Every other person suffers from osteochondrosis. What is it, what is the nature of this disease and what to do if you suffer from back pain? We tried to answer all the questions. In this article we will talk about the problem of the thoracic spine.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic pathology of the cartilaginous surfaces of the bones of the musculoskeletal system - vertebrae and discs.
Intervertebral discs are shock absorbers designed to reduce pressure on the spine.
The reason for the massiveness of the disease can be called the predominantly vertical lifestyle of the modern person. He spends most of his time sitting or standing, and the load on his spine increases significantly. So, after a while, the outer shell of the intervertebral disc bursts. The result of this process is the formation of hernias, which compress the blood vessels or the roots of the spinal cord. These changes lead to disturbances in blood circulation, the development of pain syndrome and reflex tension of the back muscles.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
With osteochondrosis, a person may experience pain in the neck, shoulders and arms, back or chest. Often patients do not rush to contact a specialist, but try to determine the root cause of unpleasant sensations on their own. However, this is very dangerous. One has only to imagine: the person suspected heart problems, although in fact he was in pain due to a pinched nerve. And if vice versa?
Bitan! Never self-medicate! Pain of any kind is a reason to visit a doctor in order to determine the correct diagnosis and treatment.
What are the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region?
pain in the chest and between the shoulder blades, which is especially noticeable when raising arms, bending and other physical activities;
the feeling of pain intensifies at night, with deep inhalation and exhalation, as in the case of hypothermia;
the appearance of "goose" on the skin and numbness of certain areas;
itching, tingling, cold feet syndrome;
feeling like the hoop is squeezing your chest.
If a person has noticed at least some of these symptoms, they should definitely consult a neurologist or traumatologist. After hearing the problem, the doctor will perform an initial examination of the spine and determine whether there are problems with cerebral circulation. One of the important steps in diagnosing the disease is referral to a hardware examination. In modern medicine, a number of methods are used, the most accurate of which are recognized as MRI and CT.
Which doctor is treating
In case of osteochondrosis, you must consult a neurologist. After making a presumed diagnosis based on the examination and the results of the analysis and examination, he has the right to refer him to a consultation with a doctor - chiropractor or vertebrologist.
Methods of treatment
So, the diagnosis is made. So, the next stage is to appoint an effective treatment. As a rule, doctors are guided by the specifics of a particular case and approach the choice of methods individually. There are two types of treatment - conservative and surgical. Which of them will be applied to the patient directly 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 dietary supplements prescribed by a doctor;
manual therapy;
traction;
acupuncture;
massage;
Exercise therapy, etc.
Reference. The human body is a subtle, unique system. If one patient was helped by gymnastics, that is not an indication for his appointment to another. The doctor always chooses an individual course based on the physical characteristics of the person.
The main form of treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is considered to be soft manual therapy, and massage, medications, etc. have an auxiliary role.
This is due to the fact that the nutrition of the discs depends on the condition of the muscles surrounding the spine. Moreover, the spinal muscles themselves are an integral cause of pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. The chiropractor, undisturbingly affecting the tissues, helps to normalize the reflexes and muscle tone, eliminates cramps and contractions, releases and distributes the load from the affected discs, which improves the nutrition of intervertebral discs and spinal circulation, and the body's motor functions are restored.
Rehabilitation and lifestyle recovery
Rehabilitation of patients with osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach. Many techniques from different fields of medicine need to be combined to maintain the results of treatment for a long time. For example, in addition to following a therapeutic diet, performing special gymnastic exercises and visiting a chiropractor, the patient should be included in the list of mandatory procedures:
Isometric kinesiotherapy;
Manual therapy;
Reflexology;
Underwater hydromassage;
Traction treatment;
Magneto, electrical and vibrational stimulation;
Ultrasound and laser therapy;
Mobilization vacuum therapy;
Psychotherapy.
Bitan! At home, it is quite difficult to take into account all the nuances of the rehabilitation period - from exercising on simulators to strict adherence to sleep and wakefulness. Public hospital wards do not always have the necessary equipment or staff. The solution to the problem is often specialized clinics. Technical equipment, instruments and equipment of world quality standards enable efficient therapy in comfortable and safe conditions under the supervision of narrow specialists.
Lifestyle in thoracic spine osteochondrosis
To prevent the disease, as well as to maintain the general condition of the patient with osteochondrosis, doctors advise:
Correct spinal curvature and posture disorders in a timely manner.
You are actively involved in sports that will strengthen muscles and develop a muscular corset.
Adhere to a diet to maintain normal levels of vitamins, micro- and macronutrients.
You are struggling with excess weight.
Allow the load to be evenly distributed on the spine if something difficult needs to be lifted.
Sit with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
Choose chairs and armchairs that support your back.
Try to "dilute" static time at work by walking, warming up, office gymnastics.
Sleep on an orthopedic mattress.
Conclusion
To paraphrase a well-known phrase, we can say: "Osteochondrosis is a delicate matter. " Such a disease is quite easy to get, but it will take a long time to heal. Knowing the nature of osteochondrosis as a disease will make it easier for a person to cope with treatment issues. Remember: only by contacting a doctor can you competently approach this problem without harming yourself.