One in two people suffers from osteochondrosis. What is it, what is the nature of this ailment and what to do if you suffer from back pain? We try to answer all questions. In this article we will 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 massiveness of the disease can be called the predominantly vertical lifestyle of a modern person. You spend most of your time sitting or standing, and the load on your spine increases significantly. So after a while the outer layer of the intervertebral disc cracks. The result of this process is the formation of hernias, which squeeze 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 feel pain in the neck, shoulders and arms, back, or chest. Often, patients are not in a hurry to contact a specialist, but they try to independently determine the root cause of the unpleasant sensations. However, this is very dangerous. One has only to imagine: a person with suspected heart problems, although it actually hurts with a pinched nerve. What if the other way around?
Important! Never self-medicate! Pain of any kind is a reason to visit a doctor to determine the exact method of diagnosis and 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 doing other physical activities;
pain sensations intensify at night, with deep inhalation and exhalation, as well as in case of hypothermia;
the appearance of "goose bumps" on the skin and numbness of its individual areas;
itching, burning, cold feet syndrome;
feeling like a ring squeezing a chest.
If a person has noticed at least some of these symptoms, they should definitely consult a neurologist or orthopedic surgeon. After listening to the complaints, the doctor will conduct 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, various methods are used, the most accurate of which are recognized as MRI and CT.
Which doctor treats
With osteochondrosis, you need to consult a neurologist. Having made a presumptive diagnosis on the basis of the examination and the results of the analyzes and examinations, you have the right to refer him for a consultation with a more specific doctor - a chiropractor or vertebrologist.
Treatment methods
So, the diagnosis has been made. So, the next stage is the appointment of effective treatment. As a general rule, doctors are guided by the details of a particular case and approach the choice of methods individually. There are two types of treatment: conservative and surgical. Which of them will be applied to the patient directly 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;
Exercise therapy, etc.
Reference. The human body is a subtle and unique system. If a patient received help from gymnastics, this is not an indication for her appointment with another. The treating physician always selects 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 gentle manual therapy, and massage, medications, etc. , play an auxiliary role.
This is due to the fact that the nutrition of the discs depends on the state 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, eliminates spasms and clamps, relieves and distributes the load of the affected discs, as a result of which improves the nutrition of the intervertebral discs and circulation spinal, and the body restores motor functions.
Rehabilitation and lifestyle recovery
Rehabilitation of patients with osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach. To maintain 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, electrical 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 in simulators to strict compliance with sleep and wakefulness. Public hospital departments do not always have the necessary equipment or staff. The solution to the problem is usually specialized clinics. World-class standard technical equipment, instruments and equipment enable effective therapy to be undergone in safe and comfortable conditions under the supervision of limited specialists.
Lifestyle with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
To prevent the disease, as well as to maintain the general condition of the body of the patient with osteochondrosis, doctors recommend:
Correct spinal curvature and posture disorders in a timely manner.
Actively play sports, which will strengthen muscles and develop a muscular corset.
Eat a diet to maintain normal levels of vitamins, micro, and macronutrients.
Fight against excess weight.
Provide even load distribution on column if heavy lifting is necessary.
Sit with a straight back and relaxed shoulders.
Choose chairs and couches that support your back.
Try to "dilute" static time at work with walks, warm-ups, and gymnastics at the office.
Sleep on an orthopedic mattress.
conclusion
Paraphrasing the famous phrase, we can say: "Osteochondrosis is a delicate matter. "It is quite easy to get such a condition, 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 tackle this problem without hurting yourself.