Osteochondrosis of the cervical and lumbar spine is a common occurrence. But thoracic osteochondrosis is much rarer. There are many intervertebral discs in the thoracic region and they are quite thin. Sudden movements and excessive loads can lead to unpleasant consequences. But there are ways to treat the pathology.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - what it is and how it is treated
Doctors believe that thoracic degenerative disc disease is a "chameleon disease" due to the difficulty of diagnosis. In fact, we are talking about damage to the intervertebral discs. Pathology is based on high physical activity and metabolic processes. Here is a list of conditions that cause the disease:
- Scoliosis.
- Bad habits.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Genetic factors.
- Spinal cord injury.
- Excessive physical activity.
- Mental stress.
Keep in mind that low mobility and excessive exercise are equally harmful. In everyday life, pay attention to moderation. Exercise under the supervision of an experienced trainer. This includes spinal injuries - most often patients get them in the gym or in dangerous industries.
Manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis
Many are interested in the question of how it manifests and how to treat osteochondrosis of the chest. You have to deal with the first point first. Here's what's going oninside your body:
- intervertebral discs lose damping properties;
- fibrous ring shoots;
- spinal nerves are damaged;
- inflammation begins;
- pain syndrome occurs;
- ligaments and joints are destroyed.
The main characteristics of the disease
The pathology is explained by the very structure of the human body. A large number of thin discs are localized in the thoracic region - they are most often susceptible to destruction. Due to the protection of the ribs, the vertebrae are inactive, so doctors recommend exercise. Here are some more interesting facts:
- Curvature of the spine can be the cornerstone of osteochondrosis.
- The greatest stress in curvature (kyphosis) lies on the front part of the spine.
- Discs can fall out late in the development of the disease.
- Osteophyte growth often occurs.
- The spinal cord is not always negatively affected.
Signs of pathology
Osteochondrosis of the chest is accompanied by a certain set of symptoms. The severity of these signs varies greatly. The symptoms are:
- pain in the shoulder blades (felt when bending and raising the arms);
- chest pain (stronger on exertion, sharp bending, bending and cooling, as well as at night);
- discomfort during walking (manifested in the ribs);
- inhaled-exhaled pain syndrome;
- a feeling of tightness in the chest.
In addition to exacerbations, additional symptoms may occur. These include tingling and itching of the feet, numbness in certain parts of the body, brittle nails and peeling skin. Gastrointestinal disorders also occur. Some patients complain of pain in the esophagus and throat. All these signs indicate that you need to see a doctor urgently.
Among the complications, dorsago stands out - "lumbago of the chest", a sharp pain that occurred in the chest. Dorsago is most often the result of monotonous work. The type of dorsaga is dorsalgia, a mild pain syndrome that lasts for about two to three weeks. The patient feels short of breath. Unpleasant feelings worsen at night, when walking, bending and deep breathing.
We approach treatment competently
What approach to the treatment of pathology can be called competent? You will not be able to completely get rid of the destructive processes, so you need to focus on preventing further deformations of the spinal structures. Therapists set themselves several tasks:
- Prevention of pathology development.
- Restoration of affected bone structures.
- Neutralization of negative processes that affect the nervous system.
- Improving spinal biomechanics.
Conservative therapy
In the initial stages, the disease can be cured with medication. The progress of the pathology slows down, the pain stops. Here are the most effective groups of drugs:
- NSAIDs;
- diuretics;
- glucocorticosteroids;
- chondroprotectors;
- metabolic stimulants.
Drug-free treatment
Doctors recommend a comprehensive approach to problem solving. Acute pain can be relieved with drug-free therapy. Usually 2-3 sessions are enough for the patient to feel relief. The following techniques are used:
- Acupressure massage (relaxes muscles, relieves tension).
- Acupuncture (restores muscle strength and mobility, treats numbness).
- Manual therapy (normalizes blood circulation, reduces disc load, reduces intervertebral cavities).
- Moxotherapy (normalizes metabolism, activates recovery processes).
- Hirudotherapy (helps to get rid of blood clotting, prevents inflammation, strengthens the nutrition of ligaments and muscles).
Many patients seek help at Tibetan medical centers. Practice shows that competent non-drug treatment saves the spine in 97-99 percent of cases. Conservative drugs quickly get patients back on their feet, but this approach is accompanied by unpleasant side effects. Such therapy should be approached only as a last resort.