One in two people suffer from osteochondrosis. What is it, what is the nature of this ailment and what to do if you have back pain? We have tried to answer all questions. In this article we will 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 discs.
Intervertebral discs are shock absorbers designed to 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. Then, after a while, the outer shell of the intervertebral disc breaks. 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 impaired 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 are not in a hurry to contact 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 if it actually hurts a pinched nerve. And if vice versa?
Important! Never self-medicate! Pain of any kind is a reason to visit 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 raising the arms, bending over and other physical activities;
pain sensations intensify at night, with deep inhalation and exhalation, as well as in case of hypothermia;
the appearance of "goosebumps" on the skin and numbness of its individual areas;
itching, burning, cold feet syndrome;
feeling like a circle squeezing a breast.
If a person has noticed at least some of these symptoms, they should definitely consult a neurologist or traumatologist. After listening to the complaints, the doctor will carry out an initial examination of the spine and determine if there are problems with cerebral circulation. One of the important steps in diagnosing a disease is referral for a hardware exam. In modern medicine, a number of methods are used, the most accurate of which are recognized as MRI and CT.
Which doctor treats
With osteochondrosis, it is necessary to consult a neurologist. Having made a presumptive diagnosis on the basis of the examination and the results of analyzes and examinations, he has the right to refer him for consultation to a narrower doctor - a chiropractor or vertebrologist.
Methods of treatment
Then, the diagnosis was made. Then the next stage is the appointment of effective treatment. As a rule, doctors are guided by the specifics of a particular case and individually approach the choice of methods. There are two types of treatment: conservative and surgical. Which of them will be 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 dietary supplements prescribed by a doctor;
manual therapy;
traction;
acupuncture;
massage;
Physical therapy, etc.
Reference. The human body is a subtle and unique system. If a patient was helped by gymnastics, this is not an indication for him to be appointed to another. The attending physician always chooses an individual course based on the physical characteristics of the person.
The main type of treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is considered to be soft manual therapy and massage, medication, etc. They play 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. Furthermore, the spinal muscles themselves are an integral cause of pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. A chiropractor, acting gently on the tissues, helps normalize reflexes and muscle tone, eliminates spasms and clamps, relieves and distributes the load from the affected discs, as a result of which the nutrition of the intervertebral discs and spinal circulation and the body improves motor functions are restored.
Lifestyle rehabilitation and recovery
Rehabilitation of patients with osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach. To keep the result of treatment for a long time, it is necessary to combine many techniques from various fields of medicine. 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 kinesitherapy;
Manual therapy;
reflexology;
Underwater hydromassage;
Traction treatment;
Magnetic, electric and vibratory 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 exercise on simulators to strict adherence to sleep and wakefulness. Wards in public hospitals do not always have the necessary equipment or staff. The solution to the problem are often specialized clinics. Technical equipment, tools and equipment of world quality standards allow you to undergo effective therapy in comfortable and safe conditions under the supervision of narrow specialists.
Lifestyle with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
To prevent the disease, in addition to maintaining the general condition of the patient's body with osteochondrosis, doctors recommend:
Promptly correct spinal curvature and posture disorders.
Actively engage in sports, which will strengthen muscles and develop a muscular corset.
Follow a diet to maintain normal levels of vitamins, micro and macronutrients.
Fight excess weight.
Provide an even distribution of load on the spine if you need to lift something heavy.
Sit with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
Choose chairs and armchairs that support your back.
Try to "dilute" the static time at work with walking, warming up, gymnastics in the office.
Sleep on an orthopedic mattress.
Conclusion
To paraphrase the famous phrase, we can say: "Osteochondrosis is a sensitive issue". It is quite easy to acquire such ailment, but it will take a long time to heal. Knowing the nature of osteochondrosis as a disease, it will be easier for a person to navigate the problems of treatment. Remember: only by contacting a doctor, you can competently cope with this problem without harming yourself.