops of vinegar on the body overnight can eliminate symptoms of osteochondrosis in the chest or neck;
• Rub a tincture of the leaves and flowers of the butterbur plant onto the affected area;
• Cool fresh rye flour cake slightly and apply it to sore areas to reduce inflammation and pain.

Offers traditional medicine and oral therapies. For osteochondrosis of the chest, you can use:

• Pour four cloves of garlic and three crushed lemons into boiling water and take one tablespoon at a time on an empty stomach. It cannot be used for gastritis and peptic ulcer;
• Replace regular tea with a decoction of bilberry leaves, one tablespoon per liter of boiling water;
• Horse sorrel, boil for ten minutes. Go away for a few hours and check into a couple of hotels three times a day. This is an effective treatment for osteochondrosis pain;
• Nettle juice. Mix one tablespoon of honey and ethanol in equal proportions three times a day for a week and a half.

What should I do if my condition gets worse?

Exacerbations are the most difficult part of this disease. They are accompanied by severe pain called back pain. Relieving such severe pain is difficult and not always possible on your own. Exacerbations may be caused by:

• low temperature;
• Physical exercise;
• Overworked, constantly working hard;
• Training is too aggressive;
• Stress and other strains on the nervous system.

What should a person do if they feel their condition is about to get worse? First, you need to make an appointment with a neurologist. He will diagnose your condition and prescribe the necessary treatments to help eliminate exacerbations and minimize symptoms. Exacerbations are often accompanied by nausea, high-intensity headaches, limited mobility, and general weakness.Because the disease is so closely linked to breathing, worsening of the condition can cause difficulty—deep breathing and rapid exhalations can become very painful. To minimize the number of muscle spasms, bed rest is recommended during exacerbations.Patients whose condition worsens are referred to inpatient care and transported by ambulance so the patient does not have to move as much. During treatment, medications to relieve muscle spasms are first prescribed. To relieve pain, analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy are used.One of the most serious consequences of worsening of the disease can be intervertebral hernia. Slight herniation of the thoracic spine can cause pain in different parts of the back. If the protrusion is large, it can cause serious problems and put the patient's life at risk. In this case, the only way to eliminate an intervertebral hernia is surgery.To avoid such complications during the exacerbation of the disease, it is recommended to follow the following rules:

• Maintain bed rest and minimize physical activity and unnecessary exercise;
• maintain healthy eating habits;
• Follow all doctor's recommendations and take prescribed medications;
• Massage and rub the affected area;
• On the advice of a doctor - exercise therapy;
• Apply gels, ointments, and creams prescribed by your doctor to the chest and spinal area;
• Participate in a physical therapy program prescribed by your doctor.

Precaution

Chest osteochondrosis is an unpleasant condition that is best avoided. To reduce your risk of developing this disease, you must:

• Avoid lifting more than normal limits;
• Protects the spine from hypothermia;
• Take regular breaks to avoid overexertion;
• Make sure your posture is correct.
• Don't stay in the same position for long periods of time, especially if it's uncomfortable.

If your professional activities inevitably involve maintaining a posture, then you need to establish a rule about performing physical exercises. Professionals who sit in one place for long periods of time, such as office workers and drivers, need to get up regularly, change the position of the spine, and stretch their legs. If possible, use these body minutes to perform a set of exercises developed specifically for this type of situation.A correct and nutritious diet is equally important. The main principle of a healthy diet for the musculoskeletal system is the avoidance of salty foods. Salt is deposited in bone and cartilage tissue, causing its destruction.It is best to sleep on an orthopedic mattress. If this is not possible, it is better to sleep on a hard surface rather than one that is too soft. You can place a special board on your bed or sofa.