Treatment of Osteochondrosis of the Chest: How to Get Rid of Pain?

Thoracic osteochondrosisis a chronic disease associated with the degenerative process of the intervertebral discs.The pathological process soon involves the cartilage and bone tissue of the vertebrae, which is why the back loses flexibility and suffers constant pain.The first alarming symptoms appear in people over 25, and more commonly in people over 35.

The main problem in treating thoracic osteochondrosis is its insidious nature.This disease successfully disguises itself as heart pain, intercostal neuralgia, gastritis, heart disease, or even the banal consequences of sleeping in an uncomfortable position.How not to fall into the trap of osteochondrosis and identify it in time?After all, if left untreated, thoracic osteochondrosis can immobilize patients and lead to problems with the heart, digestive system, kidneys and gallbladder.

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis should begin with a thorough diagnosis and determination of the cause.

Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis

The clinical manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis depend on the patient's age, extent, and stage of the disease (acute or remission).

Initially, if left untreated, thoracic osteochondrosis may be asymptomatic—even in the second stage of the disease, there is often no pain.The most characteristic feature of this disease is pain that occurs when breathing deeply - if you take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds.With osteochondrosis in the chest area, there are two specific types of pain:

• back- Pain that comes on sharply but goes away quickly (usually at night, when bending, turning or exerting force);
• back pain- Mild pain that lasts up to 3 weeks and decreases as the patient "moves around."

Other important criteria for self-diagnosis are stiffness and crunching in the sternum area - for example, when trying to move the shoulders one after another or bring the shoulder blades together.

Notable symptoms and sensations during treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis include:

1. pain when lifting weightsor after remaining in one position for an extended period of time - usually shooting.The pain intensifies with movement and active breathing and may "encircle" the chest, radiating to the armpits or collarbone.Some patients also suffer from shoulder soreness at rest.
   Unlike angina and other "cardiac" pain, which lasts from 3-5 minutes to an hour, chest pain from thoracic osteochondrosis can last for weeks and months, sometimes intensifying for several days and then gradually relieving.Treating osteochondrosis of the chest with "starting from the heart" medications will not bring results. 
2. "Goosebumps" on chest.This sensation occurs most often in the muscle fibers of the upper chest.May be accompanied by numbness and decreased sensitivity (chest and mid-back).As a result, symptoms of insufficient tissue nutrition such as cold feet, peeling skin, and brittle nails may occur.
3. visceral colic.Severe stabbing pains may occur in the stomach, heart, or even kidneys, which is why patients often suspect they have ulcers, angina, or heart disease.If you have such symptoms, for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, it is best to see a neurologist and then contact a professional doctor to avoid making a wrong diagnosis.
4. Reflexia.In thoracic osteochondrosis, they most commonly manifest as rhythmic jerking of the shoulder and trapezius muscles in response to stretch.
5. General weakness of the thoracic spine.It becomes more difficult for patients to maintain their posture; they begin to slouch.At the same time, the muscles in the back become increasingly tense and the back "stiffens."
6. difficulty breathing.Shortness of breath, lack of air, or chest tightness when climbing stairs are the most common symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.Treatment begins with the patient complaining of a cough, which is why he thinks he has pneumonia.
7. Instability in the psycho-emotional realm.People experiencing thoracic osteochondrosis symptoms and treatment can become more irritable and experience persistent tiredness and fatigue even when well rested.
8. In the gastrointestinal tract, patients will suffer from a feeling of fullness,Loss of appetite, bloating, gas, heartburn, irregular bowel movements, nausea.Patients may suffer from pain in the throat and esophagus and a "lump" sensation when swallowing.

In women, symptoms of osteochondrosis in the chest area also include pain in the chest and breast glands and in the groin.They are incorrectly classified as gynecological problems.In this case, it's best to see an orthopedic surgeon or neurologist to begin examining symptoms and treating osteochondrosis of the chest with medications. 
Treatment of male thoracic osteochondrosis can also address sexual performance and urinary problems caused by innervation disorders.

disease cause

Thoracic osteochondrosis is a relatively rare spinal disorder.Its "share" in the total number of osteochondrosis patients is approximately 15%.The fact is that the thoracic vertebrae, to which the ribs are attached, are not very mobile physiologically - instead, they must provide stability to the chest organs.As a result, their discs are less susceptible to wear, injury, and rupture, and vertebral displacement and hernias are less common.But osteochondrosis in the chest area is also "difficult to treat."Therefore, it is very important to rule out or compensate for the following disease causes in advance:

• Excessive physical activity, including.Family, Professional and Sports;
• Poor posture and other deformations of the musculoskeletal system;
• The muscle corset is underdeveloped and the body shape is poor;
• overweight;
• Jobs that involve long periods of sitting without warming up (for example, while driving or working at a computer);
• Back injuries (not just to the chest, but also to other areas);
• Gastrointestinal disorders;
• bad habits;
• Infect;
• low temperature;
• hormonal imbalance;
• chronic stress;
• Excessive salt consumption and lack of drinking water habits are the causes of long-term disorders of water and salt balance in the body;
• Wrong choice of shoes and wrong carrying of bags and other heavy items.

Unfortunately, other causes of thoracic osteochondrosis cannot be completely eliminated: circulatory diseases (atherosclerosis or diabetes), metabolic syndrome, autoimmune diseases, and genetic predispositions.In women, treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis may be needed during multiple pregnancies.

Even if the indicative symptoms and sensations of thoracic osteochondrosis are not treated, it is important to prevent this disease.Only a doctor can assess a teen's correct posture.After all, kyphosis, for example, usually occurs smoothly and is imperceptible to non-experts.In particularly severe cases, the first signs of the degenerative process of the vertebrae may appear by the age of 15 years. 

Fortunately, you can start shaping your posture and treating osteochondrosis of your chest even at age 40!

Consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis

Due to compression of blood vessels and nerve roots, the innervation of muscles and internal organs is destroyed, and the function of the spinal cord deteriorates.If thoracic osteochondrosis is left untreated, the condition can have serious consequences:

• Intestinal lesions, gallbladder dyskinesia;
• Increased risk of heart attack as well as ischemia and angina;
• Spinal cord herniations and herniations;
• liver, kidney, and pancreatic dysfunction;
• Predisposition to pneumonia and other pulmonary lesions associated with hypoventilation.

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

Treatment for stages I and II of thoracic osteochondrosis includes conservative treatments aimed at relieving inflammation, pain relief, and restoring nerve conduction and blood supply.Additionally, to alleviate the condition, medications and techniques may be used to relieve spasticity, including.Strengthen back muscles.

Medical treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis requires 1 to 3 months in the acute phase; in the future, simple rules need to be followed throughout life to maintain remission.If hospitalization is not indicated, maintenance treatment is performed on an outpatient basis without significant expense.

Surgery to decompress and stabilize the spine (microdiscectomy, foraminotomy, laminectomy) is required in cases of advanced osteochondrosis, spinal cord herniation, and other potentially dangerous conditions.Postoperative treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis in the hospital takes 3 to 7 days, with complete healing taking up to 14 days.

Physical therapy for thoracic osteochondrosis

To treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the following methods are used:

• Magnetic laser therapy. Helps relieve pain, swelling and inflammation and strengthens humoral immunity.The course consists of 14 lessons per day of 10-15 minutes each.The interval between courses should be no less than 1 month, and the number of courses per year should not exceed 4.
• Amlipulse (SMT), incl.Use local anesthetic.Has strong analgesic effect.Stimulates muscles and prevents muscle atrophy.Helps relieve swelling and inflammation, dilate blood vessels and improve tissue nutrition.The course requires 8-15 procedures and lasts 10-20 minutes.
• Ultrasound therapy (optional - combined with corticosteroids).Provides micro-massage of tissues around joints, improves cartilage nutrition, prevents inflammation and joint destruction, dilates blood vessels and accelerates regeneration.It has analgesic and antispasmodic effects.The course consists of 10-12 procedures of 10-15 minutes each.
• Mineral baths, mud therapy, ozokerite and paraffin baths as well as other balneotherapy techniques.They permanently dilate blood vessels, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, relieve swelling and promote joint movement.The duration, length and impact of the treatment depend on the composition of the bath or treatment mixture.
• Hydromassage. Improve tissue nutrition and nerve conduction, and promote relaxation of spastic muscles.Accelerates regeneration and shortens recovery period after exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis.Courses – 10-25 lessons.The duration of the treatment sessions gradually increased from 15 to 30 minutes.
• Heat therapy. It has relaxing, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and improves lymph and blood circulation.The duration of courses and programs depends on the technology.
• acupuncture.Stimulates regeneration and improves innervation of tissues surrounding the spine, function of internal organs in the chest, normalizes blood circulation and reduces pain caused by endorphin release.The course consists of 15 sessions, held either daily or every other day. 
• Towing method.For the non-surgical removal of hernias and protrusions, to combat numbness in limbs and splints.They help increase the distance between vertebrae, improve posture, promote nerve root decompression, and relax and strengthen back muscles.This can reduce the intensity of inflammation and pain.The standard course is 10-12 sessions and may need to be completed repeatedly.
• Manual therapy. Improves blood circulation in the spinal cord, helping to prevent fainting.Restores the anatomically correct position of the spine, facilitating the treatment of hernias and herniations.Eliminates spasm and tightness in the chest area.The course has at least 10-15 sessions lasting from a few minutes to an hour.

In addition to physical therapy and medication for thoracic osteochondrosis, patients may need to work with a psychologist.This will help eliminate the anxiety that comes with disorders of the musculoskeletal system.Also encourages maintaining healthy posture.
Patients are advised to wear an orthopedic bra when engaging in physical activity (but not all the time, as this may weaken the back muscles).

Massage for chest osteochondrosis

For osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, clinical massage is recommended - classic treatment (with drugs or essential oils for thoracic osteochondrosis), vacuum, lymphatic drainage, water or acupressure.The doctor or device has an indirect effect on the chest area through the muscles of the shoulders and upper back, stimulating blood microcirculation, eliminating pain and swelling, restoring the normal range of motion and normalizing the tension of the muscle tights.Massage may also enhance the effectiveness of medications for thoracic osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest in male drivers and operators involves the use of massage devices - cushions and seat covers, body pillows, hand massagers.

Gymnastics for the Treatment of Chest Osteochondrosis

The first lasting effects of exercise therapy appear within the first two weeks of the course, but temporary relief may occur after 4-7 sessions.When treating thoracic osteochondrosis, load should be gradually increased, alternating with rest.Exercises in the presence of pain and severe fatigue, as well as sudden movements that may damage joints and adjacent tissues, are not allowed.Daily exercise is very important in treating thoracic osteochondrosis, preferably 3-5 times a day and repeated at least 5 times each time.

1. Stand up straight with your feet together and your arms across your body.As you exhale, raise your arms; as you inhale, bend them back.On an exhale, lower your arms and bend forward, lowering your head and shoulders.
2. Sit on a chair.When you inhale, straighten your arms behind your head, and when you exhale, bend back without lifting your shoulder blades off the back of the chair.
3. Stand on all fours, arch your back and hold for 3 seconds, looking straight ahead.
4. Lie on your stomach, place your hands on the floor, and bend back to lift your chest off the floor.
5. Lie on your stomach and extend your arms along your body.Bend your chest to form a "boat": Simultaneously lift your legs and head.

In addition to the recommended gymnastics for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, patients benefit from Nordic walking, yoga, cycling and water sports (swimming, diving, water aerobics).Don’t forget to relax your spine during the day: don’t sit in one position for more than 2 hours, and during your lunch break, try to lie on a flat surface for 40 minutes.When your back begins to stiffen, immediately stretch, stand up, and bend over.

Relief and treatment of symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in women also require maintaining correct body posture when doing housework - try to minimize the time you spend leaning, and sit as straight as possible if you need to do housework for a long time.

Drug treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

Medical treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is complex and multimedia.Patients are prescribed:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).They can be taken orally, with a course of about 10-12 days, or in topical (gel, ointment, cream - no limitations) or injectable form.Be aware that most NSAIDs can damage the stomach lining when taken orally.Therefore, it is recommended to take it with a proton pump inhibitor.If you have gastritis, ulcers, colitis, or other gastrointestinal problems, injections are your best option.

2. Glucocorticoids.Steroid (hormone) medications may be used in situations where traditional anti-inflammatory drugs are ineffective, such as to relieve severe exacerbations or pain in the later stages of osteochondrosis.For this purpose, GC can be prescribed in the form of injection blockade together with analgesics.

   The selection of glucocorticoids and their dosage is left entirely to the attending physician.Such drugs can have serious side effects if taken uncontrolled—they can cause hormonal imbalances, weight gain, and skin problems.

3. Chondroprotective drugs for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.Preparations based on cartilage components and hyaluronic acid promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue.They provide the body with the "building materials" of collagen and synovial fluid, allowing you to extend your period of drug-free relief.This must be done annually for 3 to 6 months.This will help reduce inflammation, prevent further deterioration of the discs, and improve back flexibility.

4. muscle relaxants.Muscle tightness and spasms can significantly reduce a patient's quality of life and cause discomfort even at rest.But the main thing is that they impair the nutrient acquisition of the intervertebral joints, causing further destruction and weakening of the cartilage tissue.In addition, prolonged tension can lead to the destruction (atrophy) of muscle tissue and increased joint loading.To prevent this, use a muscle relaxant.

5. Vitamins and Antioxidants.These drugs are joint protectors and "breadwinners."They prevent the destruction of cartilage and bone tissue due to aggressive oxidation and prevent the formation of new erosions on the cartilage surface.Vitamins, such as B vitamins, are effective in fighting inflammation.They are also needed to maintain the strength and elasticity of cartilage tissue – they prevent the formation of cracks and splinters and improve its shock-absorbing properties.

6. diuretics.These injectable medications are used for the emergency treatment of nerve root swelling.They help avoid damage to spinal nerves and aid in long-term recovery for neurologists.If left untreated, nerve root swelling can lead to severe pain, muscle weakness, and organ dysfunction.

7. Neuroprotective and anticholinester drugs.Such drugs improve the metabolism of nervous tissue and stimulate the conduction of nerve impulses.They help normalize the transmission of nerve impulses through the spinal cord and innervation of the internal organs, i.e. maintain control of the body.

8. Vascular protectant and blood microcirculation corrector.Vasoprotectants protect blood vessels, promote their dilation and normal permeability of their walls.Since osteochondrosis of the chest severely affects the cardiovascular system, it is worth taking these drugs to combat dizziness, numbness of the limbs and other characteristic problems.

The dosage and appropriateness of specific medications for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis should be determined by the attending physician.

Diet for chest osteochondrosis

In the early symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, a menu rich in collagen, vitamins A, B and C is recommended, which promotes the regeneration of intervertebral cartilage and the strengthening of ligaments.It is also recommended to "speed up" your metabolism with easily digestible foods (eating a small portion every 3 hours). 

The diet consists of protein for breakfast (eggs, dairy products) and dinner (boiled, stewed, grilled fish, poultry, seafood).During the day you should eat beans, whole grains, vegetables, fruits and berries.

It pays to reduce your consumption of starch, salt, flour, processed foods and carbonated drinks.Water regimen - 2 liters of clean water per day.