Osteochondrosis of the breast is a difficult disease to diagnose. It is less common in lesions of the cervical and lumbosacral spine, as the thoracic vertebrae are inactive. Due to the proximity of important internal organs to the spine, it is not always possible to immediately make an accurate diagnosis: according to the symptoms of serious heart disease, large vessels, lungs are close to osteochondrosis - and vice versa: osteochondrosis can manifest as pulmonary or cardiacsymptoms.
The pain can be lingering, radiating to the shoulders, under the shoulder blades in the form of lumbago, intensified by deep breathing. Possible painful pain in the chest, manifested by awkward posture, tilting the body. The pain in the left side of the chest resembles a heart attack, and in the right hypochondrium - cholecystitis. The paravertebral muscles are usually tense, there are frequent complaints of tingling, creeping crawls in the chest, abdomen and arms.
The spinal canal in the thoracic region is quite narrow, so even small hernias or protrusions formed in osteochondrosis can compress the spinal cord. All this impairs the quality of life, affects productivity, the emotional sphere.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the breast should be timely and competent to prevent progression of the disease and the development of complications. You should know that it is impossible to completely cure thoracic osteochondrosis. But it is quite possible to make sure that the disease gives a person a minimum of problems. It is important to change your lifestyle, to introduce new habits, possible physical activity, to follow the recommendations for treatment. And then osteochondrosis will not be felt.
Risk factors for the development of osteochondrosis of the breast
- Sedentary way of life. Osteochondrosis affects people with sedentary work, forced posture in the workplace, such as a computer desk, sewing machine, people who do not recognize physical activity. The muscles supporting the spine are hypotrophied and the static load on it increases.
- Overweight. The greater the weight, the greater the load on each vertebra.
- Smoking. This bad habit leads to disruption of blood supply to tissues, including vertebrates.
- Excessive, improperly dosed physical activity. This includes frequent lifting and carrying weights, jumping and running.
- Posture disorders, scoliosis. These diseases of the spine lead to degenerative changes in the discs, muscle tension.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest
- Drug therapy:
- anti-inflammatory drugs - relieve pain and swelling of soft tissues. Topical forms in the form of gels, ointments, creams may be useful in intercostal neuralgia;
- anesthetics - injected paravertebral to block pain and relieve muscle spasm;
- glucocorticosteroids - these hormonal drugs are used in the form of paravertebral blocks when other drugs are ineffective;
- muscle relaxants - relieve painful muscle spasms;
- antidepressants - help relieve psycho-emotional stress inherent in osteochondrosis;
- B vitamins - nourish nerve formations, thus fighting neurological disorders. In the treatment of osteochondrosis are used preparations containing vitamins B1, B6 and B12;
- chondroprotectors - are able to some extent to stop the process of destruction of intervertebral discs, to improve bone metabolism. It is better to inject them directly into the paravertebral tissues, as oral medications must be taken for a long time and in high doses.
- Physiotherapy. Physiotherapeutic methods act locally on the focus of the disease - relieve pain, cramps, improve blood circulation, tissue nutrition. In osteochondrosis of the chest, the doctor may prescribe magnetic therapy, electrophoresis, UHF, laser therapy.
- Massage. Massage is performed on the area of the collar, chest, arms. In case of exacerbation, it is recommended to start the massage not from the first day, but in the beginning to be performed moderately. It is necessary to achieve relaxation of spasmodic muscles. In the period when there is no pain, the massage technique becomes different - the techniques are more intense. In addition to the usual, you can perform point effects. In the case of thoracic osteochondrosis are useful manual and vacuum massage, vibration massage. These species can be combined or alternated.
- Physiotherapy. Performing special therapeutic exercises daily will help prevent or reduce the incidence of exacerbations of osteochondrosis of the breast. For example, you can do the following exercises:
- while sitting on a chair, put your hands behind your head and inhale, then gather your shoulder blades together, touching the back of the chair (exhale). Repeat 10-15 times;
- stand on all fours and slowly bend your back like a cat, stay in this position for a few seconds. Then bend your back up and also stay in this position. Repeat 15-20 times;
- lying down, raise your head and straight arms lying along the body up, hold them for a few seconds, return to starting position. Repeat 7-10 times;
- lying on your back, raise straight legs to a height of 20-30 cm, hold for 15-20 seconds. Repeat 10 times;
- Unloading the spine. It is performed on a special table, massage bed with rollers. Underwater traction is also possible. The soft tissues are stretched, at the same time the intervertebral discs are unloaded.
- Postisometric relaxation. It is performed by a masseur or rehabilitation therapist who knows this technique. The method allows you to relax the spasmodic muscles of the back.
- Acupuncture. It allows you to relieve muscle spasm and reduce pain.
- Hirudotherapy. With the help of biologically active substances released by the leech, blood flow is improved, the pain syndrome is reduced and the inflammation of the soft tissues is stopped.
What you can do yourself to prevent and treat osteochondrosis of the chest
- Try to avoid static poses. If you are sitting in front of a computer or work machine, take a break by warming up every hour and a half. Stretch, do breathing exercises, bend your head forward, backward, sideways, remove your arms, bend your torso. The work chair should have a comfortable backrest that follows the curves of the spine. You can put a special orthopedic pillow on it. The seat should be firm and the height of the chair should be equal to the length of the lower leg. There are requirements for the table - the table is normally at the level of the elbow of the folded arm.
- It is recommended to sleep on an orthopedic mattress to observe the natural curves of the spine.
- It is not recommended to carry excessive weights, but if necessary, squat or kneel to lift the weight off the floor. Wear the garment with a straight back, distributing it evenly on both hands.
- In osteochondrosis it is necessary to maintain body weight, eat less fried, fatty foods, to exclude carbonated beverages and alcohol.
- Sports such as swimming and skiing are very useful. Exercise regularly.
The optimal course of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis should include several methods that complement each other. The treatment program is formed individually. It is important to relieve pain, improve tissue nutrition, relieve intervertebral discs, relax spasmodic muscles and strengthen the muscular corset. For these purposes, therapy should be carried out repeatedly and at least twice a year, supplemented by daily therapeutic exercises, systematic swimming and spa treatment.
Which doctor to go to
If you experience symptoms of osteochondrosis of the breast, you should consult a neurologist. Usually an additional examination by a neurosurgeon is prescribed, if necessary - a therapist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, pulmonologist to rule out concomitant diseases. Physical methods are important in the treatment of the disease, so it will be useful to consult a nutritionist, specialist in physiotherapy, physiotherapy and massage.