Every second person suffers from osteochondrosis. What is it, what is the nature of this disease and what to do if you have back painWe tried to give answers to all questions. In this article we are going to talk about the thoracic spine problem.
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic pathology of the cartilaginous surfaces of the bones of the musculoskeletal system - vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
Intervertebral discs are shock absorbers that relieve pressure on the spine.
The reason for the severity of the disease can be called the predominantly vertical lifestyle of a modern person. He spends most of his time sitting or standing and the load on the spine increases significantly. After a while, the outer covering of the intervertebral disc tears. The result of this process is the formation of hernias, which compress the blood vessels or roots of the spinal cord. These changes lead to circulatory disorders, the development of pain syndrome and reflex tension in the back muscles.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the chest region
With osteochondrosis, a person may experience pain in the neck, shoulders and arms, back, or chest. Often, patients are in no hurry to contact a specialist, but try to independently determine the cause of the unpleasant sensations. However, this is very dangerous. Just imagine: a person suspected a heart problem when it actually hurts with a pinched nerve. And if the other way around?
Important! Never self-medication! Pain of any kind is a reason to see a doctor to determine the exact diagnosis and treatment method.
What are the symptoms of chest osteochondrosis?
Pain in the chest and between the shoulder blades, especially noticeable when raising your arms, bending over, and doing other physical activities;
pain sensations intensify at night, with deep inhalation and exhalation as well as with hypothermia;
the appearance of "goose bumps" on the skin and numbness of each area;
Itching, burning, cold feet syndrome;
feel like a tire compressing a chest.
If a person has experienced at least some of these symptoms, it is imperative that they see a neurologist or traumatologist. After hearing the symptoms, the doctor will perform an initial examination of the spine and determine whether there are any problems with the cerebral blood flow. One of the most important steps in diagnosing any disease is being referred for a hardware exam. A number of methods are used in modern medicine, the most accurate of which are known as MRI and CT.
Which doctor treats
With osteochondrosis, you need to consult a neurologist. After he has made a suspected diagnosis based on the examination and the results of analyzes and examinations, he has the right to refer him for consultation to a closer doctor - a chiropractor or vertebrologist.
Treatment methods
So the diagnosis has been made. So, the next stage is the appointment of an effective treatment. Doctors usually orientate themselves on the specifics of the individual case and approach the choice of method individually. There are two types of treatment - conservative and surgical. Which of them is applied directly to the patient depends on the severity of the disease, the presence of internal resources of the body, as well as indications and contraindications.
What are the most common conservative methods:
Taking medications and supplements prescribed by a doctor;
manual therapy;
Traction;
Acupuncture;
Massage;
Exercise therapy, etc.
Relation. The human body is a subtle, unique system. If a patient was helped by gymnastics, this is not an indication of his appointment to another. The attending physician always selects an individual course based on the physical characteristics of the person.
The main form of treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic area is considered to be gentle manual therapy, with massages, medication, etc. playing a supporting role.
This is because the nutrition of the intervertebral discs depends on the condition of the muscles surrounding the spine. In addition, the spinal muscles themselves are a major cause of pain in osteochondrosis of the chest region. A chiropractor, gently acting on the tissues, helps normalize reflexes and muscle tone, relieves cramps and clamps, relieves and distributes the stress on the affected intervertebral discs, thereby improving disc nutrition and spinal blood flow, and the body becoming motor functionsrestored.
Rehabilitation and lifestyle recovery
Rehabilitation of patients with osteochondrosis includes an integrated approach. In order to keep the treatment result for a long time, it is necessary to combine many techniques from different medical specialties. For example, in addition to a therapeutic diet, performing special gymnastics exercises and visiting a chiropractor, the patient should be included in the list of mandatory procedures:
Isometric kinesitherapy;
Manual therapy;
Reflexology;
Underwater hydromassage;
Traction treatment;
Magneto, electro and vibration stimulation;
Ultrasound and laser therapy;
Mobilization vacuum therapy;
Psychotherapy.
Important! At home, it is quite difficult to take into account all the nuances of the rehabilitation period - from training on simulators to strict observance of sleep and wakefulness. Public hospital departments do not always have the necessary equipment or staff. Specialized clinics are often the solution to the problem. Technical devices, instruments and devices of world quality standard enable effective therapy under comfortable and safe conditions under the supervision of close specialists.
Lifestyle with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
To prevent the disease and maintain the general condition of the body of the patient with osteochondrosis, doctors advise:
Correct spinal curvatures and posture disorders in good time.
Actively engage in sports that strengthen muscles and develop a muscle corset.
Follow a diet to maintain normal levels of vitamins, micro- and macronutrients.
Fight obesity.
Make sure that the load is evenly distributed over the spine when something heavy needs to be lifted.
Sit with your back straight and shoulders relaxed.
Choose chairs and armchairs that support your back.
Try to "dilute" the static time when working with walking, warming up, office gymnastics.
Sleep on an orthopedic mattress.
Conclusion
To paraphrase the famous phrase, we can say, "Osteochondrosis is a delicate business. " It is quite easy to get such a disease, but it will take a long time to cure. Knowing the nature of osteochondrosis as a disease will make it easier for a person to navigate treatment issues. Remember: only by contacting a doctor can you competently address this problem without harming yourself.