Osteochondrosis is one of the most common, well-studied, but difficult to treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This is not only back pain and a lot of discomfort: over time and if untreated, osteochondrosis can lead to the development of serious deformities and significantly reduce the patient's standard of living. Therefore, it is very serious to take this seemingly fearless disease even at the first signs.
Symptoms
Osteochondrosis very often remains undiagnosed for a long time. Syndromes of osteochondrosis may not even directly point to the spine, disguising themselves as other diseases. And the patient "suppresses" the pain syndrome with painkillers, blaming everything on a migraine - at best, and at worst - he is being treated for a completely different disease, without seeing any improvement for years.
At the initial stage of the development of the disease, osteochondrosis manifests itself only with minor 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 the symptoms intensify. The characteristics characteristic of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region include:
- numbness and tingling in the limbs. Especially after a long stay in one position or sleep. 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, goose bumps on the skin in the area of the hands, often - of the hands or individual fingers, less often - in the affected area of the back;
- painful sensations often have "wrong" localization. Pain can occur both in the area of the affected area of the spine, and radiate (give) to the chest area, resembling 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. Also, pain is often given to the area of the scapula (intercostal neuralgia) or the left hand;
- painful sensations often intensify at night;
- also the patient is often tormented by headaches resembling migraines. 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: the pain sensations become strong, accompanied by serious disturbances in the work of internal organs.
All the symptoms of osteochondrosis are a consequence of the compression of the nerve roots passing through the spinal column. Depending on the area and the degree of compression, the symptoms can vary very much, 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 is less stressed, most often this disease is combined with cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis treatment methods
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 this. It is impossible to reverse 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. At the earliest stages, it is enough just to slightly adjust the patient's lifestyle: to increase physical activity, to make the diet complete. But it is extremely rare to make a diagnosis at the very beginning of the development of pathological changes.
The traditional complex of therapy for osteochondrosis includes:
- Drug therapy. . . It consists of several components:
- with severe pain syndrome, the patient is prescribed pain relievers. 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 the treatment is taking supplements and vitamins that strengthen the bone system;
- muscle relaxants help relieve muscle tension. But it should be said that without constant exercise in medical gymnastics, the intake of muscle relaxants is strictly contraindicated;
- taking chondoprotectors helps to speed up the recovery processes in the affected area, although the attitude of specialists to such drugs is very ambiguous.
- Drug-free treatmentis much more important for the successful treatment of osteochondrosis.
- first of all, one should concentrate on the systematic and correct implementation of the complex of remedial gymnastics. Exercise therapy is aimed at strengthening the muscle corset around the spinal column, accelerates local blood circulation and, with regular exercise, can significantly improve the patient's condition;
- Physiotherapy treatments help relieve muscle pain and tension. They act in the same way as anti-inflammatory pain relievers, but have much fewer contraindications;
- massotherapy. 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. Gentle traction of the spinal column allows you to relieve muscle tension and reduce symptoms caused by 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 higher the effectiveness will be. It is advisable 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 stage) to 40 minutes, the number of repetitions of each exercise should be from 5 to 20. Here is an approximate set of exercises:
- Lie on your back, the surface should be flat and firm, for convenience, you can lay a gym mat. Bend your knees, then simultaneously stretch your knee towards your nose and head towards your knee. Hold at the top point for a few seconds, return to the starting point, change your leg;
- A universal exercise - familiar to everyone from childhood "cat". Get on all fours with your head down. As you inhale, bend in your back as much as possible and raise 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 lift each shoulder as high as possible, while while one shoulder rises, the other goes down;
- Sit on a chair with the back reaching your shoulder blades (a regular office chair will do), press your back firmly against the back of the chair. Then raise your arms and bend your upper back back as much as possible;
- Make several circular movements as wide as possible with outstretched arms. Performed while sitting on a straight hard chair or standing;
- Stand up straight with feet shoulder-width apart. Clasp your arms in the back under the shoulder blades. Bend back as much as possible in the thoracic region, resisting yourself with your hands;
- Also, from a standing position, bend straight as much as possible, chin tends to chest, shoulders - to each other. Hold in the lowest position for a few seconds. Then make 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 and smooth pace.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can develop very slowly, for a long time without causing much concern, but in the end the patient is faced with many restrictions on the usual way of life 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.