Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease in which changes or abnormalities in the bone tissue occur that destroy the plates and ligaments in the chest area. Sedentary work, a sedentary lifestyle, congestion of the spine, squatting, poor posture - all of these factors are likely to lead to the development of the disease.
Chest osteochondrosis is less common than similar disorders of the cervical or lumbar spine. This is due to the lower mobility of bones and joints in this area.
Because the chest is convex, the load on the bones and joints is unevenly distributed. The proliferation of processes in the bones often begins in the more exposed part, the front wall of the ward.
However, it is impossible to start the disease or even ignore it, as the negative consequences of further development of osteochondrosis can significantly affect a person’s lifestyle. Treatment of the disease should only be prescribed by a doctor.
Diagnosis of the disease
Only a specialist can diagnose osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, determine the extent of development, and prescribe treatment for the patient. But there are a number of symptoms by which one can assume the presence of the disease itself. May:
- pain between the shoulder blades and on the left side of the chest;
- pain in the stomach and heart;
- increased pain during deep inhalation;
- numbness in the chest.
Because these symptoms can be caused by other diseases, the physician must make a comprehensive diagnosis to confirm the hypotheses surrounding the diagnosis. The complex of hospital studies usually includes:
- Chest X-ray;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- electrocardiography, etc.
Only by excluding all possible concomitant diseases can the doctor make a definitive diagnosis - osteochondrosis. If any other abnormalities are found in your body during the tests, this should be taken into account when deciding to treat your chest osteochondrosis so as not to make it worse.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment of diseases of the thoracic spine should be aimed primarily at reducing chest pain. Therefore, the process of eliminating the problem most often involves taking medications, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercises to relieve pressure on the plates. Self-treatment of chest osteochondrosis is not recommended without consulting a specialist.
If osteochondrosis worsens and acute back pain occurs, the patient should only be treated after the pain has subsided. In this case, bed rest is recommended until the patient's condition is relieved. In addition, your doctor may prescribe a number of other procedures that may increase the effect of your medication and provide effective treatment:
- stretching the plates of the spine;
- vacuum therapy;
- acupuncture;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetopuncture;
- inductometry, etc.
All of these procedures cannot completely cure the patient, but will naturally have a positive effect on treating the disease.
Spinal stretching is used when the disease gets worse and helps relieve pain by relieving the load on the cartilage discs. This procedure should only be performed under the supervision and recommendations of a physician.
Acupuncture, a method that has recently become increasingly popular in the treatment of osteochondrosis, helps relieve chest pain as well as normalize the immune system.
In extremely rare cases of advanced disease, surgery may be required. The patient decides on the operation together with the doctor if the exercise and manual therapy cannot relieve the condition of the thoracic spine.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic gymnastics involves a series of exercises with the main goal of strengthening the muscle ligament in the chest region. The types of exercises have been developed by the complex and are available to anyone who has prescribed physiotherapy exercises to solve the problem of chest osteochondrosis.
It is a mistake to assume that gymnastics is harmless, so you can also prescribe it. Exercises can only be started if the cause of the disease is clear and treatment for osteochondrosis is started. But proper and specially designed exercise can significantly affect the healing process.
Drug treatment
Medication for the disease involves taking anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. In addition, your doctor will need to prescribe medications that restore cartilage and a complex of vitamins designed to strengthen bones and ligaments. However, they can only be used in combination with other methods to eliminate the problem.
An innovative way to treat osteochondrosis is an anti-inflammatory patch that helps solve many spinal problems. Applying to the chest area allows you to reduce pain, relieve inflammation and improve blood circulation in certain parts of the spine.
Manual therapy
The most effective treatment for a disease such as osteochondrosis is the use of manual therapy. The measures of the specialist help to activate and increase the oxygen supply to the tissues of the intervertebral plates, as well as to help the blood vessels work and improve the lymph flow. This allows the chest region to be restored to normal function, the osteochondrosis to stop, and the patient to recover.
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is possible through a series of measures and interventions.
Prevention of chest osteochondrosis
No matter how timely and effective the treatment of the disease, it is in any case easier to participate in prevention. After all, it is better to prevent osteochondrosis than to spend time, effort and money curing the disease.
The preventive measures recommended by doctors are as follows:
- strengthening the muscles of the spine and preventing overload;
- avoidance of hypothermia;
- if you get wet in the rain or sweat in the gym, you should immediately change into wet clothing and wear only dry clothing;
- strengthening gymnastics during sedentary work;
- regular back massage course (at least once a year).
The strong corset on the chest spine guarantees good health and comfortable mobility for many years to come. Preventing any disease of the musculoskeletal system is much easier and less time consuming than treating subsequent violations. Do not ignore the advice of doctors, it is better to lead an active lifestyle. Then your health will always be strong.