Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine - drugs, physiotherapy and gymnastics

For modern people, one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which is diagnosed not only in the elderly, is osteochondrosis.It mainly affects the lumbar region, which always bears a high load, especially when walking, and the cervical region, which affects office workers and students.The thoracic region is not affected less, but also requires careful attention and timely initiation of treatment.

What is osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

The main degenerative process (destruction, loss of original function) that occurs in the intervertebral disc, against the background of which secondary reactive and compensatory changes in the joints and ligaments gradually develop - this is how the diagnosis of "osteochondrosis of the spine" is understood in official medicine.This disease is polyfactorial (multifactorial), which affects the intervertebral disc first (the 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 this 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, increases with 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 side, similar to heart pain: constant or shooting.Convulsive muscle contractions.
2. Sharp pain in the area below the shoulder blade, can also appear between the ribs (intercostal nerve affected), accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the chest.Tends to intensify when inhaling, when shifting, bending the body.Added to the discomfort when maintaining an uncomfortable position for a long time.
3. Problems with the sensitivity of the upper chest, abdomen, lower legs, the appearance of "goosebumps" - caused by damage (pinching) of the nerve root.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 the degenerative-dystrophic process to the structures surrounding the spine.Picture of clinical remission (weakening).

Constant pain in the thoracic region appears with osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree, which indicates the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring and depression of the nucleus pulposus, which can cause the rupture of fibrous tissue and the formation of 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 appear:

• muscle-tonic (muscle spasms leading to hypoxia and severe pain);
• Neuro-Dystrophic (against the background of constant irritation of the peripheral nerves by the spasmed muscles, paresthesia occurs: a feeling of fatigue, "goosebumps", ringing in the ears, which increases when taking a certain body position);
• Vegetative-vascular (spasm of blood vessels by muscles, which is indicated by headache, dizziness, disruption of the function 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 "operational state of the spine," therefore it is partly natural for humans and mainly requires minimizing the number of developmental factors.These include:

• physical inactivity (inactive 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;
• slouching habit.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine involves getting rid of all of the above: this will alleviate the patient's condition.It is also important to avoid hypothermia and not maintain 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 in the presence of curvature, pinched blood flow, if the disease is caused by injury);
• massage courses;
• swimming;
• physiotherapy;
• acupuncture;
• local and systemic drug effects.

There is no single treatment regimen for osteochondrosis.In some cases, it is important to take the correct position in bed, adjust the diet, and with the 4th degree of thoracic osteochondrosis, plus complications (Spina bifida, hemangioma), surgical intervention may be necessary.The exact therapeutic regimen is made based on the patient's complaints and the diagnostic procedures performed.

At home

After receiving the results of diagnostic studies (X-rays are very important), the doctor chooses the optimal conservative treatment regimen.All procedures are carried out in the hospital (physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture), and at home the following are required:

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

Drug treatment

The use of local and systemic drugs is necessary during remission and during periods of exacerbation.Drug treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine involves eliminating 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 of glucosamine or chondroitin, restore cartilage tissue.

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

Food

Diet correction will also provide significant support for bones, cartilage, and muscle tissue: remove salt, sugar (reduce the minimum amount), and carbonated drinks.It is advised not to use too much spices, spicy and fatty foods, carefully monitor your weight, do not eat too much, 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);
• consists of boiled or baked dishes;
• characterized by an adequate amount of fresh vegetables and grains.

Training

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis requires the implementation of exercise therapy aimed at improving the movement of intervertebral joints and costovertebral joints.Its tasks include reducing pain, stiffness of the spinal column, strengthening the muscular corset, and improving lung ventilation.Simple Home Exercises:

• Sitting 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.
• Get on all fours, exhale and bend 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, down.Do the exercise 10 times.

Massage

Indirect and reflex effects on muscle fibers and ligaments with massage have a beneficial effect on all parts of the spinal column, helping to relieve pain, improve lymph flow, blood circulation, and muscle tone.Massage is prescribed in the subacute or chronic stage of the disease, this technique is selected 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.Medium stroke the chest area from bottom to top (from the lower edge of the shoulder blade to the neck) duration - 1 minute.
2. The upper zone (shoulder blades) is treated with kneading and kneading movements (one more minute).
3. On the shoulder girdle (trapezius muscle) do stroking (8 repetitions), squeezing and rubbing (5 times each).
4. The neck is caressed for one minute and again moved to the thoracic region in the order shown (1-2 steps).
5. From the occipital bone down, the spinal column is rubbed (a short distance line parallel to it).Stage duration is 1 minute.
6. After that, strokes are performed on the spine, kneading movements and strokes again (another 2-3 minutes).

Chest, neck and spinal column massages always end with stroking (soothing) movements.Recommended sequence of techniques: squeezing, rubbing, stroking.If the patient's pain does not bother him, the number of kneading movements can be increased, and the duration of soothing movements can be reduced.Session duration is 10 minutes;In the latter (this course consists of 7-10 procedures), it is advisable to use rubbing movements as a basis.

During the exacerbation

Stress, physical excess, hypothermia, heavy lifting - these factors can change the form of a chronic disease into an acute one.The main symptoms are dizziness, migraine, chest pain, and breathing problems.Treatment involves:

• 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 severity is severe, an ambulance must be called and hospitalized in the hospital, where the doctor will monitor the patient's condition and choose the right drugs for him.

Acupuncture

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

• stimulates endogenous (internal) synthesis of opiates - endorphins and enkephalins, which have an analgesic effect: this leads to the elimination of pain;
• stimulates the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands, which has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• normalize blood circulation;
• relieves swelling of the spinal nerves;
• increase the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
• Relieves paravertebral muscle spasms.

Acupuncture will be effective only if you contact a qualified specialist: then you will not face side effects, you will get quick results - relief comes after the first session.The recommended course is 10 procedures.Since the doctor often uses while passing the needle, slight discomfort is possible during the process, and after removing the needle, a red dot remains.

Manual therapy

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

• helps reduce the severity of pain;
• relieves muscle spasms;
• slow down the rate of disease progression;
• Stimulates the regenerative properties of tissue cells.

In Modern Medicine, a new manual technique—post-isometric muscle relaxation (PIR)—has become very popular for several years.It is based on soft and gentle stretching, stimulating the simultaneous contraction of all muscles, after which it is completely relaxed.This technique is suitable for situations where, due to the uneven contraction of muscle tissue, the function of the joint surrounded by it is disturbed, which leads to the limitation of its movement.

During pregnancy

High load on the spine, fluctuations in hormones, water and electrolyte balance, especially from the -2nd trimester, lead to the severity or incidence of osteochondrosis in pregnant women.The treatment regimen is selected exclusively by the doctor;It must include:

• wear a corset to support the back;
• selection of comfortable shoes (reduces the load on the spine);
• local use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• do therapeutic exercises.

People's recovery

In addition to the main treatment regimen, you can add some non-traditional methods of local and systemic effects on osteochondrosis.Most of them are allowed in both acute and chronic stages, but it should be remembered that any drug can cause adverse reactions related to individual non-compliance with certain products.Effective options:

• Take 2 hot capsules, cut together with seeds, mix with a glass of vegetable oil.Put 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 used on skin with wounds or abrasions.It is not used for long-term treatment - only for severe pain.
• Boil some large peeled potatoes and mash them into a powder.You can add a little butter.Distribute 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, the procedure is repeated every evening.Treatment lasts for 3 weeks.

Celery root

To relieve unpleasant symptoms (pain caused by muscle spasms), you can take celery-based medicine.The easiest thing is to grind the peeled fresh root and squeeze it through cheesecloth, or 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. Juice produced with a glass of boiling water, leave 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 have a good effect on pain in any wound of the musculoskeletal system.It can be used locally and internally;It is also useful for the gallbladder and nervous system.Easy Recipe:

• Crush the roots, pour 200 g of the resulting powder into 1.5 liters of cold water.Remove from heat after boiling, leave for 3 hours, wrapping the container in a towel.Use to compress used 1-2 times a day until cool.The course of treatment is 3 weeks.
• Take 2 liters of water per 100 g of crushed sunflower roots and let it simmer for 10 minutes.Wait until the soup cools.Drink half a glass before meals 3-4 times a day, warm before taking.The course of treatment lasts for 3 weeks.

Homemade ointment

Local effects on the musculoskeletal system are mainly rubs and ointments that can be prepared at home.Honey and vegetable oil are used as a base;Alcohol or vodka is added to some compositions.All topical treatment products are applied to undamaged skin in small quantities 1-2 times a day.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 egg white (raw, beaten).
3. Store the ointment in the refrigerator for 2 weeks, rub it on the affected area at night (take a little first to warm up to room temperature), then cover your back with gauze and a woolen scarf.Treatment lasts for 2 weeks.