Every second 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 try to provide answers to all questions. In this article, we are going to 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 relieve pressure on the spine.
The reason for the seriousness 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. Then, after a while, the outer shell of the intervertebral disc breaks off. 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 impaired blood circulation, the development of pain syndrome, and reflex tension in 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 are in no hurry to get in touch with a specialist, but try to independently determine the root cause of the unpleasant sensations. However, this is very dangerous. Just imagine: a person suspects heart problems even though it actually hurts with a pinched nerve. And if it's the other way around?
Important! Never self-medicate! Pain of any kind is a reason to see a doctor to determine the exact diagnosis and method of 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 lifting the arms, bending over, and other physical activities;
pain sensations are intensified at night, with deep inspiration and expiration, as well as in case of hypothermia;
the appearance of "shivering" in the skin and numbness of its individual areas;
cold, itchy, burning feet syndrome;
feeling like a bow squeezing the chest.
If a person has noticed at least some of these symptoms, they should definitely see a neurologist or traumatologist. After hearing the complaints, the doctor will do a first examination of the spine and determine if there are problems with the cerebral circulation. One of the important steps in diagnosing a disease is referral for a hardware exam. In modern medicine, several methods are used, the most accurate of which are recognized as MRI and CT scan.
which doctor treats
With osteochondrosis, you need to see a neurologist. Having made a presumptive diagnosis based on the examination and the results of tests and examinations, he has the right to refer you to a more restricted doctor - a chiropractor or vertebrologist.
treatment methods
So the diagnosis was made. Therefore, the next step is the indication of an effective treatment. As a rule, physicians 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 one will be applied to the patient depends directly on the severity of the disease, the presence of internal resources of the body, as well as the indications and contraindications.
What are the most common conservative methods:
taking medications and dietary supplements prescribed by a physician;
manual therapy;
traction;
acupuncture;
massage;
Exercise therapy, etc.
Reference. The human body is a subtle and unique system. If a patient was assisted by gymnastics, this is not an indication for his consultation with another. The attending physician always selects an individual course based on the person's physical characteristics.
The main type of treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is considered gentle manual therapy, and massage, medication, etc. play an auxiliary role.
This is because disc nutrition depends on the condition of the muscles surrounding the spine. Furthermore, the spinal muscles themselves are an integral cause of pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. A chiropractor, gently affecting the tissues, helps to normalize reflexes and muscle tone, eliminate spasms and cramps, relieve and distribute the load on the affected discs, as a result of which the nutrition of the intervertebral discs and spinal circulation improves, and the body motor functions are restored.
Rehabilitation and Lifestyle Recovery
Rehabilitation of patients with osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach. To maintain the treatment result for a long time, it is necessary to combine several techniques from different areas of medicine. For example, in addition to following a therapeutic diet, performing special gymnastics 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;
Magnetic, electrical and vibratory stimulation;
Ultrasound and laser therapy;
Vacuum mobilization therapy;
Psychotherapy.
Important! At home, it is very difficult to take into account all the nuances of the rehabilitation period – from exercises on simulators to strict adherence to sleep and wakefulness. Public hospital departments do not always have the necessary equipment and personnel. The solution to the problem is usually specialized clinics. Technical equipment, instruments and equipment of world quality standards allow effective therapy in comfortable and safe conditions under the supervision of restricted specialists.
Lifestyle with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
To prevent the disease, as well as to maintain the general state of the patient's body with osteochondrosis, doctors advise:
Correct spinal curvature and posture disorders in a timely manner.
Play sports actively, which will strengthen your muscles and develop a muscular corset.
Follow a diet to maintain normal levels of vitamins, micro and macronutrients.
Fight excess weight.
Provides an even distribution of load across the column if anything heavy needs to be lifted.
Sit with your back straight and shoulders relaxed.
Choose chairs and armchairs that support your back.
Try to "dilute" static time at work with walking, warming up, and office gymnastics.
Sleep on an orthopedic mattress.
Conclusion
To paraphrase the famous phrase, we can say: "Osteochondrosis is a delicate matter. "It is very easy to get such a disease, 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 navigate treatment issues. Remember: only by contacting a doctor can you approach this problem competently, without getting hurt.