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

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a chronic disease associated with degenerative processes of 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 old, most often from 35 years old.

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 banal consequences of sleeping in an uncomfortable position.How not to fall into the trap of osteochondrosis and recognize it in time?After all, left untreated, 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 age of the patient, the degree and stage (acute or remission) of the disease.

At first, without treatment, thoracic osteochondrosis may 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 you inhale deeply - if you take a deep breath of air and hold your breath for a few seconds.For osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, two types of pain are specific:

• dorsal - acute pain attacks that disappear quickly (usually torment at night, when bending and rotating the body, or during exercise);
• back pain - mild pain lasting up to 3 weeks, which subsides as the patient “walks around”.

Other important criteria for self-diagnosis are stiffness and cracking in the sternum - for example, when you try to move your shoulders one by one or bring your shoulder blades together.

Important symptoms and sensations during treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis include:

1. Pain when lifting weights or after a long stay in one position - usually while pulling.With movement and active breathing, the pain intensifies and can “encircle” the chest, radiating to the armpits or collarbone.Some patients are also bothered by aching shoulder pain at rest.
   Unlike angina and other "cardiac" pains, which last from 3 to 5 minutes to an hour, thoracalgia with thoracic osteochondrosis can last for weeks and months, sometimes intensifying for several days, then decreasing.Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis with “heart” drugs does not bring any results. 
2. “Goosebumps” in the chest.The sensation most often occurs in the upper part of the thoracic region, at the level of the muscle fibers.May be accompanied by a feeling of numbness, decreased sensitivity (both in the chest and mid-back).As a result, 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, shooting pains can occur in the stomach, heart and even kidneys, which is why patients often suspect that they have an ulcer, angina or heart attack.If you have such symptoms, for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, it is better to consult a neurologist, and then subsequently contact specialized doctors to avoid making an incorrect diagnosis.
4. Reflex disorders.In thoracic osteochondrosis, they are most often expressed by rhythmic contractions of the spinal muscles of the shoulder and trapezius muscles in response to their stretching.
5. General weakness of the thoracic spine.It becomes more difficult for patients to maintain their posture;they begin to sag and curl.At the same time, the back muscles become more and more tense, the back “hardens”.
6. Difficulty breathing.Shortness of breath when climbing stairs, a feeling of lack of air or chest tightness are the most common symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.Treatment begins when the patient complains of cough, which is why he assumes that he is suffering from pneumonia.
7. Instability of the psycho-emotional sphere.People who experience the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine become more irritable, suffer from constant fatigue and fatigue even with sufficient rest.
8. From the side of the gastrointestinal tract, patients are bothered by a feeling of fullness and loss of appetite, bloating, flatulence, heartburn, irregular stools, nausea.Patients suffer from 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 by visiting an orthopedist or neurologist. 
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in men can also solve problems with impotence and urination caused by innervation disorders.

Causes of disease

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

• excessive physical activity, incl.household, professional and sports;
• poor posture and other deformities of the musculoskeletal system;
• underdeveloped muscle corset and poor physical shape;
• overweight;
• prolonged sedentary work without warming up (for example, working while driving or at a computer);
• back injuries (not only chest, but also in other parts);
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• bad habits;
• infections;
• hypothermia;
• hormonal disorders;
• chronic stress;
• Excessive salt consumption and lack of habit of drinking water cause long-term disturbances in the water-salt balance in the body;
• poor selection of shoes and poor carrying of bags and other heavy objects.

Other causes - unfortunately impossible to completely eliminate - 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 in the event of multiple pregnancies.

It is important to prevent the disease - even if there are no telltale symptoms or sensations for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.Only a doctor can assess the correct posture of a teenager.After all, for example, kyphosis often occurs smoothly and is imperceptible to a non-specialist.And in particularly advanced cases, at the age of 15, the first signs of degenerative processes in the spinal 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 disrupted and the functionality of the spinal cord deteriorates.In the absence of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis, this condition has serious consequences:

• intestinal pathologies, gallbladder dyskinesia;
• increased risk of heart attack, as well as ischemia and angina;
• hernias and protrusions of the spinal cord;
• dysfunctions of the liver, kidneys and pancreas;
• a tendency to pneumonia and other pulmonary pathologies associated with hypoventilation.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region in 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 disease, drugs and techniques are used to relieve spasms, incl.strengthen the back muscles.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region with medications in the acute stage of the disease takes from 1 to 3 months;in the future, adherence to simple rules throughout life will be necessary to maintain remission.If there are no indications for hospitalization, maintenance treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis and does not require significant costs.

In cases of advanced osteochondrosis, spinal cord hernias and other potentially dangerous conditions, surgical intervention is prescribed to decompress and stabilize the spine (microdiscectomy, foraminotomy, laminectomy).Postoperative treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in a hospital takes from 3 to 7 days, complete recovery 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 includes 14 daily sessions of 10 to 15 minutes.The intervals between courses should last at least 1 month and the number of courses per year should not exceed 4.
• Amplipulse (SMT), incl.with local anesthesia.Has a strong analgesic effect.Stimulates muscles and prevents muscle atrophy.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 glucocorticoid).Provides micromassage of periarticular tissues, improves cartilage nutrition, prevents inflammation and destruction of joints, dilates blood vessels and accelerates regeneration.Has an analgesic and antispasmodic effect.The course includes 10 to 12 procedures of 10 to 15 minutes each.
• Mineral baths, mud therapy, ozokerite and paraffin baths and other balneological techniques. They provide 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 bath or therapeutic mixture.
• Hydromassage. Improves tissue nutrition and nerve conduction, promotes relaxation of spasmed muscles.Accelerates regeneration and shortens the recovery period after exacerbations of thoracic osteochondrosis.Course – 10-25 sessions.The duration of the session is gradually increased 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 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 includes 15 sessions, which take place daily or every other day. 
• Traction methods. Used for non-surgical removal of hernias and protrusions, combating numbness of the limbs and clamps.They help to increase the distance between the vertebrae, improve posture, promote decompression of nerve roots, relax and strengthen the back muscles.This reduces the intensity of inflammation and pain.The standard course consists of 10-12 sessions, repetitions 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 includes a minimum of 10 to 15 sessions lasting several minutes to an hour.

In addition to physiotherapy and drug treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, patients may need to work with a psychologist.This will help get rid of anxiety that accompanies diseases of the musculoskeletal system.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

For osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, clinical massage is recommended - classic therapy (with drugs 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 drug treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in male drivers and operators involves the use of massage devices - seat cushions and covers, bolsters, 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 it with rest.Performing exercises in case of pain and severe fatigue is not allowed, as are sudden movements that can injure the joint and adjacent tissues.It is very important to perform exercises for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis daily, or even better, 3-5 times a day, at least 5 repetitions each.

1. Stand straight, feet together, arms at your sides.As you exhale, raise your arms and as you inhale, lean back.Lower your arms and lean forward as you exhale, lowering your head and shoulders.
2. Sit on 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. Standing 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 alongside your body.Bend your chest to form a “boat”: at the same time, lift your legs and head high.

In addition to the gymnastics offered for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, patients benefit from Nordic walking, yoga, cycling and water sports (swimming, diving, aqua aerobics).Remember to relieve your spine during the day: do not sit in the same position for more than 2 hours, and during your lunch break, try to lie down on a flat surface for 40 minutes.Stretch, stand up, bend over as soon as your back starts to stiffen.

Relief of symptoms and treatment of 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

Drug treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is complex and multivector.Patients are prescribed:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).They are taken orally, in courses of approximately 10 to 12 days, used externally (gels, ointments, creams - without restrictions) or in the form of injections.Please note that most NSAIDs can damage the stomach lining when taken orally.Therefore, it is recommended to take them in combination with proton pump inhibitors.If you suffer from gastritis, ulcers, colitis or other gastrointestinal problems, it is better to opt for injections.

2. Glucocorticoids.Steroid (hormonal) drugs 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.For this purpose, GCs can be prescribed along with pain relievers in the form of injection blockade.

   The choice of glucocorticoid and its dosage are made exclusively by the attending physician.Medicines in this group, when taken uncontrolled, 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 cartilage components and hyaluronic acid promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue.They provide the body with “building material” for collagen and synovial fluid, allowing you to prolong remission without medication.They must be taken annually, for 3 to 6 months.This will help reduce inflammation, prevent the spinal discs from further deterioration, and improve back flexibility.

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

5. Vitamins and antioxidants.These drugs are protectors and “breadwinners” of 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 surface of the cartilage.Vitamins (such as B vitamins) are effective in fighting inflammation.They are also necessary to maintain the strength and elasticity of cartilage 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 nerve root swelling.They help prevent spinal nerve damage and long-term rehabilitation with a neurologist.Left untreated, nerve root swelling can cause severe pain, muscle weakness, and organ dysfunction.

7. Neuroprotectors and anticholinesterics.These 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 your 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 drugs to combat dizziness, numbness of the limbs and other characteristic problems.

The dosage and advisability of using specific drugs for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis should be determined by the attending physician.

Diet for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region

From 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 strengthening of ligaments.It is also advisable to “speed up” the metabolism with easily digestible foods (small portions every 3 hours). 

The diet includes a protein breakfast (eggs, dairy products) and dinner (boiled fish, stewed, cooked 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 carbonated drinks.Drinking regime - from 2 liters of clean water per day.