Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: medications, physiotherapy and gymnastics.

For modern people, one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system, diagnosed not only in the elderly, is osteochondrosis.It mainly affects the lumbar region, which constantly carries a large load, especially when walking, and the cervical region, which affects office workers and students.The thoracic region is affected less frequently, but also requires careful attention and timely initiation of treatment.

What is osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine?

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

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

Due to the structural features of the thoracic 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 second 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 left chest area, similar to heart pain: constant or stabbing.Convulsive muscle contractions.
2. Sharp pain in the area below the shoulder blades, it can also appear between the ribs (the intercostal nerves are affected), accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the chest.It tends to intensify when inhaling, when turning, when bending the body.Added to the discomfort when maintaining an uncomfortable position for a long time.
3. Problems with the sensitivity of the upper chest, abdomen and lower extremities, the appearance of "goosebumps", due to damage (pinching) of the nerve roots.Development of intervertebral hernia, limitation of mobility due to kyphosis or scoliosis.
4. Hypoxia, pulmonary congestion, other respiratory system dysfunctions.The development of fibrosis, the transition of degenerative-dystrophic processes to the structures surrounding the spine.Clinical picture of remission (attenuation).

Constant pain in the thoracic region appears with second degree osteochondrosis, which indicates the appearance of cracks in the annulus fibrosus and depression of the nucleus pulposus, which can lead to rupture of fibrous tissue and the formation of an intervertebral hernia.In the clinical picture of the manifestations of osteochondrosis, in addition to the compression syndrome (due to compression of the roots of the spinal cord), reflex symptoms appear:

• muscle tonic (muscle spasms causing hypoxia and severe pain);
• neurodystrophic (against the background of constant irritation of peripheral nerves by spasmed muscles, paresthesia occurs: a feeling of numbness, "goosebumps", ringing in the ears, which intensifies when taking certain body positions);
• vegetative-vascular (spasm of blood vessels by muscles, manifested by headache, dizziness, impaired functioning 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 associated with upright posture and "the conditions of functioning of the spine", therefore it is partly natural for humans and, first of all, requires minimizing the number of developmental factors.These include:

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

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine involves eliminating all of the above points: this will alleviate the patient's condition.It is also important to avoid hypothermia and not maintain an uncomfortable position for a long time.A very important nuance is the issue of physical activity: therapeutic exercises should be included in the program of a person with osteochondrosis, but at the initial stage, under the supervision of a doctor.Additionally, the treatment regimen includes:

• manual therapy (especially in the presence of curvature, compressed blood flow, if the disease is caused by injury);
• massage courses;
• swim;
• physiotherapy;
• acupuncture;
• Local and systemic pharmacological effects.

There is no single treatment regimen for osteochondrosis.In some cases, it is even important to adopt the correct position in bed, adjust the diet, and with the fourth degree of thoracic osteochondrosis, complemented by complications (spina bifida, hemangioma), surgical intervention may be required.A precise therapeutic regimen is drawn up based on the patient's complaints and the diagnostic procedures performed.

at home

After receiving the results of diagnostic studies (x-rays are of particular importance), 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 analgesics to relieve pain.
• Take products that improve the composition of cartilage tissue.Some doctors recommend taking additional vitamins for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region (group B).
• Perform therapeutic exercises daily.
• Take care of your diet.

Pharmacological treatment

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

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, analgesics to relieve inflammation and pain.Ointments, creams, tablets are used.
• Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics: relieve muscle or vascular spasms.
• Chondroprotectors - glucosamine or chondroitin preparations that restore cartilage tissue.

The selection of drugs from any group, especially for long-term treatment, should be carried out with the collaboration of a doctor.A specialist will also tell you how much to use and whether it will be necessary to repeat the course.

meal

Diet correction will also provide significant support for bone, cartilage and muscle tissues: eliminate salt, sugar (reduce the amount to a minimum) and carbonated drinks.It is advisable not to abuse spices, spicy and fatty foods, carefully monitor your weight, not overeat and monitor your water balance.Strong coffee, alcohol and fried foods are prohibited.The diet must:

• rely on protein products (milk, lean meat and fish, cottage cheese);
• have sources of chondroitin (gelatin, gelatin, jellied meat);
• consist of boiled or baked dishes;
• characterized by a sufficient amount of fresh vegetables and cereals.

Exercises

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis requires the regular implementation of a complex of exercise therapy aimed at increasing the mobility of the intervertebral and costovertebral joints.Its tasks include reducing pain, stiffness of the spine, strengthening the muscle corset and improving lung ventilation.Simple home exercises:

• Sit on a chair, while inhaling, place your hands behind your head.As you exhale, lean back and rest 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 bend your back.Count to 5, breathe evenly and return to the starting position.Repeat 10 times.
• Lying face down, exhale, raise your legs and lift your chest off the floor, arching your back.Hands along the body.Count to 5, go down.Perform the exercise 10 times.

massage

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

1. The patient adopts a horizontal position lying face down.Lightly caress the chest area from bottom to top (from the bottom edge of the shoulder blade to the neck) Duration: 1 minute.
2. The upper area (shoulder blades) is treated with squeezing and kneading movements (one more minute).
3. On the shoulder girdle (trapezius muscles) perform stroking (8 repetitions), squeezing and rubbing (5 times each).
4. The neck is stroked for one minute and moved back to the thoracic region in the order indicated (1-2 steps).
5. From the occipital bone downwards, the spine is rubbed (widely spaced lines parallel to it).The duration of the stage is 1 minute.
6. Later, stroking on the spine, kneading movements and stroking again are performed (another 2-3 minutes).

Massage of the chest, neck and spine always ends with stroking (soothing) movements.Recommended sequence of techniques: squeeze, rub, caress.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;in the latter (the course consists of 7-10 procedures), it is advisable to use rubbing movements as a basis.

During exacerbation

Stress, physical overload, hypothermia, lifting heavy objects - these factors can transform the chronic form of the disease into an acute one.The main symptoms of this are dizziness, migraine, chest pain and breathing problems.Treatment involves:

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

If the exacerbation is severe, an ambulance should be called and hospitalized in a hospital, where the doctor will monitor the patient's condition and select appropriate medications for him.

acupuncture

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

• stimulate the synthesis of endogenous (internal) opiates: endorphins and enkephalins, which have an analgesic effect: this leads to the elimination of pain;
• stimulate the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands, which has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• normalize blood circulation;
• eliminate swelling of the spinal nerves;
• improve the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
• relieve spasm of paravertebral muscles.

Acupuncture will be effective only if you contact a qualified specialist: then you will not find side effects, you will get quick results;relief comes after the first session.The recommended course is 10 procedures.Due to the fact that the doctor often applies current through the needles, slight discomfort may occur during the process, and after removing the needles, reddish dots remain.

manual therapy

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

• help reduce the severity of pain;
• eliminate muscle spasms;
• slow down the rate of disease development;
• Stimulate the regenerative properties of tissue cells.

In modern medicine, a new manual technique, postisometric muscle relaxation (PIR), has become especially popular for several years.It is based on a soft and gentle stretch, stimulating the simultaneous contraction of the entire muscle, after which it is completely relaxed.The technique is suitable for situations where, due to uneven contraction of muscle tissue, the functioning of the surrounding joint is disturbed, leading to a limitation of its movement.

during pregnancy

High loads on the spine, hormonal fluctuations and water and electrolyte balance, especially from the second trimester, cause an exacerbation or the appearance of osteochondrosis in pregnant women.The treatment regimen is selected exclusively by the doctor;must include:

• wearing a corset to support your back;
• selection of comfortable shoes (reduce the load on the spine);
• local use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• performing therapeutic exercises.

Folk remedies

In addition to the main treatment regimen, various non-traditional methods of local and systemic effects on osteochondrosis can be added.Most of them are allowed in both the acute and chronic stages, but keep in mind that any remedy can cause adverse reactions associated with the individual untranslatability of specific products.Effective options:

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

celery root

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

sunflower root

Decoctions and tinctures of sunflower root have a good effect on pain in any injuries 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:

• Grind the roots, pour 200 g of the resulting powder into 1.5 liters of cold water.Remove from heat after boiling, leave for 3 hours, wrapping the container in a towel.Use it for compresses applied 1-2 times a day until it cools.The course of treatment is 3 weeks.
• Take 2 liters of water for every 100 g of crushed sunflower roots and let it simmer for 10 minutes.Wait until the broth cools.Drink half a glass before meals 3-4 times a day, warm before taking.The course of treatment lasts 3 weeks.

homemade ointment

Local effects on the musculoskeletal system are mainly rubs and ointments that can be prepared at home.Honey and vegetable oils are used as a base;Alcohol or vodka is added to some compositions.All topical treatment products are applied to the skin without damaging it in small amounts 1-2 times a day.The most effective recipe:

1. Combine camphor with mustard 1:1.
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 it on the affected areas at night (take out a small amount in advance to reach room temperature), and then cover your back with gauze and a woolen scarf.The treatment lasts 2 weeks.