Today we will continue the conversation about osteochondrosis and illuminate symptoms, the causes and necessary minimum treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.Since, according to statistics, this type of osteochondrosis is less common (although it will be more accurate to say that thoracic osteochondrosis due to the slight anatomical mobility of this region at first does not manifest itself), it means that many people do not even know that they have a degenerative disease of the spine.And, therefore, they do not take any actions to prevent its further development.
The latter is not necessary at all, but the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are similar and we need a more thorough differential diagnosis.
And in general, the doctors accurately noticed that osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is similar to a chameleon, disguised as other diseases - a heart attack, acute cholecystitis or appendicitis, pancreatitis, renal colic in MKB, asthma, ulcer ...
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - signs of the disease
- The pain between the blades can be stupid, but sometimes patients complain that between the shoulder blades, as if the stake was driven;
- the emerging pain when raising the upper extremities, inclinations to the side, rotation of the body;
- During exacerbations, even pain may appear with a deep breath, cough, sometimes it is simply impossible to take a complete breath;
- Physical activity and many hours of sitting in a static position (drivers, office workers) enhance symptoms;
- Breast squeezing;
- increased muscle tension of the painful zone (muscle defense);
- stiffness of movements;
- At the advanced stages, abdominal pain, all kinds of disorders of the digestive system, kidneys, and reproductive systems are possible;
- The limbs begin to freeze, even decreases from local temperature, or, on the contrary, a burning sensation appears in the legs.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis can echo with a clinic of diseases of the cardiovascular system (heart pain, giving to the left shoulder blade, numbness of the hands, loss of sensitivity, crawling of goosebumps), respiratory system (chest pain, gastrointestinal tract (nausea, pain in the epigastrium, diarrhea).
You can also suspect the development of intercostal neuralgia.
Since the thoracic spine is large enough, symptoms often depend on which vertebra is most affected by dystrophic changes.
Complications of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Further progression of the disease leads to the occurrence of protrusions, and then hernia of intervertebral discs.
Deformed vertebrae, with unsuccessful movement, can easily squeeze the spin-soot canal, which will lead to a violation of the blood supply to the internal organs, the cardiovascular and endocrine systems may most suffer.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
- In the first place is scoliosis so common among children;
- injuries;
- Pathology of the ribs;
- flat feet longitudinal and transverse;
- age -related changes in the joints, the so -called deposition of salts, including in the spine;
- violation of mineral metabolism, primarily calcium;
- Classes of strength training with the traumation of the vertebrae - blows, falls.
Predisposing factorsIt is excess weight, prolonged sedentary activity, hypodynamia of a modern person as a whole, childhood or, on the contrary, excessive physical activity, nutrition rich in salts and toxins.
Long -term hypothermia, chronic stress has influence.
It is not sad, but even a physiologically leaking pregnancy changes the center of gravity, creates a large load on the spine and is a provoking factor in the development of spine osteochondrosis.
Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis
First of all, an X-ray, then, if necessary (in the presence of hernias, protrusions, slipping vertebrae), an MRI of the spine, for differential diagnosis with diseases of the cardiovascular system of an electrocardiogram.With doubts and additional signs of kidney pathology, ultrasound is prescribed.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Traditionally, modern medicine offers to stop exacerbations of analgesics, muscle relaxants, antispasmodics, non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs, warming ointments, rubbish.
Diuretics are prescribed for faster removal of edema.
To restore cartilaginous fabric and discs, chondroprotectors are offered a long course.
After the acute pain subsides, physiotherapy (electrophoresis, magnet, amplipulse, darsonval, ultrasonic therapy), exercise therapy, massage (classic, point, vacuum, honey), manual therapy that relieve tissue nutrition and their oxygen enriches, acupuncture, acupuncture, acupuncture, acupuncture.Hirudotherapy - treatment with leeches.
True, in recent cases, it is important to find a really knowledgeable specialist, sometimes after communicating with an unprofessional manual, the situation can become many times worse.I think that other amateurs can harm without that problem back.
All these influences relieve spasms, swelling, bring muscles to tone, contributes to the formation of muscle corset.Vacuum massage by banks improves blood microcirculation in affected areas, relieves old voltage.
Devices are used for local elimination of displaced vertebrae.
Prevention and nutrition for osteochondrosis
- It is necessary to significantly reduce the presence of salt, smoked meats, pickles in the diet.
- It is better to abandon alcohol, stimulating drinks.
- The vast majority in the nutrition of vegetables and fruits, greens are recommended.
- It is useful to food rich in vitamin B, these are nuts, legumes, fish and seafood, fermented milk products.
It is highly recommended to think about goodorthopedic mattress, pillow,Convenient workplace with support for the spine.It is important to be interrupted every hour in sitting activity or driving a machine - to pass, or even slightly stretch the muscles with self -massage or small gymnastics.
It is better to wear comfortable, stable shoes.Correctly distribute the severity that you still have to transfer (preferably evenly 2 hands).
During the period of remission, it is important to begin to engage in exercise therapy (complex of physiotherapy exercises).Swimming classes are very shown.
Exercises for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine includes a complex of 12 exercises on the rug, designed for 20 minutes of leisurely execution in a calm atmosphere.
Sharply twisted movements are categorically prohibited, gymnastics must be performed smoothly, fixing at the extreme points for 5-7 seconds.
If the heartbeat increases greatly when performing, you need to slow down a little, give yourself a couple of minutes to relax.In therapeutic gymnastics in breast osteochondrosis, you do not need records and speed, the thoughtfulness and maximum stretching of the chest muscles is more important.
The exercise “Planck” and breathing exercises that can relieve a spasm are also very recommended when it is not possible to breathe, nor to move with exacerbation of breast osteochondrosis.
In a state of remission, hangs on the crossbar, horizontal bar for stretching the spine under the load of its own weight is often recommended.Only, in any case, after the hang, it is impossible to jump off the crossbars, a sharp concussion can greatly injure the vertebrae or infringe on the nerve.