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 in the intervertebral discs.The pathological process quickly affects 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 - starting from 35 years old.

The main problem in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is its insidiousness.The disease successfully masks itself under 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, if left 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 age of the patient, the degree and stage (acute or 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 feature of the disease is the pain that occurs when taking a deep breath, if you completely inhale the air and hold your breath for a few seconds.For osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, two types of pain are specific:

• Dorsago - acute attacks of pain that pass quickly (usually torment at night, when bending and turning the body, or under strain);
• dorsalgia - mild pain that lasts up to 3 weeks, which disappears when the patient "walks".

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

Significant symptoms and sensations during the 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 “surround” the chest, radiating to the armpit or collarbone.Some patients are also bothered by aching shoulder pain at rest.
   Unlike angina pectoris and other “cardiac” pains, which last from 3-5 minutes to an hour, thoracalgia with thoracic osteochondrosis can last weeks and months, sometimes intensifying for several days, and then subside.Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis with drugs “from the heart” does not bring results. 
2. "Goosebumps" on the chest.The sensation occurs most often in the upper part of the thoracic region, in the muscle fibers.It may be accompanied by a feeling of numbness and decreased sensation (both in the chest and in the central part 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 the internal organs.Sharp, stabbing pain 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 such symptoms occur, for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine it is better to visit a neurologist and only then contact specialized doctors to avoid making an incorrect diagnosis.
4. Reflex disorders.With thoracic osteochondrosis, they are often expressed in rhythmic contractions 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 bend and curve.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 of lack of air or tightness in the chest are the most common symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.Treatment begins with the patient complaining of cough, which is why patients assume they have pneumonia.
7. Instability of the psycho-emotional sphere.People undergoing the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine become more irritable, suffer from constant tiredness 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, bloating, flatulence, heartburn, irregular bowel movements, 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 controlling the symptoms and treating thoracic osteochondrosis with drugs with a visit to an orthopedist or neurologist. 
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in men can similarly resolve potency and urination problems 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 physiologically not very mobile, on the contrary, they must provide stability to the chest organs.Therefore, their intervertebral discs are less susceptible to wear, injury and cracking, and vertebral displacements 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 sporting;
• bad posture and other deformations of the musculoskeletal system;
• undeveloped muscle corset and poor physical fitness;
• overweight;
• prolonged sedentary work without warming up (for example, working while driving or in front of a computer);
• back injuries (not only the chest, but also other parts);
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• bad habits;
• infections;
• hypothermia;
• hormonal disorders;
• chronic stress;
• Excessive salt consumption and lack of habit of drinking water are the causes of long-term disturbances in the salt balance in the body;
• incorrect selection of shoes and incorrect transportation of bags and other heavy objects.

Other causes of thoracic osteochondrosis, unfortunately not completely eliminated: 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 symptoms and sensations indicative for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.Only a doctor can evaluate 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, the first signs of degenerative processes in the vertebral joints may appear already at the age of 15. 

Fortunately, you can start shaping your posture and treating thoracic osteochondrosis even at age 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 is fraught with serious consequences:

• pathologies in the intestine, dyskinesia of the gallbladder;
• increased risk of heart attack, ischemia and angina;
• hernias and protrusions of the spinal cord;
• malfunctions of the liver, kidneys and pancreas;
• a tendency to pneumonia and other lung diseases 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 condition, drugs and techniques to relieve spasm are used, incl.strengthen your back muscles.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region with drugs in the acute phase of the disease takes from 1 to 3 months;in the future, permanent adherence to simple rules is required to maintain remission.If there are no indications for hospitalization, maintenance therapy is carried out on an outpatient basis and does not require large costs.

In cases of advanced osteochondrosis, spinal cord hernias and other potentially dangerous conditions, surgery is prescribed to decompress and stabilize the spine (microdiscectomy, foraminotomy, laminectomy).Postoperative treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in the hospital 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 is used:

• Magnetic laser therapy. Helps relieve pain, swelling and inflammation, increases humoral immunity.The course consists of 14 daily sessions of 10-15 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 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 8-15 procedures for 10-20 minutes.
• Ultrasound therapy (optional - with glucocorticosteroids).Provides a 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 of 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 journey and the impact depend on the composition of the bath or therapeutic mixture.
• Hydromassage. Improves tissue nutrition and nerve conduction, promotes relaxation of spasming 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 the innervation of the 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 are held daily or every other day. 
• Traction methods. Used for non-surgical elimination of hernias and bumps, combating numbness in the limbs and forceps.They help 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 is 10-12 sessions, it may need to be repeated.
• Manual therapy. Improves blood circulation in the spinal cord, helps fight fainting.It restores the anatomically correct position of the spine, favors the treatment of hernias and protrusions.Eliminates spasms and tension in the thoracic region.The course involves a minimum of 10-15 sessions lasting from a few minutes to an hour.

In addition to physical therapy and drug treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis, patients may need to work with 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 advised 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 therapeutic (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 mobility and normalizes the tone of the muscle corset.Massage also increases the effect of treating thoracic osteochondrosis with drugs.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in male drivers and operators involves the use of massage devices: pillows and seat covers, pillows, hand massagers.

Gymnastics for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

The first lasting effect of physical 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.It is not allowed to perform exercises in case of pain and severe fatigue, as well as sudden movements that can damage the joint and adjacent tissues.It is very important to perform exercises for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis daily, or better yet, 3-5 times a day, at least 5 repetitions each.

1. Stand straight, feet together, arms alongside your body.As you exhale, raise your arms and as you inhale, bend backwards.Lower your arms and bend 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 off 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 bend backwards, lifting your chest off the floor.
5. Lying on your stomach, extend your arms along your body.Bend your chest forming a "boat": at the same time lift your legs and head high.

In addition to the gymnastics proposed for the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis, patients benefit from Nordic walking, yoga, cycling and water sports (swimming, diving, aqua aerobics).Don't forget to give relief to your spine during the day: don't sit in the same position for more than 2 hours and, during your lunch break, try lying down on a flat surface for 40 minutes.Stretch, stand, bend 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 body position when carrying out household chores - try to spend as little time as possible in inclined positions, if possible, sit upright if long-term household chores are necessary.

Pharmacological treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis with drugs is complex and multi-vector.Patients are prescribed:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).They are taken orally, in cycles of approximately 10-12 days, used externally (gels, ointments, creams - without restrictions) or in the form of injections.Keep in mind that most NSAIDs can damage the stomach lining when taken by mouth.It is therefore recommended to take them together 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 together with analgesics in the form of an injection block.

   The selection of glucocorticoid and its dosage are carried out exclusively by the attending physician.Drugs in this group, if 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 drugs.They must be taken annually, every 3 to 6 months.This will help reduce inflammation, avoid further deterioration of the intervertebral discs and improve the flexibility of the back.

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, causing their further destruction and weakening of cartilage tissue.In addition, prolonged tension leads to the destruction (atrophy) of muscle tissue and an increased load on the joint.To avoid 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 at fighting inflammation.They are also necessary to maintain the strength and elasticity of the cartilaginous tissue: they prevent the formation of cracks and chips and improve its shock-absorbing characteristics.

6. Diuretics.These injectable drugs are used for emergency treatment of nerve root swelling.They help avoid 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 one's body.

8. Angioprotectors and correctors of blood microcirculation.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 in 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

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

The diet includes a protein breakfast (eggs, dairy products) and dinner (boiled, stewed, baked fish, 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.Consumption regime: 2 liters of clean water per day.