Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis: how is the spine treated?

7 November 2020

A sedentary lifestyle, constant participation in the computer, lack of physical activity is now more common. All these and many other factors, of course, affect the human body, which leads to a number of changes or diseases.

One of these diseases is osteochondrosis. Try to understand what thoracic osteochondrosis is, what types it has and how to deal with it.

What is osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosisis a disease that affects the intervertebral discs and other tissues of the spine. Simply put, the vertebrae are compressed, and thus the intervertebral discs are compressed.

Important! If not treated in time, the vertebrae become less elastic and the spinal cord begins to squeeze the nerve endings. Swelling and severe pain appear at this stage.

There are four types of osteochondrosis, each named after a problem part of the spine:

cervical;
waist;
chest;
collaboration.

Patients often do not know which specialist to consult in the treatment of osteochondrosis.The therapist should refer the patient to a neurologist to clarify the diagnosis. If the job is difficult, you may need the help of a vertebrologist who specializes in spinal diseases.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine or thoracic chondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the spine (or simply chondrosis) is a degenerative-dystrophic disease caused by changes in the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine.

What does osteochondrosis of the chest look like

If you look more closely, thoracic osteochondrosis first affects the bone tissue (vertebrae) and begins to affect the cartilage tissue as it develops. Later, osteochondrosis can cause not only severe pain, but also other diseases and sometimes disability.

Let's see how thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed in patients. Most patients come with obvious symptoms of the disease. In advanced stages, a specialist can accurately diagnose the disease with a simple examination. In other cases, an x-ray or MRI is needed for a complete picture.

Degrees of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region

It is important to say that the transition from degree to degree is not an exact period, everything depends only on the individual characteristics of the human body.

There are four gradual stages of thoracic osteochondrosis:

1 degree. The onset of thoracic osteochondrosis when the patient feels almost nothing. There is a severe and persistent pain and sometimes no discomfort. Such feelings appear only after hard work or physical exertion, but in most cases the disease does not manifest itself.
2nd degree.The second degree results in the destruction of cartilage tissue, resulting in a decrease in intervertebral fissures and compression of nerve endings, lymphatic vessels, and even blood vessels.
3rd degree.At this stage, stable changes begin in the spine. Constant means irreversible. For example, scoliosis, kyphosis, humpback and others develop.
4th degree.This is the last and most serious form of the disease, which threatens very serious consequences. At this stage, the results are almost irreversible, because the changes in the spine are very serious.

Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis

Review the list of causes (predisposing factors) of the onset of the disease:

pathological changes in the intervertebral discs;
intervertebral hernia;
disruption of blood supply to the spinal cord;
lack of nutrients in the body (for example, calcium);
serious spinal injuries;
lifting weights or regular heavy loads on the spine;
always be anxious and unnatural in the absence of sports or any physical activity (sedentary lifestyle);
curvature of the spine.

Symptoms and signs of thoracic osteochondrosis

Any disease has its own symptoms and characteristic manifestations of pathology. Osteochondrosis is not excluded, although when it comes to breast disease, the symptoms are confused with heart disease or lung disease.

Let's look at a list of the main symptoms that are characteristic of thoracic chondrosis:

Chest pain or burning.The main distinguishing feature of this particular type of disease is chest pain, which occurs after strenuous physical exertion, bending to the sides, with severe hypothermia, or when the patient is in a prolonged position (for example, during sleep).
Pain between shoulder blades.Increased pain is associated not only with the arms raised, but also with strong bending to the sides.
Dull pains during deep breathing and exhalation.
Cough.Coughing is not immediately apparent, and often when this symptom appears, patients begin treatment with viral medications, which is a big mistake.
Anxiety between the ribs while walking. Symptoms may also appear in the early stages of the disease.
shortness of breath.It is difficult for a person to breathe during stress.
Sweating at night.At night, a person is alone for a long time, which causes not only pain, but also sweating.
Hand cramps at night.The extremity may be numb, the symptom occurs in the second stage of the disease, when the vertebrae close the nerve endings and some blood vessels.
Temperature.It is not always visible and is accompanied by the most severe pain.
intercostal neuralgia. The patient feels stiffness and tightness, as if an invisible corset is squeezed in the chest.
Increased blood pressure.
Panic attacks.Panic attacks are typical of advanced events (stages 3 and 4).
Pain in the esophagus.
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region and heart.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region and heart

The most common cause of heart pain or extrasystoles is osteochondrosis of the chest. The pain is either long (1-2 weeks) or intense and wavy. Often, there is a rapid heartbeat along with the latter.

Patients often mistakenly consult cardiologists. However, examination shows that this is only a side effect of another disease, so the "heart" pills do not give the desired result.

Osteochondrosis in women during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Chondrosis of the breast is often seen during pregnancy or lactation. Often it all starts during pregnancy, when a woman is under intense physical stress. All of this can cause curvature in the thoracic or lumbar region during pregnancy.

The situation is often aggravated during breastfeeding, because often mothers are in the wrong position for a long time while feeding the baby, wear or "swing" on their arms for a very long time. However, virtually no one was able to start the disease above grade 2 during the entire period.

VSD in osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis causes the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia. Experts say that VSD is not an independent disease, but it is always another problem and can lead to serious consequences in general.

VSD in this condition is caused by improper posture during sleep, physical activity and sedentary lifestyle, overweight, etc. can occur with. As a result of two diseases, the patient begins to increase blood pressure, insomnia, numbness of the hands, memory impairment and more.

Osteochondrosis and scoliosis

Scoliosisis a congenital or acquired lateral curvature of the spine. If we talk about congenital scoliosis, everything is clear. It is interesting in this situation, because it seems for the most part.

Osteochondrosis of the chest may be the cause of scoliosis, although the cause may be different. Scoliosis can develop in the third stage of the disease.

Climbed Chondrosis

"Spines" are lumbar osteophytes with growth of bone tissue along articular processes or along the vertebrae. They are called thorns because they often look like thorns from the spine on X-rays.

This disease can be the cause of advanced osteochondrosis. This is a natural reaction of the body trying to increase the area of the vertebrae so that the displacement does not create so much pressure. The most common cause of cartilage hardening is "thorns".

Typical manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis in women

The female body differs from the male in many respects, so it has a number of features with this disease. In women, many autonomic nerve fibers pass through the chest to the limbs and internal organs.

In women, chondrosis has a number of additional symptoms that patients often confuse.

This includes:

heart pain;
stomach pains;
pain in the liver;
pain in the mammary glands;
numbness or coldness of hands and feet.

Complications of thoracic osteochondrosis

Exacerbation occurs most often in spring and autumn, when the weather changes sharply, the body lacks the necessary vitamins and human activity increases.

Exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis is divided into two types:

Dorsago.Sudden sharp pain after a long period of restlessness. There is a feeling that a dagger was thrown at the patient between the shoulder blades, which is very similar to the sign of myocardial infarction. It is recommended to seek professional help at the hospital.
Dorsalji.Appears gradually and lasts 2-3 weeks. The pain is very severe and persistent, aggravated by bending, deep breathing or prolonged stay in one position. Gradually passes with exercise and medication.

Aggravation is a strong painful sensation that occurs not only for a long time in a position or under a strong load, but simply for no apparent reason. The pain can radiate to different parts of the sternum.

What to do in case of an acute pain attack?

Often such attacks occur in people who have seen a doctor and know what orthopedic mattresses, corsets and physiotherapy exercises are. Those who are unaware of their illness often call an ambulance, which is a good choice.

Here are some more tips:

Try to lie down and give your body maximum rest. When a person lies, the stress on the spine is minimal. It is best to sleep on your back or in a fetal position.
If the pain is unbearable, take painkillers.See your doctor for advice.
Try to get as much sleep as possible in the early days,until the pain goes away.
As the pain subsides, you should start to get up more often and do exercise therapy exercises.

How to reduce pressure with chest chondrosis at home?

Increased blood pressure is already said to be a symptom of the disease and a side effect.

If the cause of high blood pressure is osteochondrosis, you can lower your blood pressure in the following ways:

Normalization of blood supply to the brain.There are medications that should be taken regularly on the advice of a doctor.
Relieving muscle spasms.Regular exercise therapy, massage and physiotherapy can cope.
Elimination of tissue edema.Physiotherapy, massage and acupuncture are also very effective here.

How and when to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region?

Treatment of this disease usually takes a long time and involves a number of procedures. Some can be done at home alone, and some only on the advice of experts. Consider different treatments.

Home treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

Basic home remedies:

physical therapy exercises or at least simple exercises in the morning;
special mattress;
simple self-massage techniques;
Herbal baths and rubs to relieve pain and restore blood circulation.

Medications and drugs

It is important to remember that pain relief and treatment are two different things. You should not constantly tolerate and use painkillers, you should take medication.

WARNING! It is very important to understand that osteochondrosis is a serious disease, so it is necessary to take the pill on the advice of a specialist after a complete diagnosis!

Check out the list of the most popular medicines:

Painkiller.Should be taken in case of exacerbation.
Hydroprotectors(restore cartilage tissue).
Injections and needles.It is most often prescribed by a doctor, depending on the severity of the disease and the patient's propensity for certain medications.
Ointments and gels.
Vitamin complexes.Any vitamin complex is suitable, it is important to have B vitamins.

Massage and manual therapy

Massages are recommended for all types of osteochondrosis, as they help relieve tension, pain, and restore the nervous and circulatory systems. But it is important to understand that massage should be therapeutic.

Manual therapyMassage is a very similar but slightly different procedure. Manual therapy is an effect on the anatomical structures of the human body with the hands of a specialist to overcome the limitations and relax the muscles.

The peculiarity of hand massage is that it can be done in different positions (lying on your back, lying on your side, sitting on your feet). Often the patient may feel pain during pressure, bending, stretching or other methods, but after the procedure there is always a feeling of lightness and "freedom".

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is not accessible to everyone, but it is still effective. The procedure helps to get rid of anxiety and at the same time begins the recovery process.

In the early stages, acupuncture may be the mainstay of treatment to eliminate the need for medication or other procedures to treat osteochondrosis of the breast.

Physiotherapy methods

Electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, laser therapy, shock wave therapy, balneotherapy and vibration are often used.

It is important to note that there are a number of contraindications to these procedures, so you should consult a specialist.

Physiotherapy and sports

The main task of physiotherapy exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis is to strengthen the back muscles, shoulder complex muscles and respiratory muscles. It is recommended to apply sports therapy in special groups, but you can exercise at home. It is very important to choose exercises for a specific disease and not to exercise during an exacerbation.

Let's look at some basic exercises:

Sit in a chair, lean your upper back back and bend your back as much as possible behind your head with your hands(it is important to have a working chest area). After that, the maximum forward bending is done. Repeat 4-5 times.
Also, sit in a chair, put your hands behind your head, take a deep breath, and then lean back 3-5 times, leaning your upper back. Then repeat the forward bend and breathe slowly 4-6 times.
Lie on your stomach and bend at the chest as much as possible(but not sharply), try to lift your head and legs as high as possible. Repeat 5-8 times.
Standing, arms down, legs together.Raise your arms at the entrance and then bend back. On exhalation, after lowering the arms and making a forward bend, you should try to round your back.

There are many simple back movements that can help in the treatment of diseases and are excellent for prevention or morning exercises.

Most exercises are simple and are taken from exercise therapy or yoga:

An effective training set with a stick. A simple set of exercises that will help strengthen your back muscles and straighten your spine. The complex includes 5 basic exercises that should be performed daily.
Exercises for protruding osteochondrosis of the chest. In this situation, it is recommended to do the simplest exercise therapy exercises, which include back bending, standing, lying and sitting.
Isometric exercises.

Isothermal exercises are rarely used, so let's look at a few examples:

"Karate" practice.While sitting or standing, the arms are bent at a 90-degree angle at the elbows, the fingers are bent at the fists, and the back is straight and forward. Alternatively, each hand strikes in front of itself.
Ballerina training. Sitting in a chair, your hands are locked in front of you at shoulder level. Turn right and left alternately to the maximum (do not sharpen). If pain occurs during exercise, it should be stopped.
Japanese Greeting Work. The hands are folded in front of you at chest level, between the palms and the palms. The pressure is applied with both hands for 30 seconds. After that you need a door. Put your hands on the edges of the opening and hold them. You don't need to press anywhere with your hands, you just need to bend forward with your hands (to get through the opening) and then back.

Author's methods of gymnastics will help reduce the appearance of severe symptoms:

7 basic exercises for chest chondrosis by Alexandra Bonina.
Bubnovsky's author's method.This is a complex treatment of osteochondrosis with the help of special simulators in addition to special gymnastics. According to the Creator, the disease can be treated in this way without drugs.
Dr. Gymnastics from Popov's cervicothoracic chondrosis. The main difference of this gymnastics is not to strengthen the big muscles (like most other exercises), but to strengthen the small ones. This type of gymnastics is also called micro gymnastics.
Dr. Exercises according to Shishon's method.This method consists of 7 simple but unique exercises that strengthen the muscles of the spine along with the chest.

Treatment with folk remedies

Consider the most popular and effective folk remedies: herbal baths, calendula and dandelion-based rubs, chamomile tincture, as well as tinctures based on lemon balm leaves and orange peel. Often used in folk medicine various rubs.

Tincture with ficus butter:

Chop a few ficus leaves and mix with butter in a 1: 1 ratio.
Then put the mixture in a hot oven for 1, 5 hours, then remove and strain.
The cooled substance should be rubbed along the spine daily.

Potato compressor will also be effective in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the breast:

Take 4-5 potatoes and boil them, then mash and make a thick puree.
This puree is wrapped in several layers of stamp and applied to the affected part of the waist.
After that, the compress is covered with a woolen scarf or a thick towel and stored until it cools down.
When the potatoes are cold, take a compress and rub the wound with alcohol, then lie down under the covers. Repeat every day before bed until the pain disappears.

Prevention of thoracic osteochondrosis

Prevention of thoracic osteochondrosis is an active lifestyle without excessive stress. Proper nutrition, intake of vitamin and mineral complexes, as well as regular medical examinations.

But if we go beyond the general rules, we can distinguish several features:

Sleep on an orthopedic mattress in a natural position.
When working out, keep your back straight by warming up from time to time.
Morning gymnastics, gym classes, yoga, etc.

Such activities have a positive effect on the spine and the body as a whole, so regular moderate physical activity will help prevent spinal diseases.

In summary, let's say that osteochondrosis is a serious disease that needs to be treated unsuccessfully. Self-medication is not recommended, especially if the pain becomes a constant companion. But you must remember that the best treatment is prevention, so a healthy lifestyle is the key to success and health!