Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - drugs, physiotherapy and gymnastics

For modern people, one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which is diagnosed not only in the elderly, is osteochondrosis.It primarily affects the lumbar region, which constantly bears a heavy load, especially when walking, and the neck region, which affects office workers and students.The chest region is less often affected, but it also requires careful attention and timely initiation of treatment.

What is osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

The primary degenerative process occurring in the intervertebral discs (destruction, loss of original functions), against the background of which secondary reactive and compensatory changes in the joints and ligaments gradually develop - this is how official medicine understands the diagnosis of "spine osteochondrosis".The disease is polyfactorial (multifactorial), which first affects the intervertebral disc (formation of fibrosporic tissue between a pair of adjacent vertebrae), then:

• other parts of the spine;
• the entire locomotor system;
• nervous system.

Due to the structural features of the chest region, the symptoms of the disease are similar to the clinical picture of diseases of the heart and respiratory system.Severe pain due to osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occurs in the 2nd stage, intensifies with physical activity, and does not always clearly indicate the back.List of symptoms for each degree of the disease:

1. Pain in the affected area or in the chest area on the left side, similar to heartache: constant or shooting.Spasmodic muscle contractions.
2. Sharp pain can also appear under the shoulder blades, between the ribs (the intercostal nerves are affected), accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the chest.It tends to get stronger when inhaling, turning, and bending the body.They add to the discomfort if they hold an uncomfortable position for a long time.
3. Problems with the sensitivity of the upper chest, abdomen, lower limbs, the appearance of "goosebumps" - due to damage (pinching) of the nerve roots.Formation of intervertebral hernia, limited movement due to kyphosis or scoliosis.
4. Hypoxia, pulmonary congestion, other respiratory disorders.The development of fibrosis, the transition of degenerative-dystrophic processes to the structures surrounding the spine.Clinical picture of remission (attenuation).

With grade 2 osteochondrosis, there is constant pain in the chest region, which indicates the appearance of a crack in the fibrous ring and depression of the nucleus pulposus, which can lead to the rupture of the fibrous tissue and the development of an intervertebral hernia.In the clinical picture of the manifestations of osteochondrosis, in addition to the compression syndrome (from compression of the roots of the spinal cord), reflex symptoms appear:

• muscle tone (muscle spasms leading to hypoxia and severe pain);
• neuro-dystrophic (paraesthesia occurs against the background of constant irritation of the peripheral nerves by spasmodic muscles: numbness, "goosebumps", ringing in the ears, which intensifies when assuming certain body positions);
• vegetative-vascular (muscle spasm of blood vessels, headache, dizziness, disruption of internal organs and blood supply to the brain).

How to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Most experts agree that this disease is closely related to the upright posture and the "functioning conditions of the spine", therefore it is partly natural for humans and primarily requires the minimization of the number of developmental factors.These are:

• physical inactivity (sedentary or sedentary lifestyle);
• posture disorders;
• excessive physical activity, heavy lifting;
• nervous tension, stress;
• increased load on the spine due to wearing high heels, flat feet, during pregnancy;
• bent habit.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine involves getting rid of all of the above points: this will alleviate the patient's condition.In addition, it is important to avoid hypothermia and not stay in an uncomfortable position for a long time.A very important nuance is the question of physical activity: therapeutic exercises should be included in the schedule of a person suffering from osteochondrosis, but at the initial stage - under the supervision of a doctor.In addition, the regimen includes:

• manual therapy (especially in case of curvature, blocked blood flow, if the disease is caused by an injury);
• massage courses;
• swimming;
• physiotherapy;
• acupuncture;
• local and systemic drug effects.

There is no uniform regimen for the treatment of osteochondrosis.In some cases, correct bed rest and diet adjustment are also important, 4th degree thoracic osteochondrosis with complications (spina bifida, hemangioma) may also require surgical intervention.Based on the patient's complaints and the performed diagnostic procedures, a precise therapeutic regimen is drawn up.

home

After receiving the results of the diagnostic tests (X-rays are especially important), the doctor selects the optimal conservative treatment regimen.All procedures are performed in the hospital (physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture) and at home the following is required:

• Use local anesthetics and pain relievers to relieve pain.
• Take products that improve the composition of cartilage tissue.Some doctors recommend taking additional vitamins in osteochondrosis of the chest region (group B).
• Do therapeutic exercises daily.
• Pay attention to your diet.

Drug treatment

Local and systemic use of drugs is necessary both during remission and during exacerbation.Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine involves eliminating symptoms and influencing the degenerative process:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), pain relievers, pain relievers - to relieve inflammation and pain.Ointments, creams, tablets are used.
• Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics - relieves muscle or blood spasm.
• Chondroprotectors - glucosamine or chondroitin preparations, restore cartilage tissue.

The choice of drugs of any group, especially for long-term treatment, should be made with a doctor.The specialist will also tell you how much to use and whether you need to repeat the course.

Food

Correcting your diet also provides significant support for bone, cartilage and muscle tissue: remove salt, sugar (reduce the amount to a minimum) and carbonated drinks.It is not advisable to exaggerate spices, spicy and fatty foods, carefully monitor your weight, do not overeat, and monitor your water balance.Strong coffee, alcohol and fried foods are prohibited.For the diet:

• it must be based on protein products (milk, lean meat and fish, cottage cheese);
• has a source of chondroitin (jelly, aspic, jellied meat);
• consists of cooked or fried foods;
• it is characterized by a sufficient amount of fresh vegetables and cereals.

Exercises

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis requires regular exercise therapy aimed at increasing the mobility of intervertebral joints and covertebral joints.Its functions include reducing pain, stiffness of the spine, strengthening of the ligaments, and improving ventilation of the lungs.Simple home exercises:

• Sit on a chair while inhaling, put your hands behind your head.As you exhale, lean back, resting your shoulder blades on the back of the chair.With a new breath, return to the starting position.Do these steps 5 times.
• Get on all fours, exhale and arch your back.Count to 5, breathe evenly, and return to the starting position.Repeat 10 times.
• Exhale while lying on your stomach, lift your legs and lift your chest off the floor, arching your back.Hands along the body.Count to 5, go down.Do the exercise 10 times.

Massage

The indirect and reflex effect of the massage on muscle fibers and ligaments has a beneficial effect on all parts of the spine, helps relieve pain, improves lymph flow, blood circulation and muscle tone.Massage is prescribed in the subacute or chronic stage of the disease, the technique is selected according to the patient's condition and the presence of additional diseases.Classic scheme:

1. The patient assumes a horizontal position lying on his stomach.Gently stroke the chest area from the bottom up (from the lower edge of the shoulder blade to the neck) Duration - 1 minute.
2. The upper zone (shoulder blades) is treated with compression and kneading movements (another minute).
3. On the shoulder girdle (trapezius muscles), perform stroking (8 repetitions), squeezing and rubbing (5 times each).
4. The neck is caressed for one minute, then moved again to the chest region in the indicated order (steps 1-2).
5. From the occipital bone downwards, the spine is rubbed (parallel lines are closely spaced).The duration of the section is 1 minute.
6. After that, blows are performed on the spine, kneading movements and blows again (another 2-3 minutes).

The massage of the chest, neck and spine always ends with caressing (soothing) movements.Order of recommended techniques: squeezing, rubbing, caressing.If the patient's pain hardly bothers him, the number of kneading movements can be increased, and the duration of the soothing movements can be reduced.The duration of the sessions is 10 minutes;for the last ones (the course consists of 7-10 procedures) it is advisable to use rubbing movements as a basis.

During the exacerbation

Stress, physical overload, hypothermia, heavy lifting - these factors can turn the chronic form of the disease into an acute one.Its main symptoms are dizziness, migraines, chest pain and breathing problems.Treatment includes:

• relief of symptoms with local pain relievers and pain relievers for internal use;
• bed rest;
• wearing a corset to fix the vertebrae (if there is a hernia).

If the exacerbation is severe, an ambulance should be called and hospitalized, where the doctor will monitor the patient's condition and select the appropriate drugs.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture (acupuncture) is the leader among non-traditional methods of treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system and beyond.It is based on the effect of fine needles on active points, each of which is a complex formation of choroid plexuses, nerve endings and connective tissue.Acupuncture helps:

• they stimulate the synthesis of endogenous (internal) opiates - endorphins and enkephalins - which have an analgesic effect: this leads to the elimination of pain;
• stimulates the production of cortisol in the adrenal glands, which has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• normalizes blood circulation;
• eliminates swelling of spinal nerves;
• improves cartilage tissue regeneration;
• relieves spasm of the paravertebral muscles.

Acupuncture will only be effective if you consult a qualified specialist: then it will have no side effects, you will achieve quick results - relief will occur after the 1st session.The recommended course is 10 procedures.Since the doctor often conducts electricity through the needles, there may be slight discomfort during the process, and reddish dots remain after the needles are removed.

Manual therapy

Based on the data obtained from the X-rays, the doctor may recommend starting the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine by visiting a chiropractor.The task before him is to restore the functional state of the blood circulation, the ligament apparatus and the spinal column.Additional manual therapy sessions added to the main regimen:

• helps reduce the severity of pain;
• eliminates muscle spasms;
• slows down the rate of disease development;
• they stimulate the regenerative properties of tissue cells.

In modern medicine, the new manual technique – postisometric muscle relaxation (PIR) – has become particularly popular for years.It is based on soft and gentle stretching, stimulating the simultaneous contraction of the entire muscle, after which it is completely relaxed.The technique is suitable for situations where, due to the uneven contraction of the muscle tissue, the function of the joint surrounded by it is disturbed, which leads to limited movement.

During pregnancy

Heavy load on the spine, fluctuations in hormones, water and electrolyte balance, especially from the 2nd trimester, lead to exacerbation or occurrence of osteochondrosis in pregnant women.The treatment regimen is selected exclusively by the doctor;must include:

• wearing a corset to support the back;
• choosing comfortable shoes (reduces the load on the spine);
• local use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• carrying out therapeutic exercises.

Folk remedies

In addition to the main treatment regimen, you can add a number of non-traditional methods for local and systemic effects on osteochondrosis.Most of them are allowed in both acute and chronic stages, but remember that any remedy can cause side effects in connection with the untranslatability of individual products.Effective options:

• Take 2 hot peppers, cut them with the seeds, mix them with a glass of vegetable oil.Infuse in a glass container for 5 days (in a dark place).Apply to the affected area by rubbing gently, up to twice a day, without covering anything.This ointment should not be used on skin with wounds or abrasions.It is not used for long-term treatment - only in case of severe pain.
• Boil several large peeled potatoes and mash them.You can add a little butter.Spread this mass on gauze folded three times and apply it to the affected area.Cover this area with a woolen scarf.The poultice is kept until it cools down, the procedure is repeated every night.The treatment lasts for 3 weeks.

Celery root

To relieve unpleasant symptoms (pain caused by muscle spasms), you can use a course of celery-based remedies.The easiest way is to grate the peeled fresh root and press it through a cheesecloth or press the juice through a juicer.Drink 1 tbsp.l.before meals 3 times a day.Duration of treatment - 3 weeks.Alternative solution: pour 2 tbsp.l.the resulting juice with a glass of boiling water, let it stand for 2 hours.Drink 1 tbsp.l.also before meals, up to 4 times a day.The treatment lasts for one month.

sunflower root

Decoctions and tinctures made from sunflower root have a good effect on pain in any lesion of the musculoskeletal system.It can be used both locally and internally;It will also be useful for the gallbladder and nervous system.Simple recipes:

• Crush the roots, pour 200 g of the resulting powder into 1.5 liters of cold water.After boiling, take it off the heat, let it stand for 3 hours, wrapping the container in a towel.Use it as a poultice, 1-2 times a day, until it cools down.The duration of the treatment is 3 weeks.
• Take 2 liters of water for 100 g of crushed sunflower root and let it boil for 10 minutes.Wait for the broth to cool.Drink half a glass before meals 3-4 times a day, warm before consumption.The treatment process lasts 3 weeks.

Homemade ointment

The local effects on the musculoskeletal system are primarily rubbing and home-made ointments.They are based on honey and vegetable oils;alcohol or vodka is added to some compositions.All local treatment products should be applied to the skin 1-2 times a day in small amounts without damage.The most effective recipe:

1. Mix camphor with mustard in a 1:1 ratio.
2. For 100 g of the resulting mixture, take 100 ml of alcohol and 100 g of egg white (raw, beaten).
3. Store the ointment in the refrigerator for 2 weeks, rub the affected areas overnight (remove a small amount beforehand to warm to room temperature), then cover your back with gauze and a woolen chin.The treatment lasts for 2 weeks.