One in two people suffer from osteochondrosis. What is it, what is the nature of this disease and what to do if you suffer from back pain? We have tried to give answers to all questions. In this article, we are going to talk about the problem of the thoracic spine.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic pathology of the cartilage 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 way of life of a modern person. He spends most of the time sitting or standing, and the load on the spine increases dramatically. So, after some time, the outer shell of the intervertebral disc cracks. 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 in no hurry to contact a specialist, but independently try to determine the root cause of the unpleasant sensations. However, this is very dangerous. Just imagine: a person suspects heart problems, although in fact he suffers from a pinched nerve. What if it was the other way around?
Important! Never heal yourself! Pain of any kind is a reason to see 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, especially noticeable when raising the arms, flexing and other physical activities;
painful sensations intensify at night, with deep inspiration and expiration, as well as with hypothermia;
the appearance of "goose bumps" on the skin and numbness of its individual areas;
itching, burning, cold foot syndrome;
feeling like a hoop clutching a chest.
If a person has noticed at least some of these symptoms, they should definitely see a neurologist or trauma specialist. After hearing the complaints, the doctor will do an initial examination of the spine and determine if there are any problems with cerebral circulation. One of the important steps in diagnosing a disease is referral for examination of the material. In modern medicine, a number of methods are used, the most accurate of which are recognized such as MRI and computed tomography.
Which doctor treats
With osteochondrosis, you need to consult a neurologist. After making a presumptive diagnosis on the basis of an examination and the results of analyzes and examinations, he has the right to refer him for consultation to a more restricted doctor - a chiropractor or a vertebrologist.
Processing methods
Here, the diagnosis is made. The next step, therefore, is the appointment of effective treatment. As a rule, doctors are guided by the specifics 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:
take medications and food 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 has been helped by gymnastics, this is not an indication for his appointment to another. The attending 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, medication, etc. 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. In addition, the spinal muscles themselves are an integral cause of pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. A chiropractor, gently affecting the tissues, helps normalize reflexes and muscle tone, eliminates spasms and clamps, relieves and distributes the load of the affected discs, which improves the nutrition of the intervertebral discs and spinal circulation, and thebody motor functions are restored.
Rehabilitation and lifestyle recovery
The 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 consulting a chiropractor, the patient should be included in the list of mandatory procedures:
Isometric physiotherapy;
Manual therapy;
Reflexology;
Underwater hydromassage;
Traction treatment;
Magneto, 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 a simulator to strict observance of sleep and wakefulness. Services in public hospitals do not always have the necessary equipment or staff. The solution to the problem often lies in specialized clinics. Technical equipment, instruments and equipment of world quality standards allow effective therapy to be carried out in comfortable and safe conditions under the supervision of close 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 advise:
Correct spine curvature and posture disorder in a timely manner.
Actively participate in sports, which will strengthen muscles and develop a muscle corset.
Diet to maintain normal levels of vitamins, micro and macronutrients.
Fight excess weight.
Ensure that the load is evenly distributed over the spine if something heavy has to be lifted.
Sit with your back straight and shoulders relaxed.
Choose chairs and armchairs that support your back.
Try to "dilute" the static time at work with walking, warming up, gymnastics at the office.
Sleep on an orthopedic mattress.
Conclusion
To paraphrase the famous phrase, one can say: "Osteochondrosis is a delicate matter. It is quite easy to acquire such a disease, but it will take a long time to heal. Knowing the nature of osteochondrosis as a disease will make it easier for a person to orient themselves in the treatment issues. Remember: Only by contacting a doctor can you competently approach this problem without injuring yourself.