Chest osteochondrosis is a disease that is difficult to diagnose. It is less common than lesions on the cervical and lumbosacral spine, because the thoracic vertebrae are inactive. Due to the proximity of important internal organs to the spine, it is not always possible to make an accurate diagnosis immediately: according to symptoms, serious heart disease, large ducts, lungs close to osteochondrosis - and vice versa: osteochondrosis can manifest. themselves similar to pulmonary or cardiac symptoms.
The pain can be a belt, radiating (giving) to the shoulder, under the shoulder blades in the form of lumbago, intensified by deep breathing. Probably aching pain in the thoracic area, indicated by an uncomfortable posture, tilting the body. Pain in the left side of the chest resembles a heart attack, and in the right hypochondrium - cholecystitis. The paravertebral muscles are usually tense, there are frequent complaints of numbness, creeping in the chest, abdomen, and arms.
The spinal canal in the thoracic region is relatively narrow, therefore, even a small hernia or protrusion formed in osteochondrosis can compress the spinal cord. All this disrupts the quality of life, affects performance, the emotional sphere.
Treatment of breast osteochondrosis must be timely and efficient to prevent the progression of the disease and the development of complications. You should know that it is impossible to completely cure thoracic osteochondrosis. But it is quite possible to make sure that the disease gives a person minimal problems. It is important to change your lifestyle, introduce new habits, feasible physical activities, follow treatment recommendations. And then osteochondrosis will not feel itself.
Risk factors for developing breast osteochondrosis
- Sedentary lifestyle. Osteochondrosis affects people who work inactive, forced body posture at work, for example, at a computer desk, sewing machine, people who do not recognize physical activity. The muscles that support the spine experience hypotrophy, and the static load on it increases.
- Overweight. The higher the weight, the higher the load on each vertebra.
- Smoking. These bad habits lead to disruption of blood supply to tissues, including vertebrates.
- Excessive physical activity, improper dosage. These include frequent lifting and carrying weights, jumping and running.
- Postural disorders, scoliosis. This spinal disease leads to degenerative changes in the discs, muscle tension.
Treatment of chest osteochondrosis
- Drug therapy:
- anti -inflammatory drugs - they relieve pain and swelling of soft tissues. Local forms in the form of gels, ointments, creams can be useful for intercostal neuralgia;
- anesthetic - injected paravertebrally to prevent pain and relieve muscle spasms;
- glucocorticosteroids - these hormone drugs are used in the form of paravertebral blocks when other drugs are ineffective;
- muscle relaxants - relieve painful muscle spasms;
- antidepressants - help relieve psycho -emotional stress inherent in osteochondrosis;
- B group vitamins - nourish nerve formation, thereby fighting nerve disorders. In the treatment of osteochondrosis, preparations containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used;
- chondroprotectors - can somewhat delay the process of destruction of the intervertebral disc, increase bone metabolism. It is better to inject it directly into the paravertebral tissue, as oral medications need to be taken for a long time and in high doses.
- Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy methods act locally on the focus of the disease - relieve pain, cramps, improve blood circulation, tissue nutrition. In case of osteochondrosis of the chest, the doctor may prescribe magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, UHF, laser therapy.
- massage. Massage the collar zone, thoracic area, hands is carried out. In case of exacerbation, it is recommended to start the massage not from the first day and to do it carefully at first. It is necessary to achieve relaxation of spasmodic muscles. During the painless period, the massage technique becomes different - the technique is more intense. In addition to the usual, you can do eye effects. In the case of chest osteochondrosis, manual and vacuum massage, vibration massage is useful. These types can be combined or alternated.
- Physiotherapy. Performing special therapeutic exercises daily will help prevent or reduce the frequency of deterioration of breast osteochondrosis. For example, you can do the following exercises:
- while sitting on a chair, place your hands behind your head and inhale, then close your shoulder blades, touch the back of the chair (exhale). Repeat 10-15 times;
- crawl and slowly bend your back, like a cat, lingering in this position for a few seconds. Then bend your back and also linger in this position. Repeat 15-20 times;
- in the supine position, lift your head and arms straight lying along the body upwards, hold them like this for a few seconds, return to the starting position. Repeat 7-10 times;
- lie on your back, lift your legs straight to a height of 20-30 cm, hold for 15-20 seconds. Repeat 10 times;
- Unloading the spine. It is carried out on a special table, a massage bed with rollers. Underwater traction is also possible. The soft tissue is stretched, at the same time the intervertebral disc is unloaded.
- Post -isometric relaxation. It is performed by a massage therapist or rehabilitation therapist who knows this technique. This method allows you to relax the spasmodic muscles of the back.
- Acupuncture. Allows you to relieve muscle cramps and reduce pain.
- Hirudotherapy. With the help of biologically active substances secreted by leeches, blood flow is improved, pain syndrome is reduced, and soft tissue inflammation is stopped.
What you can do yourself for the prevention and treatment of chest osteochondrosis
- Try to avoid static poses. If you are sitting in front of a computer or work machine, relax by warming up every half hour. Stretch, do breathing exercises, head bend forward, backward, sideways, swing arms, bend body. The work chair should have a comfortable back 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 seat should be equal to the length of the lower leg. There is a need for a table - the table surface is usually at the level of the elbow of the bent arm.
- It is advisable to sleep on an orthopedic mattress so that the natural curve of the spine is respected.
- It is not recommended to carry excessive loads, but if the need arises, squat or kneel to lift weights off the floor. Bring a dress with a straight back, flatten on both hands.
- With osteochondrosis, it is necessary to maintain weight, eat less fried, fatty foods, excluding carbonated beverages and alcohol.
- Sports like swimming and skiing are very useful. Exercise regularly.
The optimal course of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis should include several complementary methods. Treatment programs are designed individually. It is important to relieve pain, improve tissue nutrition, relieve intervertebral discs, relieve cramped muscles, and strengthen muscular corsets. For this purpose, therapy must be carried out repeatedly, and at least twice a year, coupled with daily therapeutic exercises, systematic swimming, and spa treatments.
Which doctor to contact
If symptoms of breast osteochondrosis appear, you should consult a neurologist. Usually, examination by a neurosurgeon is also prescribed, if necessary - a therapist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, pulmonologist to exclude concomitant diseases. Physical methods are important in treating disease, so it is useful to consult a nutritionist, physiotherapist, physiotherapist and massage therapist.