Osteochondrosis is one of the most common, well-studied, but difficult to treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This is not just back pain and a lot of discomfort: over time and if left untreated, osteochondrosis can lead to the development of severe deformities and significantly reduce the patient's standard of living. Therefore, it is very serious to catch this seemingly fearless disease even at the first signs.
Symptoms
Osteochondrosis very often goes undiagnosed for a long time. Osteochondrosis syndromes may also not point directly to the spine, disguising themselves as other diseases. And the patient "suppresses" the pain syndrome with painkillers, blaming everything for a migraine - at best, and at worst - being treated for a completely different disease, seeing no improvement for years.
At the initial stage of the development of the disease, osteochondrosis is manifested only by mild pain and discomfort after intense physical activity or long sitting in an uncomfortable position at the table. The disease develops over the years, gradually all symptoms intensify. Characteristic features of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region include:
- numbness and tingling in the limbs. Especially after a long stay in one position or after sleeping. This is one of the first signs of spinal problems. After rubbing, numbness and discomfort quickly pass and do not cause severe discomfort;
- sensations of cold, goosebumps on the skin in the area of the hands, often - on the hands or individual fingers, less often - in the affected back area;
- painful sensations often have a "wrong" localization. Pain can occur both in the area of the affected area of the spine, and radiate (give) to the chest area, similar to pain in heart disease, can occur when breathing. Therefore, when diagnosing osteochondrosis in the presence of pain in the region of the heart, an ECG will be a mandatory study - to exclude ischemic disease. In addition, pain is often given to the area of the shoulder blade (intercostal neuralgia) or to the left hand;
- painful sensations often intensify at night;
- the patient is also often plagued with migraine-like headaches. They can occur both on one side of the head and cover the entire head;
- a general decrease in well-being, mood;
- osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is rarely accompanied by compression of the spinal cord. But if this happens, the symptoms will be more pronounced: pain sensations become strong, accompanied by severe disturbances in the work of internal organs.
All the symptoms of osteochondrosis are a consequence of the compression of the nerve roots that pass along the spine. Depending on the area and the degree of compression, the symptoms can vary a lot, therefore, at the first suspicion of osteochondrosis, it is very important to make instrumental studies and make the correct diagnosis.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region rarely occurs on its own: the thoracic region is inactive and less stressed, most often this disease is combined with cervical osteochondrosis.
Methods of treatment of osteochondrosis
Like all degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system, osteochondrosis is treated very difficult and for a long time - there is no simple and quick cure. You should be prepared for it. It is impossible to reverse the degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs. The ideal option is to stop the development of the disease at the initial stage, when osteochondrosis does not impose any restrictions on the patient's lifestyle. In the early stages, it is enough only to slightly adjust the patient's lifestyle: increase physical activity, supplement the diet. But it is extremely rare to make a diagnosis at the very beginning of the development of pathological changes.
The traditional osteochondrosis therapy complex includes:
- Pharmacological therapy. . . It consists of several components:
- with severe pain syndrome, the patient is prescribed painkillers. Most often these are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Less commonly used are steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, opiates and opioids. They are stronger, but have many restrictions on their use;
- an obligatory part of treatment is the intake of supplements and vitamins that strengthen the bone system;
- muscle relaxants help relieve muscle tension. But it must be said that without constant exercise in medical gymnastics, the intake of muscle relaxants is strictly contraindicated;
- the intake of co-protectors helps to accelerate the recovery processes in the affected area, although the attitude of specialists towards such drugs is very ambiguous.
- Drug-free treatmentit is much more important for the effective treatment of osteochondrosis.
- first of all, one should focus on the systematic and correct implementation of the remedial gymnastics complex. Physical therapy is aimed at strengthening the muscular corset around the spine, accelerates local blood circulation and, with regular exercise, can significantly improve the patient's condition;
- Physiotherapy treatments help relieve pain and muscle tension. They work in the same way as anti-inflammatory painkillers, but have far fewer contraindications;
- massage therapy. Both traditional therapeutic massage and many alternative methods are practiced, the main selection criterion is the professionalism of a specialist and consultation with the attending physician;
- manual therapy;
- traction (traction therapy) on a special simulator. The gentle traction of the spine allows you to relieve muscle tension and reduce the symptoms caused by the compression of the nerve roots;
- you should also change the approach to your diet, make it more balanced.
Therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
You can do medical gymnastics both in a special room in the hospital and at home. The more frequent and regular the sessions are, the greater the effectiveness. It is recommended to conduct classes several times a day, an obligatory part of the complex is morning exercises. Each workout should last from 5 (in the first phase) to 40 minutes, the number of repetitions of each exercise should be between 5 and 20. Here is a rough set of exercises:
- Lie on your back, the surface should be flat and solid, for convenience, you can put a gym mat on it. Bend the knees, then simultaneously stretch the knee towards the nose and the head towards the knee. Hold the point at the top for a few seconds, go back to the starting point, switch legs;
- A universal exercise - familiar to everyone from the childhood "cat". Get on all fours with your head down. As you inhale, bend your back as far as possible and lift your head. Then, as you exhale, arch your back and lower your head;
- In the middle of the working day, you can take a break for a simple exercise: alternately raise each shoulder as high as possible, while as one shoulder rises, the other lowers;
- Sit in a chair with the back that reaches your shoulder blades (a normal office chair will do), press your back firmly against the back of the chair. Then raise your arms and bend your upper back as much as possible;
- Make several circular motions as wide as possible with outstretched arms. Performed while sitting in a rigid chair or standing;
- Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Clasp your arms behind your shoulder blades. Lean back as much as possible in the thoracic region, resisting with your hands;
- Further, from a standing position, hunched as much as possible, the chin tends to the chest, shoulders to each other. Hold the lowest position for a few seconds. Then do the back movement: straighten your shoulders as much as possible, bringing your shoulder blades together and throwing your head back. The exercise is performed at a slow, steady pace.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can develop very slowly, without causing much concern for a long time, but as a result the patient faces many restrictions on his usual lifestyle and the fact that the standard of living is constantly falling. Therefore, if you experience the first sensations of discomfort and mild pain, you should consult a doctor.