Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - drugs, 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 bears a heavy load, especially when walking, and the cervical region, which affects office workers and students.The thoracic region is less frequently 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) that occurs in the intervertebral discs, against the background of which secondary reactive and compensatory changes in the joints and ligaments gradually develop - this is how the diagnosis "osteochondrosis of the spine" is understood in official medicine.The disease is multifactorial, it first affects the intervertebral disc (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 characteristics 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 2nd stage, is intensified by physical activity and does not always clearly indicate the back.List of symptoms for each stage of the disease:

1. Pain in the affected area or in the chest area on the left, similar to pain in the heart: constant or shooting.Convulsive muscle contractions.
2. Sharp pain in the area under the shoulder blades, can also appear between the ribs (the intercostal nerves are affected), accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the chest.It tends to increase when inhaling, turning, bending the body.Added to the discomfort of holding an uncomfortable position for a long time.
3. Problems with the sensitivity of the upper part of the chest, abdomen, lower extremities, the appearance of "crowds" - 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 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 (attenuation).

Constant pain in the thoracic region occurs in osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree, which indicates the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring and depression of the nucleus pulposus, which can lead to the 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 (from compression of the spinal cord root), reflex symptoms also appear:

• muscle-tonic (muscle spasms leading to hypoxia and severe pain);
• neuro-dystrophic (on the background of constant irritation of peripheral nerves by spasmed muscles, paresthesia occurs: a feeling of numbness, "clumsy skin", ringing in the ears, which intensifies when taking certain positions of the body);
• vegetative-vascular (spasm of blood vessels by muscles, which is manifested by headache, dizziness, disruption 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 upright posture and "spinal working conditions", therefore it is partly natural for humans and primarily requires minimizing the number of developmental 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;
• the habit of stooping.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine includes the removal of all the above-mentioned points: this will facilitate the patient's condition.It is additionally important to avoid hypothermia and not to maintain an uncomfortable position for a long time.A very important nuance is the question of physical activity: therapeutic exercises must be included in the schedule of a person with osteochondrosis, but in the initial phase - under the supervision of a doctor.In addition, the treatment regimen includes:

• manual therapy (especially in the presence of curvature, constricted blood flow, if the disease is caused by an injury);
• Massage courses;
• swimming;
• physiotherapy;
• acupuncture;
• local and systemic effects of drugs.

There is no single treatment regimen for osteochondrosis.In some cases, it is even important to take the correct position in bed, adjust the diet, and in the case of stage 4 thoracic osteochondrosis, accompanied by complications (spina bifida, hemangioma), surgical intervention may be required.Based on the patient's complaints and the performed diagnostic procedures, an exact therapeutic regimen is created.

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 you need:

• Use local anesthetics and analgesics for pain relief.
• Take products that improve the composition of cartilage tissue.Some doctors advise taking additional vitamins for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region (group B).
• Perform therapeutic exercises daily.
• Watch your diet.

Drug treatment

Local and systemic administration of drugs is necessary both during remission and during the period of exacerbation.Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine with drugs includes removing symptoms and influencing the degenerative process:

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

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

Food

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

• be based on protein products (milk, lean meat and fish, fresh cheese);
• have sources of chondroitin (jellies, aspic, meat jelly);
• consist of cooked or baked dishes;
• it is characterized by a sufficient amount of fresh vegetables and cereals.

Exercises

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

• Sit on a chair, while inhaling, put your hands behind your head.As you exhale, bend back, resting your shoulder blades on the back of the chair.With a new breath, return to the starting position.Do these steps 5 times.
• Stand on all fours, exhale and bend your back.Count to 5, breathe evenly and return to the starting position.Repeat 10 times.
• Lying on your stomach, exhale, lift your legs and lift your chest off the floor, arching your back.Hands by 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 lymph flow, blood circulation and muscle tone.Massage is prescribed in the subacute or chronic stage of the disease, the technique is chosen according to the patient's condition and the presence of additional diseases.Classic scheme:

1. The patient takes a horizontal position lying on his stomach.Gently caress the chest area from the bottom up (from the lower edge of the shoulder blade to the neck). Duration - 1 minute.
2. The upper zone (shoulder blades) is treated by squeezing and kneading (another minute).
3. On the shoulder rings (trapezius muscles), perform stroking (8 repetitions), squeezing and rubbing (each 5 times).
4. The neck is caressed for a minute and moved again to the thoracic part in the indicated order (1-2 steps).
5. From the occipital bone downwards, the spinal column is rubbed (closely spaced lines parallel to it).The duration of the stage is 1 minute.
6. After that, blows are performed on the spine, kneading and again blows (another 2-3 minutes).

Massage of the chest, neck and spine always ends with caressing movements (soothing).Recommended sequence of techniques: squeezing, rubbing, caressing.If the patient's pain is hardly bothersome, the number of kneading movements can be increased and the duration of soothing movements can be reduced.The duration of the session is 10 minutes;in the latter (the course consists of 7-10 procedures), it is recommended to use rubbing movements as a basis.

During an exacerbation

Stress, physical overload, hypothermia, heavy lifting - these factors can turn the chronic form of the disease into an acute one.The main symptoms of this are dizziness, migraine, 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, it is necessary to call an ambulance and be hospitalized in a hospital, where the doctor will monitor the patient's condition and select appropriate drugs for him.

Acupuncture

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

• they 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 in the adrenal glands, which has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• normalize blood circulation;
• eliminate swelling of spinal nerves;
• improve cartilage tissue regeneration;
• relieves spasm of paravertebral muscles.

Acupuncture will be effective only if you contact a qualified specialist: then you will not encounter side effects, you will get quick results - relief comes after the 1st session.The recommended course is 10 procedures.Due to the fact that the doctor often applies electricity through the needles, slight discomfort is possible during the process, and after removing the needles, reddish spots remain.

Manual therapy

Based on the data obtained from the X-ray, the doctor can recommend starting the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine by visiting a chiropractor.The task was set before him to restore blood circulation, the ligament apparatus and the functional state of the spinal column.Additional manual therapy sessions are added to the main treatment regimen:

• help reduce the intensity of pain;
• eliminate muscle spasms;
• they slow down the speed of disease development;
• stimulate the regenerative properties of tissue cells.

In modern medicine, a new manual technique - postisometric muscle relaxation (PIR) - has become particularly popular for several years.It is based on soft and gentle stretching, stimulating the simultaneous contraction of the entire muscle, after which it relaxes completely.The technique is suitable for situations when, due to uneven contraction of muscle tissue, the functioning of the joint surrounded by it is disturbed, which leads to limitation of its movement.

During pregnancy

Heavy loads on the spine, fluctuations in hormones, water and electrolyte balance, especially from the 2nd trimester, lead to worsening or occurrence of osteochondrosis in pregnant women.The treatment regimen is chosen exclusively by the doctor;must include:

• wearing a corset to support the back;
• choice of comfortable shoes (reduce the load on the spine);
• local application of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• performing 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 the acute and chronic phase, but keep in mind that any drug can cause adverse reactions associated with the individual intolerance of certain products.Effective options:

• Take 2 hot peppers, chop them together with the seeds, mix with a glass of vegetable oil.Infuse in a glass container for 5 days (in a dark place).Apply, gently rubbing into the affected area, up to 2 times a day, without covering anything.This ointment should not be applied to skin with wounds or scratches.It is not used for long-term treatment - only for severe pain.
• Boil a few large peeled potatoes and mash them.You can add a little butter.Spread this mass over gauze folded three times and apply to the affected area.Cover this area with a woolen 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 drugs.The simplest 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.before meals 3 times a day.Duration of treatment - 3 weeks.Alternative: pour 2 tbsp.l.of the obtained juice with a glass of boiling water, let it stand for 2 hours.Drink 1 tbsp.l.also before meals, up to 4 times a day.Treatment lasts a month.

sunflower root

Decoctions and tinctures from sunflower roots work well for pain in any lesions of the musculoskeletal system.It can be used both locally and internally;it will additionally be beneficial for the gallbladder and nervous system.Simple recipes:

• Crush the roots, pour 200 g of the obtained powder with 1.5 liters of cold water.Remove from heat after boiling, leave for 3 hours, wrapping the bowl in a towel.Use for compresses 1-2 times a day until they cool down.The course of treatment is 3 weeks.
• For 100 g of ground sunflower roots, take 2 liters of water and let it simmer for 10 minutes.Wait until the soup cools down.Drink half a glass before meals 3-4 times a day, warm before taking.The course of treatment lasts 3 weeks.

Homemade grease

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 products for local therapy are applied to the skin without damage 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 obtained 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 into the affected areas at night (take out a small amount in advance to warm to room temperature), and then cover your back with gauze and a woolen scarf.Treatment lasts 2 weeks.