Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine – medication, physiotherapy and gymnastics

For modern people, osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which is diagnosed not only in older people.The lumbar spine, which is constantly exposed to high stress, especially when walking, and the cervical spine, which affects office workers and students, are particularly affected.The chest area is less commonly affected, 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) in the intervertebral discs, against the background of which secondary reactive and compensatory changes in joints and ligaments gradually develop - this is how the diagnosis “osteochondrosis of the spine” is understood in official medicine.The disease is polyfactorial (multifactorial) and affects first the intervertebral disc (a formation of fibrocartilage 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 tract.Severe pain due to osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occurs in the 2nd stage, increases with physical activity and does not always clearly indicate the back.List of symptoms for each degree of illness:

1. Pain in the affected area or in the chest area on the left, similar to heart pain: constant or stabbing.Spasmodic muscle contractions.
2. Stabbing pain in the area below the shoulder blades, including between the ribs (intercostal nerves affected), can occur, accompanied by a feeling of pressure on the chest.Tends to increase when inhaling, twisting and bending the body.Increased discomfort when maintaining an uncomfortable position for a long period of time.
3. Problems with sensitivity of the upper chest, abdomen and lower extremities, appearance of “goosebumps” - due to damage (pinching) of the nerve roots.Development of an intervertebral fracture, limitation of mobility due to kyphosis or scoliosis.
4. Hypoxia, pulmonary congestion, other dysfunctions of the respiratory system.The development of fibrosis, the transition of degenerative-dystrophic processes to the structures surrounding the spine.Clinical picture of remission (weakening).

With osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree, constant pain occurs in the chest area, which indicates the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring and depression of the nucleus pulposus, which can lead to rupture of the 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 leading to hypoxia and severe pain);
• neurodystrophic (against the background of constant irritation of peripheral nerves by cramped muscles, paresthesia occurs: numbness, “goosebumps”, ringing in the ears, which increases in certain body positions);
• vegetative-vascular (spasm of blood vessels by muscles, which is manifested by headaches, dizziness, dysfunction 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 “operating conditions of the spine”, therefore it is partly natural to humans and primarily requires minimization of the number of development factors.This includes:

• 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;
• Habit of lying down.

When treating osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, all of the above points must be eliminated: this will alleviate the patient's condition.In addition, it is important to avoid hypothermia and not to remain in an uncomfortable position for a long time.A very important nuance is the issue of physical activity: therapeutic exercises must be included in the schedule of a person with osteochondrosis, but at the initial stage - under the supervision of a doctor.In addition, the treatment regimen includes:

• manual therapy (especially for curvature, pinched blood flow, if the disease is caused by an injury);
• massage courses;
• Bathe;
• physiotherapy;
• Acupuncture;
• local and systemic drug effects.

There is no uniform treatment regimen for osteochondrosis.In some cases, it is even important to take the correct position in bed, adjust the diet, and with 4th degree breast osteochondrosis, supplemented by complications (spina bifida, hemangioma), surgical intervention may be required.Based on the patient's complaints and the diagnostic procedures performed, an accurate therapy regimen is drawn up.

Home

After receiving the results of diagnostic examinations (X-rays are of particular importance), the doctor selects the optimal conservative treatment regimen.All procedures are carried out in the hospital (physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture), at home it is necessary:

• 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.
• Pay attention to your diet.

Drug treatment

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

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

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

Eat

Correction of the diet also provides significant support for bones, cartilage and muscle tissue: eliminate salt, sugar (reduce the amount to a minimum) and carbonated drinks.It is advisable not to overuse 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 should:

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

Exercises

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis requires regular implementation of a complex of exercise therapies aimed at increasing the mobility of the intervertebral joints and rib joints.Its tasks include relieving pain, stiffening the spine, strengthening the muscular corset and improving lung ventilation.Simple home exercises:

• Sit on a chair, place your hands behind your head as you inhale.As you exhale, bend back and place your shoulder blades on the back of the chair.Return to the starting position with a new breath.Repeat these steps five times.
• Get on all fours, exhale and arch your back.Count to 5, breathe evenly and return to the starting position.Repeat 10 times.
• Lie on your stomach, exhale, lift 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, relieves 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 depending on the patient's condition and the presence of additional diseases.Classic scheme:

1. The patient takes a horizontal position on his stomach.Lightly stroke the chest area from bottom to top (from the bottom of the shoulder blade to the back of the neck).Duration - 1 minute.
2. The upper zone (shoulder blades) is treated with squeezing and kneading movements (another minute).
3. Perform stroking (8 repetitions), pressing and rubbing (5 times each) on the shoulder girdles (trapezius muscles).
4. The neck is stroked for a minute and then moved back to the chest area in the specified order (1-2 steps).
5. From the occipital bone down, the spine is rubbed (lines close to each other parallel to it).The duration of the stage is 1 minute.
6. Then stroking movements on the spine, kneading movements and renewed stroking are carried out (another 2-3 minutes).

The massage of the chest, neck and spine always ends with stroking (calming) movements.Recommended order of techniques: pressing, rubbing, stroking.If the pain hardly bothers the patient, the number of kneading movements can be increased and the duration of soothing movements can be shortened.The duration of the sessions is 10 minutes;in the latter (the course consists of 7-10 procedures) it is recommended to use rubbing movements as a basis.

During exacerbation

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

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

If the exacerbation is severe, an ambulance must be called and hospitalization is carried out, where the doctor will monitor the patient's condition and select the right 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 action of thin needles on active points, each of which is a complex structure consisting of the choroid plexus, 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 pain relief;
• 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;
• Relief from spasms of the paravertebral muscles.

Acupuncture is only effective if you contact a qualified specialist: then there will be no side effects, you will get quick results - relief will appear after the 1st session.The recommended course includes 10 procedures.Because the doctor often applies electricity through the needles, there may be some discomfort during the process and reddish spots may remain after the needles are removed.

Manual therapy

Based on the data obtained through x-rays, the doctor may recommend visiting a chiropractor to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.Its task is to restore blood circulation, the ligaments 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 development of the disease;
• stimulate the regenerative properties of tissue cells.

In modern medicine, a new manual technique – post-isometric muscle relaxation (PIR) – has been particularly popular in recent years.It is based on a gentle and gentle stretch that stimulates the simultaneous contraction of the entire muscle and then completely relaxes it.The technique is suitable for situations in which, due to uneven contraction of muscle tissue, the function of the surrounding joint is disrupted, which leads to restriction of movement.

During pregnancy

High loads on the spine, fluctuations in hormone, water and electrolyte balance, especially from the 2nd trimester onwards, lead to an aggravation or the appearance of osteochondrosis in pregnant women.The treatment regimen is selected exclusively by the doctor;it must contain:

• wearing a corset to support the back;
• Choosing comfortable shoes (reducing the load on the spine);
• local use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• Carrying out therapeutic exercises.

Folk remedies

In addition to the main treatment regimen, you can add several non-traditional methods of local and systemic action on osteochondrosis.Most of them are allowed in both acute and chronic stages.However, keep in mind that any remedy can cause side effects associated with individual intolerance to certain products.Effective options:

• Take 2 hot peppers, chop them together with the seeds and mix them with a glass of vegetable oil.Leave in a glass container for 5 days (in a dark place).Apply gently to 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 treatment, but only for severe pain.
• Boil several peeled large potatoes and mash them into a puree.You can add some butter.Spread this mass on gauze folded three times and apply to the affected area.Cover this area with a wool scarf.The compress is kept until it cools down, the procedure is repeated every evening.The treatment lasts 3 weeks.

Celery root

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

sunflower root

Decoctions and tinctures from sunflower roots have a positive effect on pain in all lesions 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 and pour 200 g of the resulting powder into 1.5 liters of cold water.After boiling, remove from heat, leave for 3 hours and wrap the container in a towel.Use for compresses, applied 1-2 times a day until cool.The duration of treatment is 3 weeks.
• Take 2 liters of water per 100 g of crushed sunflower roots and simmer for 10 minutes.Wait until the broth cools down.Drink half a glass 3-4 times a day before meals, warm before taking.The duration of treatment is 3 weeks.

Homemade ointment

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

1. Mix camphor with mustard 1:1.
2. For 100 g of the resulting mixture, take 100 ml of alcohol and 100 g of protein (raw, whipped).
3. Store the ointment in the refrigerator for 2 weeks, rub the affected areas at night (take out a small amount beforehand and warm it to room temperature), and then cover your back with gauze and a woolen scarf.The treatment lasts 2 weeks.