Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region: how to get rid of the pain?

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a chronic disease associated with degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs.The pathological process quickly involves the cartilage and bone tissue of the vertebrae, which is why the back loses flexibility and constantly hurts.The first alarming symptoms appear in people over 25 years of age, more often from the age of 35.

The main problem in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is its insidiousness.The disease successfully disguises itself as heart pain, intercostal neuralgia, gastritis, heart attack and even the banal consequences of sleeping in an uncomfortable position.How not to fall for the bait of osteochondrosis and recognize it in time?After all, without treatment, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can immobilize the patient and cause problems with the heart, digestive system, kidneys and gallbladder.

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

Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region

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

At first, without treatment, thoracic osteochondrosis can be asymptomatic - even in the second stage of the disease, pain is often absent.The most characteristic of the disease is the pain that occurs when taking a deep breath - if you take a deep breath and hold your breath for a few seconds.For osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, two types of pain are specific:

• back - acute attacks of pain that pass quickly (usually torment at night, when bending and turning the body, or exertion);
• back pain - mild pain that lasts up to 3 weeks, which decreases as the patient “walks”.

Other important criteria for self-diagnosis are stiffness and crushing in the sternum region - for example, when trying to move the shoulders one by one or bringing the shoulder blades together.

Significant symptoms and sensations during treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis include:

1. Pain when lifting weights or after a long stay in one position - usually shooting.With movement and active breathing, the pain intensifies and can “envelop” the chest, radiating to the armpit or collarbone.Some patients are also bothered by shoulder pain at rest.
   Unlike angina pectoris and other “cardiac” pain, which lasts from 3 to 5 minutes to an hour, chest pain with thoracic osteochondrosis can last for weeks and months, sometimes intensifying for several days and then subsiding.Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis with “heart” medications does not bring results. 
2. "Goosebumps" in the chest.The sensation occurs most frequently in the upper part of the thoracic region, in the muscle fibers.It may be accompanied by a feeling of numbness, decreased sensitivity (both in the chest and in the middle of the back).Because of this, the feet become cold, peeling of the skin, brittle nails and other symptoms of insufficient tissue nutrition are observed.
3. Colic in internal organs.Sharp, stabbing pains can occur in the stomach, heart and even kidneys, which is why patients often suspect they have an ulcer, angina or a heart attack.If you have these symptoms, for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine it is best to consult a neurologist and only then contact specialized doctors to avoid an incorrect diagnosis.
4. Reflex disorders.In thoracic osteochondrosis, they are most often expressed in rhythmic spasms of the spinal muscles of the shoulder and trapezius in response to their stretching.
5. General weakness of the thoracic spine.It becomes more difficult for patients to maintain posture;they begin to bow and slouch.At the same time, the back muscles become more and more tense, the back “hardens”.
6. Difficulty breathing.Shortness of breath when climbing stairs, feeling short of breath or tightness in the chest are the most common symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.Treatment begins with the patient complaining of coughing, so patients assume they have pneumonia.
7. Instability of the psycho-emotional sphere.People who go through the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine become more irritable, suffer from constant fatigue and fatigue even with sufficient rest.
8. On the part of the gastrointestinal tract, patients are bothered by a feeling of satiety and loss of appetite, abdominal distension, flatulence, heartburn, irregular bowel movements, nausea.Patients are tormented by pain in the throat and esophagus, a feeling of “lump” when swallowing.

In women, symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region also include pain in the chest, mammary glands and groin.They are incorrectly classified as gynecological problems.In this case, it is better to start checking the symptoms and treating thoracic osteochondrosis with medication in consultation with an orthopedist or neurologist. 
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in men can similarly resolve problems with potency and urination caused by innervation disorders.

Causes of the disease

Thoracic osteochondrosis is a relatively rare disease of the spine.Its “share” in the total number of patients with osteochondrosis is about 15%. The fact is that the thoracic vertebrae, to which the ribs are attached, are not physiologically very mobile - on the contrary, they must provide stability to the thoracic organs.Therefore, your intervertebral discs are less susceptible to wear, injury, and cracking, and vertebral dislocations and hernias are rare.But osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is also “difficult to access” for treatment.Therefore, it is important to exclude or compensate for the following causes of the disease in advance:

• excessive physical activity, incl.domestic, professional and sports;
• poor posture and other deformities of the musculoskeletal system;
• poorly developed muscular corset and poor physical shape;
• overweight;
• prolonged sedentary work without heating (for example, working while driving or in front of a computer);
• back injuries (not only thoracic, but also elsewhere);
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• bad habits;
• infections;
• hypothermia;
• hormonal disorders;
• chronic stress;
• Excessive salt consumption and lack of drinking water are the causes of prolonged disturbances in the body's water-salt balance;
• incorrect selection of shoes and incorrect transportation of bags and other heavy items.

Other - unfortunately, cannot be completely eliminated - causes of thoracic osteochondrosis: circulatory disorders (with atherosclerosis or diabetes), metabolic syndrome, autoimmune diseases and genetic predisposition. In women, treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis may be necessary during multiple pregnancies.

It is important to prevent the disease - even if there are no indicative symptoms and sensations for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.Only a doctor can assess a teenager's correct posture.After all, for example, kyphosis usually occurs smoothly and is imperceptible to non-specialists.And in particularly advanced cases, at the age of 15 the first signs of degenerative processes in the vertebral joints may appear. 

Fortunately, you can start shaping your posture and treating thoracic osteochondrosis as early as 40!

Consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis

Due to compression of blood vessels and nerve roots, the innervation of muscles and internal organs is disturbed and the functionality of the spinal cord deteriorates.In the absence of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis, this condition is fraught with serious consequences:

• pathologies in the intestines, gallbladder dyskinesia;
• increased risk of heart attack, as well as ischemia and angina;
• hernias and protrusions of the spinal cord;
• liver, kidney and pancreas dysfunction;
• tendency to pneumonia and other lung pathologies associated with hypoventilation.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region at stages 1 and 2 of the disease involves conservative therapy aimed at relieving inflammation, stopping pain, restoring nerve conduction and blood supply.Also, to alleviate the condition, medications and techniques for relieving spasm are used, incl.strengthening the back muscles.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region with medications in the acute phase of the disease takes 1 to 3 months;In the future, lifelong adherence to simple rules will be required to maintain remission.If there is no indication for hospitalization, maintenance therapy is carried out on an outpatient basis and does not involve large costs.

In cases of advanced osteochondrosis, spinal hernias and other potentially dangerous conditions, surgery is prescribed to decompress and stabilize the spine (microdiscectomy, foraminotomy, laminectomy).Postoperative treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in a hospital setting takes 3 to 7 days, complete healing takes up to 14 days.

Physiotherapy for thoracic osteochondrosis

For the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the following are used:

• Magnetic laser therapy. Helps relieve pain, swelling and inflammation, increases humoral immunity.The course consists of 14 daily sessions of 10 to 15 minutes.Intervals between courses must last at least 1 month, and the number of courses per year must not exceed 4.
• Amplipulse (SMT), incl.with a local anesthetic.It has a strong analgesic effect.Stimulates muscles and prevents muscle atrophy.It helps relieve swelling and inflammation, dilates blood vessels and improves tissue nutrition.The course requires 8 to 15 procedures for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Ultrasound therapy (optional - with glucocorticosteroid).Provides micromassage of periarticular tissues, improves cartilage nutrition, prevents inflammation and destruction of joints, dilates blood vessels and accelerates regeneration.It has an analgesic and antispasmodic effect.The course includes 10-12 procedures lasting 10-15 minutes each.
• Mineral baths, mud therapy, ozokerite and paraffin baths and other balneological techniques. They provide long-lasting dilation of blood vessels, have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, relieve swelling and facilitate joint movement.The duration of the session, the duration of the course and the impact depend on the composition of the therapeutic bath or mixture.
• Hydromassage. Improves tissue nutrition and nerve conduction, promotes relaxation of muscles with spasms.Accelerates regeneration and shortens the recovery period after exacerbations of thoracic osteochondrosis.Course – 10-25 sessions.The session duration gradually increases from 15 to 30 minutes.
• Thermotherapy. It has a relaxing, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, improves lymphatic and blood circulation.The duration of the course and procedure depends on the technique.
• Acupuncture.Stimulates regeneration and improves the innervation of tissues around the spine, the functioning of the internal organs of the chest, normalizes blood circulation and reduces pain due to the release of endorphins.The course consists of 15 sessions, which take place daily or every other day. 
• Traction methods. Used for non-surgical elimination of hernias and protrusions, combating numbness in limbs and clamps.They help to increase the distance between the vertebrae, improve posture, promote the decompression of nerve roots, relax and strengthen the back muscles.This reduces the intensity of inflammation and pain.The standard course is 10 to 12 sessions, repeat completion may be required.
• Manual therapy. Improves blood circulation in the spinal cord, helps fight fainting.Restores the anatomically correct position of the spine, promotes the treatment of hernias and protrusions.Eliminates spasms and tightness in the thoracic region.The course has a minimum of 10-15 sessions lasting several minutes to an hour.

In addition to physiotherapy and drug treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis, patients may need to consult a psychologist.This will help get rid of the anxiety that accompanies diseases of the musculoskeletal system.It also motivates you to maintain a healthy posture.
During physical activity, patients are recommended to wear an orthopedic corset (but not constantly, so as not to weaken the back muscles).

Massage for thoracic osteochondrosis

In osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, clinical massage is recommended - classical therapy (with medications for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis or essential oils), vacuum, lymphatic drainage, water or acupressure.The doctor or device has an indirect effect on the thoracic region through the muscles of the shoulders and upper back, stimulates blood microcirculation, eliminates pain and swelling, restores normal range of motion and normalizes the tone of the muscle corset.Massage also enhances the effect of treating thoracic osteochondrosis with medications.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in male drivers and operators involves the use of massage devices - cushions and seat covers, pillows, hand massagers.

Gymnastics for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

The first lasting effect of exercise therapy occurs during the first 2 weeks of classes, but temporary relief is possible after 4-7 sessions.It is necessary to gradually increase the load during the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, alternating with rest.It is not permitted to perform exercises with pain and intense fatigue, as well as sudden movements that could damage the joint and adjacent tissues.It is very important to perform exercises for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis daily, or even better, 3 to 5 times a day, at least 5 repetitions each.

1. Stand with your feet together and your arms at your sides.As you exhale, raise your arms and as you inhale, bend back.Lower your arms and lean forward as you exhale, lowering your head and shoulders.
2. Sit in a chair.As you inhale, place your arms straight behind your head and, as you exhale, lean back well, without lifting your shoulder blades from the back of the chair.
3. Get on all fours, arch your back and freeze for 3 seconds, looking straight ahead.
4. Lying on your stomach, place your hands on the floor and lean back, lifting your chest off the floor.
5. Lying on your stomach, extend your arms along your body.Bend your chest, making a “boat”: at the same time lift your legs and head up.

In addition to the gymnastics proposed for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, patients benefit from Nordic walking, yoga, cycling and water sports (swimming, diving, water aerobics).Don't forget to relieve your spine during the day: don't sit in the same position for more than 2 hours and, at lunchtime, try lying on a flat surface for 40 minutes.Stretch, stand up, and bend over as soon as your back starts to stiffen.

Relieving symptoms and treating osteochondrosis of the thoracic region in women also requires maintaining the correct position of the body when performing household chores - try to spend as little time as possible in inclined positions, if possible, sit upright if long-term housework is required.

Drug treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis with medications is complex and multivector.Patients are prescribed:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).They are administered orally, in cycles of around 10-12 days, used externally (gels, ointments, creams - no restrictions) or in the form of injections.Note that most NSAIDs can damage the gastric lining when taken orally.Therefore, it is recommended to take them together with proton pump inhibitors.If you have gastritis, ulcers, colitis or other gastrointestinal problems, it is better to opt for injections.

2. Glucocorticoids.Steroid (hormonal) medications are prescribed in cases where conventional anti-inflammatory drugs are ineffective - for example, to relieve severe exacerbations or pain in the later stages of osteochondrosis.To this end, GCs can be prescribed together with analgesics in the form of an injectable block.

   The selection of the glucocorticoid and its dosage are made exclusively by the attending physician.Medicines in this group, when taken uncontrollably, have serious side effects - they can cause hormonal imbalances, weight gain and skin problems.

3. Chondroprotective drugs for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.Preparations based on cartilaginous components and hyaluronic acid promote the regeneration of cartilaginous tissue.They provide the body with “building material” for collagen and synovial fluid, allowing it to prolong remission without drugs.They must be taken annually, from 3 to 6 months.This will help reduce inflammation, prevent the intervertebral discs from deteriorating further, and improve back flexibility.

4. Muscle relaxants.Muscle tension and spasms significantly reduce the patient's quality of life and cause discomfort even during rest.But the main thing is that they impair the access of nutrients to the intervertebral joints, which causes even more destruction and weakening of the cartilaginous tissue.In addition, prolonged tension leads to the destruction (atrophy) of muscle tissue and an increase in the load on the joint.To avoid this, muscle relaxants are used.

5. Vitamins and antioxidants.These medications are protectors and “breadwinners” for the joints.They prevent the destruction of cartilage and bone tissue due to aggressive oxidative effects and prevent the formation of new foci of erosion on the cartilage surface.Vitamins (such as B vitamins) are effective in fighting inflammation.They are also necessary to maintain the strength and elasticity of cartilaginous tissue - they prevent the formation of cracks and chips and improve its shock-absorbing characteristics.

6. Diuretics.These injectable medications are used for emergency treatment of swelling of the nerve roots.They help prevent spinal nerve damage and long-term rehabilitation with a neurologist.If left untreated, swelling of the nerve roots can cause severe pain, muscle weakness, and organ dysfunction.

7. Neuroprotectors and anticholinesterics.Such drugs improve the metabolism of nervous tissue and stimulate the conduction of nerve impulses.They help to normalize the transmission of nerve impulses through the spinal cord and the innervation of internal organs, that is, to maintain control over the body.

8. Angioprotectors and blood microcirculation correctors.Angioprotective agents protect blood vessels, promote their expansion and normal permeability of vascular walls.Since osteochondrosis of the thoracic region significantly affects the cardiovascular system, it is worth taking these medications to combat dizziness, numbness in the limbs and other characteristic problems.

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

Diet for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region

At the first symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, a menu rich in collagen, vitamins A, B and C is recommended, which promote the regeneration of intervertebral cartilage and the strengthening of ligaments.It is also advisable to “speed up” your metabolism with easily digestible foods (small portions every 3 hours). 

The diet includes a protein breakfast (eggs, dairy products) and dinner (boiled fish, stews, baked in foil, poultry, seafood).During the day you should eat legumes, whole grains, vegetables, fruits and berries.

It is worth reducing the consumption of starch, salt, flour products, processed foods and soft drinks.Drinking regime - from 2 liters of clean water per day.