Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

25 January 2024

Osteochondrosis is wear and tear of the intervertebral disc, which leads to degenerative organic changes in the spine. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is considered the rarest because this part is the least mobile due to its ligaments with the ribs. But this is the most dangerous and severe, and develops earlier than other types. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by an integrated approach and leads to good results. With an efficient therapeutic approach, a person can regain mobility, lightness and a pain-free life.

Cause

The main factors that cause the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine include:

Kyphosis and scoliosis. This disease often accompanies a person from birth, as an anatomical anomaly. If kyphosis is smoothed, then a person may not know about its existence for half of his life. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that leads to a disturbance in the distribution of muscle load. As a result, on the one hand, the muscles will become atrophied and relaxed, and on the other hand, they will spasm due to constant tension.
injury. It can become apparent when a person injures a vertebra in a fall, accident or other similar situation. Injuries may not be significant. For example, spinal injuries are common due to overuse in the gym and heavy lifting.
Flat feet. Some doctors think that this is almost the main reason for the development of degenerative changes in any part of the spine. Flat feet disrupt the balance of the muscle corset; Improper load redistribution leads to impaired depreciation of the vertebrae.
Improper static body position for a long time. As a result of excessive muscle tension, blood circulation and muscle tissue nutrition decline. That is, they hold the spine. This is the cause of not only osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, but also cervical and lumbar spine.
Overweight and lack of adequate physical activity.
Pressure. The stress itself is not as dangerous as the reaction to it. During stress, the adrenal glands produce excessive amounts of adrenaline, which is converted into norepinephrine. It promotes the thickening of blood vessel walls and the development of atherosclerosis. In stressful situations, blood vessels narrow, which leads to a poor supply of oxygen to muscle tissue.
Alcohol consumption, smoking, use of other drugs and poor diet. Alcohol dissolves calcium from bone tissue. Tobacco and other drugs lead to improper blood vessel function. Serious mistakes in nutrition lead to obesity, lack of B vitamins and minerals.
Improper use of bags and shoes.
Gastrointestinal diseases that affect the quality of nutrient absorption.
Violation of water and electrolyte balance over a long period of time.
Pregnancy. Thoracic osteochondrosis often occurs in women who are pregnant with twins or triplets.
Metabolic syndrome.
Autoimmune diseases, infections, hangovers.
Genetic predisposition associated with genetic mutations. You should not think that genetic predisposition is necessarily associated with the fact that one of your close relatives suffers from osteochondrosis. Often, this has nothing to do with genetics. A genetic predisposition is always a mutation of a specific gene. But even so, the disease will develop only in combination with other factors.

This disease can occur in adulthood and in youth. Every year this disease is getting younger. Therefore, it is important to recognize the problem as early as possible by paying attention to the symptoms.

symptoms

Degenerative changes in the thoracic spine cause great concern to a person. The chest area contains the heart, lungs, internal organs of the abdominal cavity, ribs, and in women the mammary glands. Symptoms in this location may be similar to angina attacks, heart attacks, or pain in the abdomen, mammary glands or any other neighboring organs. Therefore, when osteochondrosis makes itself felt, it is often mistaken for another dangerous pathology.

Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are interconnected due to two types of clinical picture.

Radicular signs

Radicular symptoms:

shooting pain or pain in the shoulder, armpit or collarbone;
impaired reflexes;
muscle weakness;
pain in the upper thoracic region, similar to a heart attack, in the solar plexus, in the hypochondrium, pain in the mammary glands, in the upper abdomen or in the groin area.

Reflex signs

symptoms:

respiratory disorders such as a feeling of lack of air, pain when inhaling and exhaling, difficulty breathing;
a feeling of shivering, "shivering";
sense of disturbance in the gastrointestinal tract: nausea, loss of appetite, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation, flatulence;
intercostal neuralgia;
girdling pain in the chest, between the shoulder blades, when bending and straightening;
insomnia, feeling tired with enough sleep, tiredness;
stiffness of movement in the morning;
walking worse;
irritation;
decreased libido/potency.

Reflex symptoms are more vague than radicular symptoms and are often misunderstood by doctors. Therefore, it is very important to find a competent doctor who will take the patient's complaints seriously and prescribe the right treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis, especially during exacerbations.

Diagnostics

The gold standard for diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis is MRI of the thoracic spine and examination by a neurologist.

MRI shows precisely the anatomical structure, changes, compression, blood flow, and a visual representation of the effects on the spinal cord. Also, the study showed possible complications of the disease such as protrusions, osteophytes, hernias and their effect on blood flow.

As before, examination by a competent doctor plays an important role in making a diagnosis.

Treatment

Many have heard that it is impossible to completely get rid of osteochondrosis, but you can only slow down its development. This is half the truth. You can get rid of hernias, osteophytes, and other complications of this disease. You can regain your life without pain and ease of movement and restore your intervertebral disc. There is a great opportunity to stop the destruction process, return the spine to its previous state as much as possible. Some people manage to completely get rid of the pathology, while others do not. Everything is individual and depends on the state of health, readiness to overcome difficulties, and patience.

You must be prepared for the fact that treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine will take a long time. On average, active participation requires 1-3 months. But even so, life will never be the same because of the need for regular and proper physical activity for at least a year.

In this case, finances and time are not reasons to refuse treatment, because you can fight this disease in a hospital or sanatorium and at home. The easiest option is in a sanatorium. There, the patient is supported by a group of people with similar problems, but the situation is positive and unpretentious. The medical staff is always careful and caring. There you can relax and receive treatment without the atmosphere of a hospital, but with all the necessary medical services.

Therapy consists of several stages:

relieve pain (wearing a special corset, taking painkillers, undergoing procedures);
rehabilitation of damaged spinal discs and preventive measures against the development of the disease (physiotherapy, gymnastics, proper nutrition, help from a psychologist).

Drug treatment is also used, but it is considered a last resort when other methods do not help. In the most severe cases and with dangerous hernias, surgery is prescribed.

The most important rule is no self-medication or self-diagnosis. Mistakes can be very costly.

Treatment at home

If you do not have time or do not have enough financial resources for treatment in a clinic or sanatorium, you can achieve impressive results in getting rid of osteochondrosis at home. The suggestions below will help you overcome this disease.

Nutrition

It is necessary to introduce into the diet foods that help speed up metabolism in case of excess weight and the regeneration of cartilage tissue. It is important that the food you eat is rich in nutrients, microelements, antioxidants, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and is easily digestible.

You need to eat 4-5 times a day every 2. 5-3 hours, preferably at the same time. Portions should not be more than 300 g, so as not to burden the stomach and liver. Three meals should contain 26-30 g of protein. Protein is essential for building muscle tissue. Thus, the metabolism will speed up, the body will stop accumulating fat, and the cells will receive constant nutrition.

Breakfast and the first dinner should be mostly protein. For example, egg whites and cucumbers. The main principle of the first and last meal is the absence of insulin spikes, which is achieved by eliminating carbohydrates. Cucumbers, although carbohydrates, have a low glycemic index. Protein without some fat and carbohydrates cannot be digested.

Physical training

Physical exercise is an important part of the treatment of osteochondrosis of any part of the spine. The following techniques can be included:

Gymnastics was developed by scientist Yuri Gushcho. It includes elements of dynamic and static yoga. He also advised carrying out hardening procedures. If you are interested, you can read his book "12 Keys to Longevity, " where he talks about what to do to live as long as possible while being active. It makes sense to believe it, because Yuri independently lifted himself from a wheelchair and recovered from coxarthrosis. He has many awards, thanks to the President of the Russian Federation.
Gymnastics using technology Dr. Bubnovsky. His technique is quite effective and can be done at home. A set of exercises is available on the Internet in video format, and a book with full instructions is also available.
Pool. Swimming not only helps you lose weight, but also strengthens your heart, lungs and develops your back muscles.
Isometric gymnastics. This type of training was first developed for astronauts returning home. Exercise allows, without damaging the joints, to restore weak muscles, restore flexibility and ease of movement. Gymnastics is indicated for many pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, including osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Walk in the open air. It is advisable to spend an hour every day for a brisk walk, preferably in a park area or along the beach. The goal is to improve brain circulation, muscle nutrition, and mood.
Exercises to correct posture.

Rest completely

It is important to develop the habit of sleeping and waking up at the same time. Ideally, go to bed at 9 pm and wake up at 5-6 am. At this time, the brain manages to restore the function of the internal systems of the body, soul and process all the information it received the day before. This is very important for the health of the spine.

To sleep, you need to choose the right mattress and pillow. It is better to forget about options that are too soft or hard.

Treatment in a hospital or sanatorium

Manual therapy

This is the effect on the patient's body with the help of hands to restore the metabolism and give the spine the right shape. The procedure consists of manipulation to restore joint function, relaxing massage to relieve pain and muscle tension, mobilization to improve blood circulation and relaxation.

The duration of treatment is about 3 months.

massage

In the treatment of degenerative changes in the thoracic spine, both types of therapeutic massage and classical acupressure are used. Massage therapists work with the muscle fibers of the upper back and shoulders to affect the thoracic region.

Mineral bath

During the procedure, the hemodynamics of the body changes. This means that blood is directed from the center to the periphery and from there to the heart, which drives it through all the organs and tissues. Therefore, the following effect is achieved:

blood circulation improves;
the nervous system is strengthened;
The respiratory system and kidneys work better;
adaptive properties of the body increase;
reduction of inflammation;
relieves pain;
toxin removal;
increased skin sensitivity.

The chemical composition of water affects the effect of mineral baths on the body of patients suffering from osteochondrosis. Water temperature affects muscle relaxation and metabolic processes.

Acupuncture

Also, this procedure is called acupuncture or acupuncture. Its essence lies in influencing the biological points of the human body with the help of needles. Long and short sterile needles are inserted to a depth of up to 15 mm and left for half an hour.

This seemingly simple procedure has proven itself all over the world. Reviews from patients show the following effects after completing a course of acupuncture procedures:

relaxation;
cessation of tinnitus and dizziness;
increase energy potential;
better blood flow;
improvement of thought processes;
relieves headaches;
relieves muscle spasms.

Laser therapy

The advantage of laser therapy is increasing the penetration of drugs and normalizing the adaptive properties of the body. During the procedure, a laser beam in a certain range is exposed to the area of the spine that needs treatment. The result of exposure is an anti-inflammatory effect, normalization of metabolism in the affected area, improvement of general well-being, the process of tissue regeneration begins, and the process of degeneration stops.

As a result of completing a full course of procedures as part of complex therapy, the degenerative process can be completely reversed.

Mud therapy

This procedure is beneficial not only for the spine, but also for the whole body. The only thing is that it should not be used in the acute phase of osteochondrosis.

The effects of mud therapy include improving formation trophism in intervertebral joints, vascular function, adaptation and recovery processes. Also, the function of the nervous system is normalized, pain disappears.

Work with a psychologist

Since a person with osteochondrosis experiences constant stress, a state of anxiety often develops. A psychologist not only helps to get rid of it, but also stimulates in moments of despair and fatigue. A positive attitude plays an important role in treatment.

Exercise therapy

Treatment procedures are carried out in groups of several people and include exercises taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient and his medical history. The emphasis is on improving joint function and strengthening the muscle corset. Without exercise, full recovery is impossible.

Nordic walking

This is one of the most effective types of physical activity for osteochondrosis and it is becoming more popular every year.

When walking with a pole, 90% of the muscles become toned, active calorie burning occurs, the load is distributed evenly throughout the body, the cardiovascular system is strengthened, the intestinal function improves, the nervous system and soul are strengthened, the respiratory system functions improve, insomnia disappears, channelsthe blood is strengthened, a strong corset is formed around the thoracic spine.

Drug therapy

Drug therapy is only used in the acute phase of osteochondrosis and when other treatment methods are ineffective.

At the peak of the disease, painkillers are prescribed, as well as drugs that accelerate metabolic processes. Both tablets and injections help.

Prescribed drug groups:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which also relieve pain. Available in the form of creams, tablets and ampoules for intravenous or subcutaneous administration.
Vasodilators. During muscle tension and severe pain, vasoconstriction occurs, as a result, blood pressure may increase and oxygen supply to the brain may become difficult. Vasodilators bring the vascular tone back to normal.
Relax the muscles. This group of drugs is designed to relieve and relax tense muscles. This effect triggers a chain of beneficial changes such as better blood circulation, regulation of vascular tone and pain relief. When blood flow is normalized, damaged tissue is restored more quickly.
Chondroprotectors and vitamin B. These are drugs that restore cartilage tissue, stopping the destruction process.
Sedative complex. Painful stress makes the pain worse. Irritation and anxiety trigger the sympathetic nervous system into action, which leads to greater muscle tone and blood vessels. Sedatives and sometimes antidepressants can break this vicious cycle.

As you can see, the treatment of osteochondrosis should be approached comprehensively, after studying all the nuances. It is better to turn to experts, thereby protecting yourself from mistakes.