Chest osteochondrosis is a difficult disease to diagnose. It is less common than cervical and lumbosacral spinal lesions because the thoracic vertebrae are inactive. Due to the proximity of important internal organs to the spine, it is not always possible to make an accurate diagnosis immediately: according to symptoms, serious heart disease, large vessels, lungs are close to osteochondrosis - and vice versa: osteochondrosis canto appear. self similar to pulmonary or cardiac symptoms.
The pain may be girdle, radiation (gives) to the shoulders, under the shoulder blades in the form of lumbago, intensified by deep breathing. Possible painful pain in the chest region, manifested by an uncomfortable posture, tilt of the body. The pain in the left side of the chest resembles a heart attack, and in the right hypochondrium - cholecystitis. The paravertebral muscles are usually tense, there are frequent complaints of numbness, crawling in the chest, abdomen and arms.
The spinal canal in the thoracic region is quite narrow, therefore, even small hernias or extensions formed in osteochondrosis can compress the spinal cord. All this disrupts the quality of life, affects performance, the emotional sphere.
Treatment of breast osteochondrosis should be timely and competent to prevent the progression of the disease and the development of complications. You should know that it is impossible to completely cure chest osteochondrosis. But it is quite possible to make sure that the disease gives a person a minimum of problems. It is important to change your lifestyle, introduce new habits, possible physical activity, follow treatment recommendations. And then osteochondrosis will not be felt.
Risk factors for the development of breast osteochondrosis
- Sedentary lifestyle. Osteochondrosis affects people with sedentary work, forced body posture in the workplace, for example, at a computer desk, a sewing machine, people who do not know physical activity. The muscles that support the spine are hypotrophied and the static load on it increases.
- Overweight. The higher the weight, the higher the load on each vertebra.
- Smoking. This bad habit leads to disruption of blood supply to tissues, including vertebrates.
- Excessive physical activity, incorrectly dosed. This includes lifting and holding weights frequently, jumping and running.
- Attitude disorders, scoliosis. These diseases of the spine lead to degenerative changes in the discs, muscle tension.
Treatment of chest osteochondrosis
- Drug therapy:
- anti-inflammatory drugs - they relieve pain and swelling of soft tissues. Topical forms in the form of gels, ointments, creams can be beneficial for intercostal neuralgia;
- anesthetics - injected paravertebrally to block pain and relieve muscle spasm;
- glucocorticosteroids - these hormonal drugs are used in the form of paravertebral blocks when other drugs are ineffective;
- muscle relaxants - relieve painful muscle spasms;
- antidepressants - help relieve the psycho-emotional stress inherent in osteochondrosis;
- B vitamins - nourish nerve formations, thus fighting neurological disorders. In the treatment of osteochondrosis, preparations containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are used;
- Chondroprotectors - are able to somewhat suspend the process of destruction of intervertebral discs, improve bone metabolism. It is better to inject them directly into the paravertebral tissues, because oral medications should be taken for a long time and in high doses.
- Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy methods act locally in the focus of the disease - relieve pain, spasms, improve blood circulation, tissue nutrition. In case of osteochondrosis of the chest, the doctor may prescribe magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, UHF, laser therapy.
- Massage. Massage of the collar area, chest region, hands. In case of deterioration, it is recommended to start the massage not from the first day and initially to be performed sparingly. It is necessary to achieve relaxation of spasmodic muscles. During the period when there is no pain, the massage technique becomes different - the techniques are more intense. In addition to the usual, you can perform point effects. In the case of osteochondrosis of the chest, manual massage and vacuum, vibrating massage are useful. These types can be combined or alternated.
- Physiotherapy. Performing special therapeutic exercises on a daily basis will help prevent or reduce the frequency of exacerbations of breast osteochondrosis. For example, you can do the following exercises:
- while sitting in a chair, place your hands behind your head and inhale, then join the edges of your shoulders, touching the back of the chair (pull out). Repeat 10-15 times;
- climb on all fours and slowly bend your back, like a cat, stay in this position for a few seconds. Then bend your back up and also stay in this position. Repeat 15-20 times;
- in the supine position, raise your head and straight arms lying along your body upwards, hold for a few seconds, return to the starting position. Repeat 7-10 times;
- lying on your back, lift your legs straight up to a height of 20-30 cm, hold for 15-20 seconds. Repeat 10 times;
- Spinal discharge. It is performed on a separate table, massage bed with rollers. Underwater retreat is also possible. The soft tissues stretch, at the same time the intervertebral discs are discharged.
- Post-isometric relaxation. It is performed by a massage therapist or a rehabilitation therapist who is familiar with this technique. The method allows you to relax the spasmodic muscles of the back.
- Acupuncture. Allows you to relieve muscle spasm and reduce pain.
- Hirudotherapy. With the help of biologically active substances secreted by caterpillars, blood flow is improved, pain syndrome is reduced and soft tissue inflammation is stopped.
What can you do yourself to prevent and treat osteochondrosis of the chest
- Try to avoid static poses. If you are sitting at a computer or work machine, take a break from the heat every hour and a half. Lie down, do breathing exercises, bend your head forward, back, sideways, arm swings, torso flexion. The work chair should have a comfortable back that follows the curves of the spine. You can place a special orthopedic pillow on it. The seat should be firm, and the height of the chair should be equal to the length of the lower leg. There is demand for the table - the table is normally at the level of the bent arm elbow.
- It is advisable to sleep on an orthopedic mattress in order to respect the natural curves of the spine.
- It is not recommended to carry excess weight, but if the need arises, sit down or kneel to lift the weight off the floor. Hold the dress with your back straight, distributing it evenly on both hands.
- With osteochondrosis, it is necessary to maintain body weight, eat less fried, fatty foods, exclude carbonated beverages and alcohol.
- Sports like swimming and skiing are very beneficial. Exercise regularly.
The optimal course of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis should include several complementary methods. The treatment program is formed individually. It is important to relieve pain, improve tissue nutrition, relieve intervertebral discs, relax spasmodic muscles, and strengthen muscle corset. For these purposes, therapy should be performed repeatedly, and at least twice a year, supplemented with daily therapeutic exercises, systematic swimming, and spa treatment.
Which doctor to contact
If symptoms of breast osteochondrosis appear, you should consult a neurologist. Usually, an examination by a neurosurgeon is prescribed additionally, if necessary - a therapist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, pulmonologist to rule out concomitant diseases. Physical methods are important in treating the disease, so it will be helpful to consult a nutritionist, physiotherapy specialist, physiotherapist and massage therapist.