Chest osteochondrosis is a difficult disease to diagnose. It is less common than lesions of the cervical and lumbosacral spine because the thoracic vertebrae are inactive. Due to the proximity of important internal organs of the spine, it is not always possible to immediately make an accurate diagnosis: according to symptoms, serious heart disease, large blood vessels, lungs are close to osteochondrosis - and vice versa: osteochondrosis can manifest itself similar to pulmonary or cardiac symptoms.
The pain can be a girdle, radiate (give) in the shoulders, under the shoulder blades in the shape of a lumbago, intensify with a deep breath. Possible painful pain in the thoracic region, which is manifested by uncomfortable posture, tilting of the body. Pain in the left side of the chest resembles a heart attack, and in the right hypochondrium - cholecystitis. Paravertebral muscles are usually tense, there are frequent problems with numbness, crawling in the chest, abdomen and arms.
The spinal canal in the thoracic region is quite narrow, and even small hernias or protrusions caused by osteochondrosis can compress the spinal cord. All this impairs the quality of life, affects performance, emotional sphere.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the breast must be timely and competent to prevent disease progression and development of complications. You should know that it is impossible to completely cure thoracic osteochondrosis. But it is quite possible to ensure that the disease gives the person the least problems. It is important to change the way of life, introduce new habits, feasible physical activity, adhere to treatment recommendations. And then osteochondrosis will not be felt.
Risk factors for the development of breast osteochondrosis
- Sedentary lifestyle. Osteochondrosis affects people with sedentary work, forced posture at work, for example, at a computer desk, sewing machine, people who do not recognize physical activity. The muscles that support the spine are hypotrophied, and the static load on it increases.
- Overweight. The heavier the weight, the greater the load on each vertebra.
- Smoking. This bad habit leads to disruption of the blood supply to tissues, including vertebrates.
- Excessive, incorrectly dosed physical activity. This includes frequent lifting and carrying of weights, jumping and running.
- Posture disorders, scoliosis. These diseases of the spine lead to degenerative changes in the discs, muscle tension.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
- Drug therapy:
- anti-inflammatory drugs - relieve pain and swelling of soft tissues. Topical forms in the form of gels, ointments, creams may be useful in intercostal neuralgia;
- anesthetics - injected paravertebral to block pain and relieve muscle spasm;
- glucocorticosteroids - these hormonal drugs are used in the form of paravertebral blocks when other drugs are ineffective;
- muscle relaxants - relieve painful muscle cramps;
- antidepressants - help relieve psycho-emotional stress inherent in osteochondrosis;
- B vitamins - nourish nerve formations and thus fight against neurological disorders. In the treatment of osteochondrosis, preparations containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used;
- chondroprotectors - are able to somewhat stop the process of destruction of intervertebral discs, improve bone metabolism. It is better to inject them directly into the paravertebral tissues, because oral medications should be taken for a long time and in large doses.
- Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy methods act locally on the focus of the disease - relieve pain, cramps, improve blood circulation, tissue nutrition. In the case of osteochondrosis of the chest, the doctor may prescribe magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, UHF, laser therapy.
- Massage. Massage of the neck area, chest, arms is performed. In case of exacerbation, it is recommended to start the massage not from the first day and to perform it sparingly in the beginning. It is necessary to achieve relaxation of spasmodic muscles. In the period when there is no pain, the massage technique becomes different - the techniques are more intense. In addition to the usual, you can perform point effects. In the case of osteochondrosis of the chest, manual and vacuum massage, vibration massage are useful. These species can be combined or alternated.
- Physiotherapy. Performing special therapeutic exercises every day will help prevent or reduce the frequency of exacerbations of breast osteochondrosis. For example, you can do the following exercises:
- while sitting on a chair, put your hands behind your head and inhale, then connect your shoulder blades, touching the back of the chair (exhale). Repeat 10-15 times;
- stand on all fours and slowly bend your back, like a cat, stay in this position for a few seconds. Then bend your back up and also stay in this position. Repeat 15-20 times;
- in the supine position raise your head and straight arms lying next to your body upwards, hold them for a few seconds, return to the starting position. Repeat 7-10 times;
- lying on your back, raise your legs straight to a height of 20-30 cm, hold for 15-20 seconds. Repeat 10 times;
- Relief of the spine. It is performed on a special table, a massage bed with rollers. Underwater traction is also possible. Soft tissues are stretched, and at the same time the intervertebral discs are relieved.
- Post-isometric relaxation. It is performed by a massage therapist or rehabilitation therapist who knows this technique. The method allows you to relax your back muscles.
- Acupuncture. It 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 to prevent and treat osteochondrosis of the chest
- Try to avoid static poses. If you are sitting at a computer or working on a machine, take a break from warming up every hour and a half. Stretch, do breathing exercises, bend your head forward, back, sideways, swing your arms, bend your torso. The work chair should have a comfortable backrest that follows the curves of the spine. You can put a special orthopedic pillow on it. The seat should be firm and the height of the chair equal to the length of the lower leg. There are requirements for the table - the table top is normally at the level of the elbow of the bent arm.
- It is recommended to sleep on an orthopedic mattress in order to respect the natural curves of the spine.
- It is not recommended to carry too many weights, but if the need arises, squat or kneel to lift the weight off the floor. Wear an item of clothing with a flat back, spread it evenly on both hands.
- With osteochondrosis, it is necessary to maintain body weight, eat less fried, fatty foods, exclude carbonated beverages and alcohol.
- Sports such as swimming and skiing are very useful. Exercise regularly.
The optimal course of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis should include several methods that complement each other. The treatment program is formed individually. It is important to alleviate pain, improve tissue nutrition, relieve intervertebral discs, relax spasmodic muscles and strengthen the muscular corset. For these purposes, therapy must be carried out several times, and at least twice a year, supplemented by daily therapeutic exercises, systematic swimming and spa treatment.
Which doctor to go to
If symptoms of osteochondrosis of the breast appear, you should consult a neurologist. Usually, an additional examination by a neurosurgeon is prescribed, if necessary - a therapist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, pulmonologist in order to exclude concomitant diseases. Physical methods are important in the treatment of the disease, so it will be useful to consult a nutritionist, a specialist in physiotherapy, physiotherapy and massage.