Thoracic osteochondrosis - manifestation and methods of treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical and lumbar spine is a common phenomenon. But thoracic osteochondrosis is much less common. There are many intervertebral discs in the thoracic region and they are quite thin. Sudden movements and excessive loads can lead to unpleasant consequences. But there are ways to treat the pathology.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: what it is and how to treat it

Doctors consider degenerative thoracic disc disease a "chameleon disease" due to the difficulty of diagnosis. In fact, we are talking about damage to the intervertebral discs. Pathology is based on high physical activity and metabolic processes. Here is a list of conditions that cause the disease:

1. Scoliosis.
2. Bad habits.
3. Sedentary lifestyle.
4. Genetic factors.
5. Spine injury.
6. Excessive physical activity.
7. Mental stress.

Note that poor mobility and excessive exercise are equally harmful. In everyday life, observe the measure. Exercise under the supervision of an experienced trainer. This also includes spinal injuries - very often patients receive them in the gym or in dangerous industries.

Manifestations of thoracic osteochondrosis

Many are interested in the question of how it manifests itself and how to treat thoracic osteochondrosis. First you need to address the first point. Here's what's going oninside your body:

• the intervertebral discs lose their shock-absorbing properties;
• the fibrous ring cracks;
• spinal nerves are compromised;
• inflammation begins;
• pain syndrome arises;
• ligaments and joints are destroyed.

The main features of the disease

Pathology is explained by the very structure of the human body. A large number of thin discs are localized in the thoracic region - they are more often subject to destruction. Due to the rib protection, the vertebrae are inactive, so doctors recommend exercising. Here are some more interesting facts:

1. The curvature of the spine may be the cornerstone of osteochondrosis.
2. The greatest stress in curvature (kyphosis) is found on the anterior spine.
3. Discs can fall late in the development of the disease.
4. The growth of osteophytes often occurs.
5. The spinal cord is not always negatively affected.

Signs of pathology

Chest osteochondrosis is accompanied by a certain set of symptoms. The severity of these signs varies widely. The symptoms are:

• pain in the shoulder blade area (felt when bending and raising the arms);
• chest pain (worsens with exertion, tight turns, turns and cooling, as well as at night);
• discomfort when walking (manifested in the ribs);
• increased pain syndrome during inhalation-exhalation;
• a feeling of tightness in the chest.

With exacerbations, additional symptoms may appear. These include burning and itchy legs, numbness in certain areas of the body, brittle nails and peeling of the skin. Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract also occur. Some patients complain of pain in the esophagus and pharynx. All of these signs indicate that you urgently need to visit your doctor.

Among the complications stands out the dorsago - "low back pain in the chest", a sharp pain that has arisen in the chest. Most often, the dorsago is the result of monotonous work. One type of backbone is back pain, a mild pain syndrome that lasts about two to three weeks. The patient feels short of breath. Unpleasant sensations worsen at night, when walking, bending over and breathing deeply.

We approach the treatment with competence

What approach to the treatment of pathology can be called competent? You will not be able to completely get rid of destructive processes, so you need to focus on preventing further deformation of the vertebral structures. Therapists set themselves several tasks:

1. Prevention of the development of pathology.
2. Restoration of the affected bone structures.
3. Neutralization of negative processes affecting the nervous system.
4. Improve the biomechanics of the spine.

Conservative therapy

In the early stages, the disease can be cured with medication. The progress of the pathology slows down, the pain stops. We list the most effective drug groups:

• NSAIDs;
• diuretics;
• glucocorticosteroids;
• chondroprotector;
• metabolic stimulants.

Drug-free treatment

Doctors recommend a comprehensive approach to solving the problem. Acute pain can be relieved with non-drug therapy. Usually 2-3 sessions are enough for the patient to feel relieved. The following techniques are used:

1. Acupressure massage (relaxes muscles, relieves tension).
2. Acupuncture (muscle strength and mobility are restored, numbness is treated).
3. Manual therapy (normalizes blood circulation, reduces the load on the disc, reduces intervertebral spaces).
4. Moxtotherapy (normalizes metabolism, activates recovery processes).
5. Hirudotherapy (helps get rid of blood congestion, prevents inflammation, strengthens nutrition of ligaments and muscles).

Many patients seek help from Tibetan medicine centers. Practice shows that competent non-drug treatment saves the spine in 97-99 percent of cases. Conservative remedies quickly get patients on their feet, but this approach is accompanied by unpleasant side effects. Such therapy should only be approached as a last resort.