Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease in which changes or disorders occur in the bone tissue that destroy discs and ligaments in the chest area. Sedentary work, sedentary lifestyle, congestion of the spine, bending over, poor posture - all these factors are very likely to 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 reduced mobility of the bones and joints in this area.
Due to the fact that the chest has a convex shape, the load on the bones and joints is unevenly distributed. The proliferation of processes in the bones often begins in the part that has the most stress, on the anterior wall of the ward.
However, it is impossible to start or, even more so, to 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 only be prescribed by a doctor.
Diagnosis of the disease
Only a specialist can diagnose osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, determine the degree 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 the disease itself. Can be:
- pain between the shoulder blades and in the left side of the chest;
- pain in the stomach and heart;
- increased pain during deep inspiration;
- numbness in the chest.
Since these symptoms may be due to other diseases, the doctor must conduct a full diagnosis to confirm the hypothesis about the diagnosis. The hospital studies complex usually includes:
- chest x-ray;
- Magnetic resonance;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- electrocardiography, etc.
Only by excluding all possible concomitant diseases, the doctor can make the final diagnosis - osteochondrosis. If other disorders in the body were detected during the examinations, this should be taken into account when deciding how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis so as not to aggravate the situation.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment of diseases of the thoracic spine, first of all, should be aimed at reducing pain in the chest area. Therefore, very often the process of eliminating the problem includes taking medications, manual therapy and therapeutic exercises to relieve pressure on the discs. It is not recommended to treat thoracic osteochondrosis on your own, only after consulting a specialist.
If osteochondrosis worsens, severe 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, the doctor can prescribe many other procedures that can increase the effect of drugs and provide effective treatment:
- stretching of the discs of the spine;
- vacuum therapy;
- acupuncture;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetopuncture;
- inductometry, etc.
All these procedures cannot completely cure the patient, but, of course, they will have a positive effect on the treatment of the disease.
Spinal stretching is used during an exacerbation of the disease and helps relieve pain by relieving the load on the discs. This procedure can be carried out 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 and normalizes the immune system.
In extremely rare cases of advanced disease, surgery may be required. The decision to perform the operation is made by the patient together with the doctor, if gymnastics and manual therapy cannot relieve the condition of the thoracic spine.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic gymnastics involves a set of exercises, the main purpose of which is to strengthen the muscular corset of the thoracic region. The types of exercises are developed by the complex and are available to every person who has been prescribed physiotherapy exercises to solve the problem of thoracic osteochondrosis.
It is a mistake to assume that gymnastics is harmless, and therefore you can prescribe it yourself. Exercises can only be started when the cause of the disease is clear and treatment of osteochondrosis is started. But proper and specially designed gymnastics can significantly affect the healing process.
Pharmacological treatment
Drug treatment of the disease involves taking anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. Also, the doctor should prescribe drugs that restore cartilage tissue and a complex of vitamins aimed at strengthening bones and ligaments. However, their application is possible only in combination with other methods of eliminating the problem.
An innovative way to treat osteochondrosis is an anti-inflammatory patch, which helps solve many spinal problems. Its application in the chest area allows 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 actions of a specialist will help activate and improve the oxygen supply to the tissues of the intervertebral discs, as well as help the work of blood vessels and improve lymphatic 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 osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is possible with the use of a number 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 engage in prevention. After all, it is better to prevent osteochondrosis than to spend the time, effort and money on treating the disease.
Preventive measures recommended by doctors include:
- strengthen the muscles of the spine and prevent excessive load;
- avoid hypothermia;
- getting wet in the rain or sweating in the gym, you need to immediately change into wet clothes and wear only dry clothes;
- strengthening gymnastics during sedentary work;
- regular course of back massage (at least once a year).
A sturdy thoracic spine corset will ensure good health and comfortable mobility for many years to come. Prevention of any disease of the musculoskeletal system is much simpler and takes less time than the treatment of violations that arose later. Do not neglect the advice of doctors, it is better to lead an active lifestyle. Then health will always be strong.