Osteochondrosis is the most common, well-studied, but treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This is not just back pain and many worries: over time and if left 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 accept this seemingly fearless disease at the first signs.
Symptoms
Osteochondrosis is often undiagnosed for a long time. Osteochondrosis syndromes may not show themselves directly to the spine, disguising themselves as other diseases. And the patient "suffocates" the pain syndrome with painkillers, blames everything on the migraine - at best and at worst - is treated with a completely different disease for years without seeing any improvement.
In the early stages of the disease, osteochondrosis manifests itself only with minor pain and discomfort after strenuous physical activity or sitting at a table in an uncomfortable position. The disease develops over the years, gradually all the symptoms worsen. The characteristic features of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are:
- numbness and tingling in the limbs. Especially after staying in one position or lying down for a long time. This is one of the first signs of a spinal problem. After rubbing, numbness and discomfort pass quickly and do not cause serious discomfort;
- cold, gas bumps on the skin of the hands, often - the hands or individual fingers, less - the affected area;
- Painful sensations often have a "wrong" localization. The pain may be in the affected area of the spine, or it may radiate to the chest area, similar to pain in heart disease. Therefore, when osteochondrosis is diagnosed when there is pain in the heart area, an ECG will be a mandatory task - to rule out ischemic disease. In addition, pain is often given to the scapula (intercostal neuralgia) or the left hand area;
- painful sensations often intensify at night;
- at the same time, the patient often suffers from migraine-like headaches. It is possible to cover both the side of the head and the whole head;
- well-being, a general decrease in mood;
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is rarely accompanied by compression of the spinal cord. But if this happens, the symptoms become more pronounced: the pain is intensified, accompanied by serious disturbances in the work of internal organs.
All the symptoms of osteochondrosis are the result of compression of the nerve roots running along the spine. Symptoms can vary greatly depending on the area and degree of compression, so at the first suspicion of osteochondrosis, it is important to perform instrumental studies and make a correct diagnosis.
Osteochondrosis of the chest rarely occurs spontaneously - the chest region is immobile and less stressful, in most cases the disease is associated with cervical osteochondrosis.
Methods of treatment of osteochondrosis
Like all degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system, osteochondrosis is very difficult and long-term treatment - there is no simple and fast treatment. You have to be ready for that. Degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs cannot be reversed. The ideal choice is to stop the development of osteochondrosis at an early stage, when there are no restrictions on the patient's lifestyle. In the earliest stages, it is enough to slightly adjust the patient's lifestyle: increase physical activity, complete the diet. However, it is extremely rare to make a diagnosis at the beginning of pathological changes.
The traditional therapy complex for osteochondrosis includes:
- Drug treatment. . . It consists of several components:
- Patients with severe pain syndrome are prescribed painkillers. Often these are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Less commonly used steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs, opiates and opioids. They are more powerful, but have many limitations in their use;
- a mandatory part of treatment is to take supplements and vitamins that strengthen the bone system;
- muscle relaxants help relieve muscle tension. However, without continuous training in medical gymnastics, it should be noted that the adoption of muscle carriers is quite the opposite;
- The use of chondroprotectors helps to accelerate the recovery process in the affected area, although the attitude of specialists to such drugs is very ambiguous.
- Drug-free treatmentIt is very important for the successful treatment of osteochondrosis.
- First of all, attention should be paid to the systematic and correct implementation of therapeutic gymnastics complex. Sports therapy is aimed at strengthening the muscular corset around the spine, accelerates local blood circulation and significantly improves the patient's condition with regular exercise;
- Physiotherapy treatments help reduce muscle pain and tension. They act in the same way as anti-inflammatory painkillers, but have fewer side effects;
- masotherapy. Both traditional therapeutic massage and many alternative methods are used, the main selection criteria are the professionalism of a specialist and consultation with the attending physician;
- manual treatment;
- traction in a special simulator (traction therapy). Gentle pulling of the spine allows to relieve muscle tension and reduce the symptoms caused by compression of nerve roots;
- you also need to change the approach to your diet, you need to balance it more.
Therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis of the chest
You can do medical gymnastics both in the hospital and in a special room at home. The more frequent and regular the sessions, the higher the effectiveness. It is recommended to conduct classes several times a day, the mandatory part of the complex is morning exercises. Each exercise should last from 5 (in the first stage) to 40 minutes, and 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, you can lay the gym for comfort. Bend your knees, then at the same time extend your knees to your nose and your head to your knees. Hold for a few seconds at the top point, return to the starting point, change your foot;
- A universal exercise - familiar to everyone from childhood "cat". Stand on all fours with your head down. As you breathe in, bend your back as much as possible and raise your head. Then, as you breathe in, bend your back and lower your head;
- In the middle of the workday, you can take a break for a simple workout: take turns lifting each shoulder as high as possible, with one shoulder raised and the other lowered;
- Sit in a chair that reaches your back shoulder blades (will make an ordinary office chair), press your back firmly to the back of the chair. Then raise your arms and bend your back as much as possible;
- Make several circular movements as wide as possible with outstretched arms. It is performed while sitting in a flat hard chair or standing;
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Tie your arms under your shoulder blades to the back. Bend back as much as possible in the chest area, resisting yourself with your hands;
- Also, in a standing position, as far as possible, the chin, chest and shoulders are inclined to each other. Hold at the lowest position for a few seconds. Then do a back movement: straighten your shoulders as much as possible, bring your shoulder blades together, and throw your head back. Training is performed at a slow and smooth pace.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can develop very slowly, does not cause much discomfort for a long time, but as a result, the patient faces many limitations associated with a normal lifestyle and a constant decline in living standards. Therefore, if you experience the first discomfort and mild pain, you should consult a doctor.