Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease in which changes or disorders of bone tissue occur that destroy the discs and ligaments in the chest area. Sedentary work, a sedentary lifestyle, spinal overload, flexion, poor posture - all of 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 lower 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. The spread of processes in the bones often begins in the part that has the most stress - in the front wall of the department.
However, it is impossible to start or, even more so, to ignore the disease, because the negative consequences of 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 degree of its development, and prescribe how to treat the patient. But there are a number of symptoms with which a person can assume the presence of the disease itself. It can be:
- pain between the edges of the shoulders and on the left side of the chest;
- stomach and heart pain;
- added pain during deep inspiration;
- chest numbness.
Since these symptoms may be due to several other diseases, the doctor should make a comprehensive diagnosis to confirm the assumptions about the diagnosis. The complex of hospital studies usually includes:
- X-ray of the chest;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- electrocardiography etc.
Only by excluding all possible concomitant diseases, the doctor can make the final diagnosis - osteochondrosis. If during the examinations any other disorder in the body was found, 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 thoracic spine diseases, first of all, should aim at reducing pain in the chest area. Therefore, more often than not the problem elimination process involves taking medication, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercises to relieve disc pressure. It is not recommended to treat osteochondrosis of the chest itself, only after consultation with a specialist.
If osteochondrosis worsens, sharp back pain appears, the patient can be treated only after the pain has subsided. In this case it is indicated to rest in bed until the patient's condition calms down. In addition, the doctor may prescribe some other procedures that may increase the effect of the medication and provide effective treatment:
- alignment of the spinal discs;
- vacuum therapy;
- acupuncture;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetopuncture;
- inductometry etc.
All these procedures can not completely cure the patient, but, of course, they will have a positive effect on the treatment of the disease.
Spinal extension is used during an exacerbation of the disease and helps relieve pain by easing 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, helping to relieve thoracic back pain as well as normalizing 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 can not alleviate the condition of the thoracic spine.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic gymnastics includes a set of exercises, the main purpose of which is to strengthen the muscular corset of the chest region. The types of exercises are developed by the complex and are available to any 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 describe it yourself. Exercise can only begin when the cause of the disease is clear and treatment of osteochondrosis begins. But proper and specially designed gymnastics can significantly affect the healing process.
Drug treatment
Medication treatment of the disease involves taking anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. In addition, the doctor should prescribe medications 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 to eliminate the problem.
An innovative way to treat osteochondrosis is an anti-inflammatory patch, which helps solve many spinal problems. Applying it to the chest area allows you to reduce pain, relieve inflammation and improve blood circulation to 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 increase the oxygen supply to the tissues of the intervertebral discs, as well as help the work of blood vessels and improve lymph flow. This allows you to restore normal functioning of the chest region, stop the development of osteochondrosis and cure the patient.
Effective treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis is possible with the use of a variety 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 time, effort and money to cure the disease.
Preventive measures recommended by doctors include:
- strengthening the muscles of the spine and preventing excessive load;
- avoiding hypothermia;
- getting wet in the rain or sweating in the gym, you should immediately change wet clothes and wear only dry clothes;
- strengthening gymnastics during sedentary work;
- regular course of back massage (at least once a year).
A strong chest spine corset will guarantee good health and comfortable mobility for many years to come. Preventing any disease of the musculoskeletal system is much easier and requires less time than treating the disorders that have emerged later. Do not ignore the advice of doctors, it is better to lead an active lifestyle. Then health will always be strong.