Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.

Osteochondrosis is the wear and tear of the intervertebral discs, which causes degenerative organic changes in the spine. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is considered the rarest because this section is the least mobile due to its ligament with the ribs. But it is this that occurs most insidiously and severely, and develops earlier than other types. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by an integrated approach and produces good results. With a competent therapeutic approach, a person can regain mobility, lightness and a pain-free life.

Causes

The main factors provoking the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine include:

• Kyphosis and scoliosis. These diseases usually accompany a person from birth, as an anatomical anomaly. If kyphosis is softened, a person may not know of its existence for half of his life. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that leads to poor muscle load distribution. As a result, on the one hand, the muscles will atrophy and relax, and on the other, they will spasm due to constant tension.
• Injuries. They may be evident when a person injures their vertebrae in a fall, accident, or other similar circumstances. Injuries may not be noticeable. For example, spinal injuries are common due to overuse in the gym and heavy lifting.
• Flatfoot. Some doctors argue that this is almost the main reason for the development of degenerative changes in any part of the spine. Flat feet alter the balance of the muscular corset, inadequate redistribution of the load causes poor depreciation of the vertebrae.
• Statically incorrect body position for a long time. As a result of muscle overstrain, blood circulation and nutrition of muscle tissue deteriorate. That is, they support the column. This is the cause not only of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, but also of the cervical and lumbar spine.
• Excess weight and lack of sufficient physical activity.
• Stress. Stress itself is not as dangerous as the reaction to it. During stress, the adrenal glands produce excessive amounts of adrenaline, which is transformed into norepinephrine. Promotes thickening of blood vessel walls and the progression of atherosclerosis. Under stressful conditions, blood vessels narrow, resulting in poor oxygen delivery to muscle tissue.
• Alcohol consumption, smoking, use of other drugs and poor diet. Alcohol leaches calcium from bone tissue. Tobacco and other drugs cause improper functioning of blood vessels. Serious errors in nutrition cause obesity and a lack of B vitamins and minerals.
• Improper use of bags and shoes.
• Gastrointestinal diseases that affect the quality of nutrient absorption.
• Violation of water and electrolyte balance over a long period of time.
• The pregnancy. Thoracic osteochondrosis often occurs in women pregnant with twins or triplets.
• Metabolic syndrome.
• Autoimmune diseases, infections, poisonings.
• Genetic predisposition associated with a genetic mutation. You should not think that genetic predisposition is necessarily associated with the fact that one of your close relatives suffered from osteochondrosis. Often this has nothing to do with genetics. Genetic predisposition is always a mutation of certain genes. But still, the disease will develop only in combination with other factors.

The disease can occur both in adulthood and in youth. Every year the disease becomes younger. Therefore, it is important to recognize the problem as soon as possible by paying attention to the symptoms.

Symptoms

Degenerative changes in the thoracic spine cause a person great concern. The chest area contains the heart, lungs, internal organs of the abdominal cavity, ribs, and, in women, the mammary glands. Symptoms in this location may be similar to an angina attack, a heart attack, or pain in the stomach, mammary glands, or any other neighboring organ. Therefore, when osteochondrosis makes itself felt, it is often confused with other dangerous pathologies.

Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are interrelated due to two types of clinical picture.

Root signs

Root symptoms:

• stabbing or aching pain in the shoulder, armpits, or collarbone;
• altered reflexes;
• muscular weakness;
• pain in the upper thoracic region, similar to a heart attack, in the solar plexus, in the hypochondrium, pain in the mammary glands, in the upper abdomen or in the groin area.

Reflex signs

Symptoms:

• respiratory disorders such as feeling short of breath, pain when inhaling and exhaling, difficulty breathing;
• feeling of chills, "goosebumps";
• feeling of disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract: nausea, loss of appetite, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation, bloating;
• intercostal neuralgia;
• waist-type chest pain, between the shoulder blades, when bending and straightening;
• insomnia, feeling tired when getting enough sleep, fatigue;
• stiffness of movement in the morning;
• worsening of gait;
• irritability;
• Decreased libido/potency.

Reflex symptoms are vaguer than radicular symptoms and are often misinterpreted by doctors. Therefore, it is very important to find a competent doctor who will take the patient's complaints seriously and prescribe the correct treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis, especially during an exacerbation.

Diagnosis

The gold standard for diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis is an MRI of the thoracic spine and an examination by a neurologist.

MRI shows exactly the anatomical structure, changes, compression, blood flow and a visual image of the effect on the spinal cord. In addition, the study demonstrates possible complications of the disease such as protrusions, osteophytes, hernias and their effect on blood flow.

As before, an examination by a competent doctor plays an important role in making the diagnosis.

Treatment

Many have heard that it is impossible to completely get rid of osteochondrosis, but you can only slow down its development. This is a half-truth. You can get rid of hernias, osteophytes and other complications of the disease. You will be able to recover your life without pain and ease of movement and restore your intervertebral discs. There is a great chance to stop the destruction process, returning the column to its previous state as far as possible. Some people managed to completely get rid of the pathology, while others did not. Everything is individual and depends on the state of health, the willingness to overcome difficulties and patience.

You should be prepared for the fact that the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine will take a long time. On average, active participation will require 1 to 3 months. But even then, life will no longer be the same due to the need to engage in adequate and regular physical activity for at least a year.

In this case, finances and time are no excuse to refuse treatment, since the disease can be fought both in a hospital or sanatorium and at home. The most convenient option is a sanatorium. There, the patient is supported by a group of people with the same problems, but the conditions are positive and homely. The medical staff is always discreet and attentive. There you can relax and receive treatment without a hospital environment, but with all the necessary medical services.

The therapy consists of several stages:

1. get rid of pain (wearing a special corset, taking painkillers, undergoing procedures);
2. restoration of damaged spinal discs and preventive measures against the progression of the disease (physiotherapy, gymnastics, proper nutrition, help from a psychologist).

Drug treatment is also used, but is considered a last resort when other methods do not help. In the most serious cases and with dangerous hernias, surgery is prescribed.

The most important rule is not to self-medicate or self-diagnose. Mistakes can be very costly.

Home treatment

If you do not have time or sufficient financial resources for treatment in a clinic or sanatorium, you can achieve impressive results in getting rid of osteochondrosis at home. The recommendations below will help you cope with the disease.

Nutrition

It is necessary to introduce foods into the diet that help accelerate the metabolism in case of excess weight and the regeneration of cartilage tissue. It is important that the foods you eat are rich in nutrients, microelements, antioxidants, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and are easily digestible.

You should eat 4 to 5 times a day every 2. 5 to 3 hours, preferably at the same time. Portions should not exceed 300 g so as not to overload the stomach and liver. Three meals should contain between 26 and 30 g of protein. Protein is essential for building muscle tissue. Thus, the metabolism will accelerate, the body will stop accumulating fat and the cells will receive constant nutrition.

The first breakfast and dinner should be predominantly protein. For example, egg white and cucumber. The fundamental principle of the first and last meal is the absence of insulin spikes, which is achieved by eliminating carbohydrates. Cucumber, although it is a carbohydrate, has a low glycemic index. Proteins without a small amount of fats and carbohydrates are not digestible.

Recommended Products:

• legumes as a protein substitute for meat (beans, including green beans, lentils and peas);
• vegetables in large quantities (except for those containing starch, which should be consumed with caution);
• gelatin and gelatin (they contain natural collagen, necessary for joints);
• chicken wings (you have to gnaw the bones, it is their content that is the most valuable);
• poultry, red meat in limited quantities;
• salmon, caviar and milk;
• squid, seaweed (no more than 100 g at a time);
• olive oil, camelina oil, linseed oil (if there are no liver problems), sesame oil; adults should avoid sunflower oil;
• fruits in limited quantities with low sugar content

It is advisable to boil, steam, stew or eat all dishes fresh.

The drinking regimen is mandatory, since the necessary amount of water relieves dehydration, nourishes cells and promotes weight loss. Daily water intake is calculated using a simple formula: 30 x weight. Tea, coffee, herbal teas, juices and fruit drinks are not considered water.

Physical exercise

Physical exercise is an integral part of the treatment of osteochondrosis of any part of the spine. The following techniques may be included:

• Gymnastics developed by scientist Yuri Gushcho. Includes elements of dynamic and static yoga. He also advises carrying out hardening procedures. If you are interested, you can read his book "12 Keys to Safe Longevity", in which he talks about what to do to live as long as possible while being active. It makes sense to trust him, because Yuri independently got up from a wheelchair and recovered from coxarthrosis. He has many awards and thanks from the President of the Russian Federation.
• Gymnastics using Dr. Bubnovsky's technologies. His technique is quite effective and can be done at home. A number of exercises can be found on the Internet in video format and books with complete instructions are also available.
• Pool. Swimming not only helps you lose weight, but also strengthens your heart, lungs, and develops your back muscles.
• Isometric gymnastics. This type of exercise was first developed for astronauts returning home. The exercises allow, without damaging the joints, to restore weakened muscles, regain flexibility and ease of movement. Gymnastics is indicated for many pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, including osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
• Outdoor walks. It is advisable to dedicate an hour each day to intense walks, preferably in park areas or along the coast. The goal is to improve cerebral circulation, muscle nutrition and mood.
• Exercises to correct posture.

Complete rest

It is imperative to develop the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time. The ideal is to go to bed at 9 p. m. and wake up between 5 and 6 in the morning. During this time, the brain manages to restore the functioning of the internal systems of the body, the psyche and process all the information it received the previous day. This is especially important for spinal health.

To sleep it is necessary to choose the right mattress and pillow. It is better to forget about too soft or hard options.

Treatment in a hospital or sanatorium.

Manual therapy

This is an effect on the patient's body with the help of hands to restore metabolism and give the spine the correct shape. The procedure consists of manipulations to restore joint function, relaxing massages to relieve pain and muscle tension, mobilization to improve blood circulation and relaxation.

The duration of treatment is about 3 months.

Massage

In the treatment of degenerative changes in the thoracic spine, both classical therapeutic and acupressure types of massage are used. The masseuse works with the muscle fibers of the upper back and shoulders to influence the thoracic region.

Mineral baths

During the procedure, the body's hemodynamics change. This means that blood is directed from the center to the periphery and from there to the heart, which propels it through all the organs and tissues. Thus, the following effects are achieved:

• improves blood circulation;
• the nervous system is strengthened;
• The respiratory system and kidneys work better;
• the adaptive properties of the body increase;
• reduction of inflammation;
• pain relief;
• elimination of toxins;
• increases skin sensitivity.

The chemical composition of water affects the effect of a mineral bath on the body of a patient suffering from osteochondrosis. Water temperature affects muscle relaxation and metabolic processes.

Acupuncture

Also, this procedure is called acupuncture or acupuncture. Its essence lies in influencing biological points of the human body with the help of needles. Long and short sterilized needles are inserted to a depth of up to 15 mm and left for half an hour.

This seemingly simple procedure has proven effective all over the world. Patient reviews indicate the following effects after completing a course of acupuncture procedures:

• relaxation;
• cessation of tinnitus and dizziness;
• increasing energy potential;
• improved blood flow;
• improvement of thought processes;
• get rid of headaches;
• relieve muscle spasms.

laser therapy

The advantage of laser therapy is to improve the penetration of drugs and normalize the adaptive properties of the body. During the procedure, laser beams of a certain range are exposed to the areas of the spine that need treatment. The result of exposure is an anti-inflammatory effect, normalization of metabolism in the affected area, an improvement in general well-being, the process of tissue regeneration begins and the degeneration process stops.

As a result of completing a full course of procedures as part of complex therapy, the degenerative process can be completely reversed.

mud therapy

This procedure is beneficial not only for the spine, but also for the entire body. The only thing is that it cannot be used in the acute phase of osteochondrosis.

The effects of mud therapy include improving the trophism of formations in the intervertebral joints, vascular function, adaptation and recovery processes. In addition, the functioning of the nervous system is normalized, the pain disappears.

Work with a psychologist

Since with osteochondrosis a person experiences constant stress, anxiety states often develop. A psychologist not only helps to get rid of them, but also stimulates in moments of despair and fatigue. A positive attitude plays an important role in treatment.

exercise therapy

The treatment procedure is carried out in groups of several people and includes exercises taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient and her medical history. The emphasis is on improving joint function and strengthening the muscle corset. Without exercise, a complete recovery is unlikely.

nordic walking

This is one of the most effective types of physical activity for osteochondrosis and is gaining more popularity every year.

When walking with poles, 90% of the muscles are toned, calories are actively burned, the load is evenly distributed throughout the body, the cardiovascular system is strengthened, intestinal function is improved, the nervous system and psyche are strengthened, The functions of the respiratory system are strengthened, insomnia disappears, blood vessels are strengthened and a strong corset is formed around the thoracic spine.

drug therapy

Drug therapy is used only in the acute phase of osteochondrosis and when other treatment methods are ineffective.

At the height of the disease, pain relievers are prescribed, as well as drugs that accelerate metabolic processes. Both medications in the form of tablets and injections help.

Prescription drug groups:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which also relieve pain. Available in the form of cream, tablets and ampoules for intravenous or subcutaneous administration.
• Vasodilators. During muscle tension and severe pain, vasoconstriction occurs, as a result, blood pressure may increase and the supply of oxygen to the brain may become difficult. Vasodilators return vascular tone to normal.
• Muscle relaxants. This group of medications is designed to relax and calm tense muscles. This effect triggers a chain of beneficial changes such as improving blood circulation, regulating vascular tone and relieving pain. When blood flow is normalized, damaged tissues are restored more quickly.
• Chondroprotectors and vitamin B. These are medications that restore cartilage tissue, stopping the destruction process.
• Sedative complex. The stress of pain makes the pain worse. Irritability and anxiety activate the sympathetic nervous system, which leads to even greater tone of muscles and blood vessels. Sedatives and sometimes antidepressants can break this vicious cycle.

As you can see, the treatment of osteochondrosis must be approached comprehensively, having studied all the nuances. It is best to turn to specialists, to protect yourself from errors.