Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

25 January 2024

Osteochondrosis is the erosion of the intervertebral discs, which causes degenerative organic changes in the spine. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is considered the rarest, because this part is the least mobile due to its connection with the ribs. But it occurs most insidiously and seriously and develops earlier than other types. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by an integrated approach and leads to good results. With a competent approach to therapy, a person can regain pain-free mobility, lightness and life.

Reasons

The main factors that lead to the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine include:

Kyphosis and scoliosis. These diseases often accompany a person from birth as an anatomical anomaly. If kyphosis is smoothed, a person may not be aware of its existence for half of his life. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, which causes a violation of the distribution of muscle load. As a result, on the one hand, the muscles will atrophy and relax, and on the other hand, there will be a spasm due to constant tension.
Injuries. They may become apparent when a person injures the vertebrae in a fall, accident, or other similar circumstance. The wounds may not be noticeable. For example, back injuries often occur due to overexertion and heavy lifting in the gym.
Straight legs. Some doctors claim that it is almost the main reason for the development of degenerative changes in any part of the spine. Flat feet disrupt the balance of the muscle corset, improper distribution of the load leads to the depreciation of the vertebrae.
Statically incorrect body position for a long time. As a result of muscle overload, blood circulation and nutrition of muscle tissue deteriorate. That is, they hold the spine. This is the cause of osteochondrosis not only of the chest, but also of the neck and back.
Excess weight and lack of physical activity.
Stress. Stress itself is not as dangerous as the reaction to it. During stress, the adrenal glands produce an excessive amount of adrenaline, which is converted into norepinephrine. It contributes to the thickening of the walls of blood vessels and the progression of atherosclerosis. Under stressful conditions, blood vessels narrow, which leads to poor oxygen supply to muscle tissue.
Alcohol consumption, smoking, use of other drugs and poor diet. Alcohol leaches calcium from bone tissue. Tobacco and other drugs cause blood vessels to malfunction. Serious mistakes in nutrition lead to obesity, lack of B vitamins and minerals.
Improper use of bags and shoes.
Gastrointestinal diseases that affect the quality of absorption of nutrients.
Violation of water-electrolyte balance for a long time.
Pregnancy. Thoracic osteochondrosis often occurs in women who are pregnant with twins or triplets.
Metabolic syndrome.
Autoimmune diseases, infections, intoxications.
A genetic predisposition associated with a genetic mutation. You should not think that a genetic predisposition is necessarily related to the fact that one of your close relatives suffers from osteochondrosis. Often it has nothing to do with genetics. A genetic predisposition is always a mutation of certain genes. But despite this, the disease will develop only in combination with other factors.

The disease can occur both in adulthood and in youth. Every year the disease gets younger. Therefore, it is important to recognize the problem as early as possible by paying attention to the symptoms.

Symptoms

Degenerative changes in the thoracic spine are very disturbing to a person. The chest contains the heart, lungs, internal organs of the abdominal cavity, ribs, and in women, the mammary glands. Symptoms in this place are similar to an angina attack, a heart attack or pain in the stomach, mammary glands or any other nearby organ. Therefore, when osteochondrosis makes itself felt, it is often mistaken for other dangerous pathologies.

Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are related to each other due to two types of clinical picture.

Radicular symptoms

Radicular symptoms:

pain or ache in the shoulders, armpits, or collarbone;
impaired reflexes;
muscle weakness;
pain in the upper thoracic region, like a heart attack, pain in the solar plexus, hypochondrium, mammary glands, upper abdomen or groin.

Reflex signs

Symptoms:

respiratory disorders such as a feeling of lack of air, pain during inhalation and exhalation, difficulty in breathing;
feeling of trembling, "gas buds";
a feeling of disturbance in the work of the gastrointestinal tract: nausea, loss of appetite, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation, bloating;
intercostal neuralgia;
pain in the chest between the shoulder blades, when bending and straightening;
insomnia, feeling tired with insufficient sleep, tiredness;
stiffness of movement in the morning;
deterioration of gait;
irritation;
decreased libido/potency.

Reflex symptoms are more vague than radicular ones and are often misunderstood by doctors. Therefore, it is very important to find a competent doctor who will take the patient's complaints seriously and prescribe the right treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis, especially during an exacerbation.

Diagnostics

The gold standard for the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is a chest MRI and a neurologist's examination.

MRI shows a visual picture of the exact anatomical structure, changes, compression, blood flow and effect on the spinal cord. Also, the study demonstrates the possible complications of the disease, such as protrusions, osteophytes, hernias, and their effect on blood flow.

As before, an examination by a competent doctor plays an important role in making a diagnosis.

Treatment

Many have heard that it is impossible to completely get rid of osteochondrosis, but you can only slow down its development. This is half true. You can get rid of hernias, osteophytes and other complications of the disease. You can regain your life and recover your intervertebral discs without pain or mobility. There is a great chance to stop the destruction process, to return the spine to its previous state as much as possible. Some people were able to get rid of the pathology completely, and some did not. It all depends on the individual and the state of health, readiness to overcome difficulties and patience.

You should be prepared that the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine will take a long time. On average, active participation will take 1-3 months. But even then, life will not be the same again, as regular and proper physical activity is needed for at least one year.

In this case, finances and time are not an excuse to refuse treatment, because you can fight the disease both in the hospital and sanatorium and at home. The most convenient option is in a sanatorium. There, the patient is supported by a group of people with the same problem, but the conditions are positive and comfortable. Medical staff are always polite and caring. There you can relax and receive treatment without a hospital environment, but with all the necessary medical services.

Therapy consists of several stages:

getting rid of pain (wearing a special corset, taking painkillers, undergoing procedures);
restoration of damaged spinal discs and preventive measures against the progression of the disease (physiotherapy, gymnastics, proper nutrition, psychologist's help).

Drug treatment is also used, but is considered a last resort when other methods do not help. In the most severe cases and dangerous hernias, surgery is prescribed.

The most important rule is not to self-medicate or self-diagnose. Mistakes can be very costly.

Treatment at home

If you don't have time or you don't have enough funds for treatment in a clinic or sanatorium, you can get effective results to get rid of osteochondrosis at home. The following recommendations will help you cope with the disease.

Nutrition

During the restoration of excess weight and cartilage tissue, it is necessary to include in the diet foods that help speed up metabolism. It is important that the food you eat is rich in nutrients, trace elements, antioxidants, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and is easy to digest.

It is necessary to eat 4-5 times a day every 2, 5-3 hours, preferably at the same time. Portions should not exceed 300 g in order not to overload the stomach and liver. Three meals should contain 26-30 g of protein. Protein is essential for building muscle tissue. Thus, the metabolism will accelerate, the body will stop accumulating fat, and the cells will receive constant nutrition.

The first breakfast and dinner should be mostly protein. For example, egg white and cucumber. The main principle of the first and last meals is the absence of insulin spikes, which are achieved by eliminating carbohydrates. Although cucumber is a carbohydrate, it has a low glycemic index. Protein without a small amount of fat and carbohydrates is indigestible.

Physical exercise

Physical exercise is an integral part of the treatment of osteochondrosis of any part of the spine. The following techniques may be included:

Gymnastics developed by scientist Yuri Guscho. It includes dynamic and static elements of yoga. It also recommends performing hardening procedures. If you're interested, you can read his book, 12 Keys to Longevity Security, where he talks about what to do to live as long as possible while being active. It makes sense to trust him, because Yuri independently got out of a wheelchair and recovered from coxarthrosis. He has many awards, thanks from the President of the Russian Federation.
Gymnastics using Dr. Bubnovsky's technologies. His technique is quite effective and can be done at home. A collection of exercises can be found on the Internet in video format, and books with complete instructions are also available.
Pool. Swimming not only helps you lose weight, but also strengthens your heart, lungs and back muscles.
Isometric gymnastics. This type of training is designed for astronauts returning home for the first time. Exercises allow you to restore weakened muscles, restore flexibility and ease of movement without harming the joints. Gymnastics is indicated for many pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, including osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Walks outdoors. It is advisable to spend an hour every day for intensive walks, preferably in park areas or along the coast. The goal is to improve brain circulation, muscle nutrition and mood.
Exercises to correct posture.

Complete relaxation

It is important to develop the habit of sleeping and waking up at the same time. Ideally, you should sleep at 9 pm and wake up at 5-6 am. During this period, the brain manages to restore the functioning of the body's internal systems, the psyche and process all the information it received the day before. This is especially important for spinal health.

You need to choose the right mattress and pillow for sleeping. It is better to forget about very soft or hard options.

Treatment in a hospital or sanatorium

Manual therapy

It affects the patient's body with the help of hands to restore metabolism and give the spine the right shape. The procedure consists of manipulations to restore joint functions, relaxing massage to relieve pain and muscle tension, mobilization to improve blood circulation and relaxation.

The treatment period is about 3 months.

Massage

In the treatment of degenerative changes in the thoracic spine, both classical therapeutic and acupressure massage types are used. The massage therapist works with the muscle fibers of the upper back and shoulders to affect the thoracic region.

Mineral baths

During the procedure, the hemodynamics of the body changes. This means that the direction of blood from the center to the periphery, and from there to the heart, passes it through all organs and tissues. Thus, the following effects are obtained:

blood circulation improves;
the nervous system is strengthened;
The respiratory system and kidneys work better;
adaptive properties of the body increase;
reducing inflammation;
relief from pain;
removal of toxins;
skin sensitivity increases.

The chemical composition of the water affects the effect of the mineral bath on the body of a patient suffering from osteochondrosis. Water temperature affects muscle relaxation and metabolic processes.

Acupuncture

Also, this procedure is called acupuncture or acupuncture. Its essence is to affect the biological points of the human body with the help of needles. Long and short sterile needles are inserted to a depth of 15 mm and left for half an hour.

This seemingly simple procedure has proven itself all over the world. Patient reviews show the following effects after completing acupuncture procedures:

rest;
cessation of tinnitus and dizziness;
increasing energy potential;
improved blood flow;
improvement of thought processes;
get rid of headache;
elimination of muscle spasms.

Laser therapy

The advantage of laser therapy is to improve the penetration of drugs and normalize the adaptive properties of the body. During the procedure, laser beams in a certain range are exposed to the areas of the spine that need treatment. As a result of exposure, anti-inflammatory effect, normalization of metabolism in the affected area, improvement of general well-being, tissue regeneration process begins and degeneration process stops.

As a result of completing the full course of procedures as part of complex therapy, the degenerative process can be completely reversed.

Mud therapy

This procedure is beneficial not only for the spine, but for the whole body. The only thing is that it cannot be used in the acute stage of osteochondrosis.

The effect of mud therapy includes improvement of trophism of formations in intervertebral joints, vascular function, adaptation and recovery processes. Also, the work of the nervous system normalizes, pain disappears.

Work with a psychologist

Since a person with osteochondrosis experiences constant stress, anxiety often develops. A psychologist not only helps to get rid of them, but also stimulates in moments of despair and fatigue. A positive attitude plays an important role in treatment.

Exercise therapy

The treatment procedure is carried out in groups of several people and includes exercises taking into account the patient's individual characteristics and medical history. The main focus is on improving joint function and strengthening the muscle corset. Full recovery is unlikely without exercise.

Nordic walking

This is one of the most effective types of physical activity for osteochondrosis and is gaining more and more popularity every year.

When walking with poles, 90% of the muscles are toned, calories are actively burned, the load is evenly distributed throughout the body, the cardiovascular system is strengthened, the functioning of the intestines is improved, the nervous system and psyche are strengthened, the functions of the respiratory system are improved, insomnia disappears, blood vessels are strengthened, a strong corset forms around the thoracic spine.

Drug therapy

Drug therapy is used only in the acute stage of osteochondrosis and when other treatment methods are ineffective.

At the height of the disease, pain relievers, as well as drugs that accelerate metabolic processes, are prescribed. Medicines in the form of both tablets and injections help.

Prescribed drug groups:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that also relieve pain. It is available in the form of creams, tablets and ampoules for intravenous or subcutaneous administration.
Vasodilators. During muscle tension and severe pain, vasoconstriction occurs, as a result of which blood pressure rises, and oxygen delivery to the brain can become difficult. Vasodilators return the vascular tone to normal.
Muscle relaxants. This group of drugs is designed to relax and calm tense muscles. This effect triggers a chain of beneficial changes, such as improving blood circulation, regulating vascular tone, and relieving pain. When blood flow is normalized, damaged tissues recover faster.
Chondroprotectors and B vitamins. These are drugs that restore cartilage tissue and stop the destruction process.
A complex of sedatives. The stress of pain makes the pain worse. Irritation and anxiety activate the sympathetic nervous system, which causes muscles and blood vessels to tighten. Tranquilizers and sometimes antidepressants can break this vicious cycle.

As you can see, it is necessary to approach the treatment of osteochondrosis comprehensively, learning all the nuances. It is better to turn to experts and thereby protect yourself from mistakes.