Every second person suffers from osteochondrosis. What is it, what is the nature of this disease, and what if you suffer from back pain? We try to answer all questions. In this article, we will discuss the thoracic spine.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic pathology of the bones of the musculoskeletal system-the cartilage surfaces of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
Intervertebral discs are shock absorbers designed to reduce pressure on the spine.
The cause of the severity of this disease can be called the main vertical lifestyle of modern people. He sits or stands most of the time, and the load on his spine increases significantly. So, after a while, the outer shell of the intervertebral disc will rupture. The result of this process is the formation of a hernia, which squeezes the blood vessels or roots of the spinal cord. These changes lead to impaired blood circulation, the development of pain syndromes, and tight reflexes in the back muscles.
Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis, a person may experience pain in the neck, shoulders and arms, back or chest. Usually, patients are not eager to contact a specialist, but try to independently determine the root cause of the unpleasant feeling. However, this is very dangerous. Just imagine: a person suspects a heart problem, but in reality, it will be painful due to nervous tension. What if the other way around?
important! Do not self-medicate! Any type of pain is the reason to see a doctor to determine the exact diagnosis and treatment.
What are the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis?
Pain between the chest and shoulder blades, especially when raising arms, bending over, and other physical activities;
Pain worsens at night, deep inhales and exhales, and hypothermia;
"Goose bumps" and numbness in individual areas appear on the skin;
Itching, burning, cold feet syndrome;
It feels like a hoop squeezing the chest.
If a person notices at least some of these symptoms, he should definitely consult a neurologist or traumatologist. After listening to the complaint, the doctor will conduct a preliminary examination of the spine to determine whether there is a cerebral circulation problem. One of the important steps in diagnosing a disease is referral for hardware inspection. In modern medicine, a variety of methods are used, the most accurate of which are considered to be MRI and CT.
Which doctor treats
For osteochondrosis, you need to consult a neurologist. After making a presumptive diagnosis based on the results of the examination, analysis and examination, he has the right to refer him to a smaller doctor-a chiropractor or a spine specialist.
Approach
Thus, the diagnosis is established. So the next stage is to make an appointment for effective treatment. Usually, doctors will be guided by the specific circumstances of a particular case and choose the method individually. There are two types of treatment-conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Which of these will be directly applied to the patient depends on the severity of the disease, the presence of internal resources in the body, and indications and contraindications.
What are the most common conservative methods:
Take medicines and dietary supplements prescribed by your doctor;
Manual therapy
Traction
acupuncture;
massage;
Exercise therapy, etc.
refer to. The human body is a delicate and unique system. If a patient is assisted by gymnastics, this does not mean that the patient has been appointed as another patient. The attending physician always chooses individual courses according to the person's physical characteristics.
The main treatment for thoracic spine osteochondrosis is considered to be soft manipulation therapy, with massage and medicine playing an auxiliary role.
This is because the nutrition of the intervertebral disc depends on the condition of the muscles around the spine. In addition, the spinal muscles themselves are an important cause of pain in thoracic osteochondrosis. The chiropractor smoothly affects the tissues, helps normalize reflexes and muscle tension, eliminates spasm and clamping, reduces and distributes the load on the affected intervertebral disc, thereby improving the nutrition of the intervertebral disc and spinal circulation, as well as the recovery of the body's movement function.
Rehabilitation and lifestyle restoration
The rehabilitation of patients with osteochondrosis involves a comprehensive approach. In order to maintain the therapeutic effect for a long time, it is necessary to combine a variety of technologies in various fields of medicine. For example, in addition to following a therapeutic diet, performing special gymnastics, and visiting a chiropractor, patients should also be included in the list of mandatory procedures:
Isometric exercise therapy;
Manual therapy
Reflexology
Underwater hydromassage;
Traction therapy;
Magnetic, electrical and vibration stimulation;
Ultrasound and laser treatment;
Mobilize negative pressure therapy;
Psychotherapy.
important! At home, it is difficult to consider all the nuances of the rehabilitation period-from exercising on a simulator to strictly observing sleep and wakefulness. Departments in public hospitals do not always have the necessary equipment or personnel. The solution to the problem is usually a specialized clinic. Technical equipment, instruments and equipment that meet world quality standards allow effective treatment under comfortable and safe conditions under the supervision of narrowly defined experts.
The lifestyle of thoracic osteochondrosis
In order to prevent this disease and maintain the general health of patients with osteochondrosis, doctors recommend:
Correct spine curvature and postural disorders in time.
Actively participate in sports, which will strengthen muscles and develop muscular corsets.
Follow a diet to maintain normal levels of vitamins, micronutrients and macronutrients.
Fight against excess weight.
If you need to lift heavy objects, distribute the load evenly on the spine.
Sit up straight with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
Choose chairs and armchairs that can support your back.
Try to "dilute" the static time at work by walking, warming up, and office gymnastics.
Sleep on an orthopedic mattress.
in conclusion
To paraphrase this famous saying, we can say: "Osteochondrosis is a delicate thing. " It is easy to get this disease, but it takes a long time to cure. Understanding the nature of osteochondrosis as a disease will make it easier for people to solve treatment problems. Remember: only by contacting a doctor can you be competent to solve this problem without hurting yourself.