Compared with cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis, thoracic osteochondrosis is very rare.
This is related to the structure of the thoracic cavity: it has more intervertebral discs than the sum of the cervical and lumbar spine, and the intervertebral discs are smaller and thinner. The mobility of this part is usually low, and part of the load is borne by the ribs and sternum.
Thoracic osteochondrosis can confuse symptoms with, for example, a heart attack. The reason is the specificity of the disease.
Reason
To a large extent, the development of osteoporosis is caused by lack of motivation-insufficient muscle load, which leads to lack of training for muscle corsets, weakened function and increased load on ligaments and intervertebral discs.
The following conditions can also trigger the onset of osteochondrosis:
- The posture and lateral curvature of the spine is incorrect;
- Bad habits;
- Nerve and physical strain, stress;
- Wearing high heels, the back and spine will be overloaded during pregnancy and flat feet;
- Back injury;
- Fluid dynamics;
- Heredity;
- Manual labor.
A sedentary lifestyle and physical activity also severely affect the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine, which increases the possibility of injury.
What is the specificity of the thoracic spine?
Everyone knows that the chest area is functionally ineffective, especially when compared to the neck. For example, compared to the lumbar spine, his burden is not very large. For this reason, the onset of chest area disease with any symptoms rarely occurs in the early stages of development.
The low mobility of the thoracic spine is related to its anatomical features-the connection of the vertebrae to the ribs and sternum makes it possible to create a strong structure that is sufficiently mobile and not vulnerable to injuries and external influences.
The load of this department is relatively small, which causes any problems in this department (for example, vertebral displacement, intervertebral hernia, intervertebral disc herniation) is very rare, which has been confirmed by statistics. However, at the same time, their appearance cannot be said to be extraordinary. For example, poor posture and scoliosis may be some predisposing factors for spinal diseases.
At the same time, the symptoms of this type of disease appear late and are a typical feature of osteochondrosis-usually representing nerve root compression. In rare cases, the spinal cord itself is compressed or damaged due to insufficient blood supply. The veins and arteries may also become narrow due to compression.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
The symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis can be completely different, similar to the manifestations of other visceral diseases. Usually thoracic chondropathy is mistaken for coronary heart disease, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer, or even myocardial infarction and pneumonia. For this reason, this disease is called "chameleon".Pain related symptoms:
Nervous system symptoms:
- Numbness or "goose skin swelling" in the legs, upper chest and abdomen (depending on the affected intervertebral disc);
- The reflex tension of the chest or upper back muscles;
- In particularly advanced cases, the function of pelvic organs may be damaged, thereby reducing male performance.
Because of this pain, it may sometimes be misdiagnosed. Pain on the right side of the chest below the ribs may be confused with inflammation of the gallbladder, and pain on the left side of the chest may be confused with a heart attack. It is wrong to mistake the pain in the corresponding area of the abdominal cavity as a manifestation of gastric ulcer or gastritis.
Dorsago
Dorsago is one of the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis, manifested as acute pain. Usually, this symptom occurs in people who sit in a posture or uncomfortable position for a long time and perform monotonous work monotonously.
You may experience spinal pain, muscle tension and difficulty breathing in the thoracic region. Intercostal neuralgia may occur.
Backache
The acceleration period will last 2-3 weeks. In this case, the painful feeling gradually increases. The affected spine has mild pain. Usually, the pain is particularly obvious with deep breathing and bending forward and backward to the sides.
The nature of back pain can be very different. The pain can be pulled, burning, sore, cut, and can occur under the blades of the legs, arms, buttocks, and shoulders. In terms of localization, the pain is the same. They can appear below, above, in the middle, right and left between the shoulder blades.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
When developing a treatment plan to determine how to treat chest osteochondrosis, diagnostic data based on X-ray examinations can be helpful. This examination gives a clear idea of how to treat sternal osteochondrosis, because the presence of X-ray readings indicating vertebral body growth and changes in intervertebral distance (lower height) are typical symptoms of the disease.
The treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis depends on the stage of the disease, and the main reduction is conservative treatment. Surgery for spinal hernia is extremely rare.
Drugs
Medication is based on the following principles:
- Use a special medicine that allows you to keep fluid in the disc.
- Vitamins. In most cases, a complete vitamin complex or preparation of vitamin B group elements will be prescribed
- Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants can reduce the spasm of the muscles around the spine.
- Painkiller. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics based on drug combinations.
- Cartilage protector. It is essential to catalyze the process of repairing damaged cartilage.
After eliminating the acute event, massage the muscles of the back and lower limbs. If functional obstruction occurs, manual treatment should be performed at 1-3 degrees of osteochondrosis. It includes various options to produce soft and rough effects on the back muscles.
Gymnastics for chest rickets
If it is thoracic osteochondrosis, prescribe treatment exercises for the patient, the main purpose of which is to increase the mobility of the ribs and intervertebral joints. Exercise therapy (regular and correct exercise) can eliminate very strong muscle cramps. Moderate physical exercise will help relieve the stiffness of the spine, which occurs when muscle corsets appear.
The daily lessons conducted under the guidance of experienced coaches have a beneficial effect on the whole body, especially the bronchopulmonary system. The ventilation of the patients’ lungs has improved and they can breathe and exhale deeply without pain.
Massage
Massage can not only reduce the severity of disease symptoms, but also help people recover. Effort is a positive effect of other elements of complex therapy.
According to the clinical manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis, the existence of chronic diseases and contraindications, a separate prescription is prescribed.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is used to eliminate muscle hypertonicity and spasm, and restore back mobility. Due to manual treatment, blood vessels can be released, nutrition can be improved and the intervertebral disc tissue can be supplied with oxygen.
Correct resting and sleeping posture
In order to prevent osteochondrosis and during treatment, it is necessary to organize the correct resting and sleeping posture. It's best to sleep on a flat and hard bed, but don't be fanatical. If the bed does not meet the requirements, it is recommended not to sleep on the floor to avoid catching a cold. In order to quickly restore the spine to its normal shape, this measure is necessary.
However, there may be quite strong pain at first, and this sensation continues until the vertebrae are in their physiological position. To relieve pain and discomfort, you can place a roller under the affected area.
Practice
The most effective treatment for muscle spasms is physical therapy. Carefully selected exercises can relax the body and mind, while strengthening and training the back muscles. As a result, the thoracic spine is stabilized and the strangulated spinal nerves are released.
A set of exercises for sternal osteochondrosis is as follows:
- Starting position-When inhaling, stand up straight with your legs together and arms down. Straighten your arms-exhale, then bend back-take a deep breath. Lower your arms, bend forward, bend backward, lower your shoulders and head-exhale. Perform 8 to 10 repetitions.
- Starting position-sitting on a chair. Slowly place your hands behind your head-inhale, bend back 5 times, lean your shoulder blade against the back of the chair-exhale.
- Starting position-fully bend the knees and bend backwards, hold this way for 3 seconds, keep your head straight 3 times. Perform 5 to 7 repetitions.
- Starting position-it is comfortable to lie on your stomach and put your hands on the floor. At the same time, bend back hard and try to tear the body off the floor. Perform 5-8 repetitions.
- Starting position-lying on the abdomen, arms stretched along the body. Bend your chest and try to raise your head and legs as much as possible. Perform 5-8 repetitions.
If you follow all doctors’ prescriptions, slowly but surely you can achieve significant improvement.
Prevention
The health of the thoracic spine and other parts of the spine may be harmed by the following:
- Long static load (sitting in front of TV, computer);
- Weightlifting;
- Lazy habits;
- Hypothermia and frequent colds.
Office workers sitting in the workplace due to service obligations need to change their body posture more frequently, get up and do physical exercises. Even simple stretching is beneficial.