Due to the relative inactivity and anatomical features, osteochondrosis rarely affects the chest area, but this disease can not be called rare. Therefore, if you feel stiffness and pain in the shoulder blades, it is worthwhile to understand what is osteochondrosis of the chest, what are its symptoms and methods of treatment.
In fact, the disease is rarely localized in this part of the spine, but brings unpleasant consequences and sensations no less than damage to the neck and lower back. Its peculiarity can easily be called a "nebula" of symptoms, in which even an experienced doctor can be confused at the beginning of the disease.
What is thoracic osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis - degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the discs between the vertebrae and the vertebrae themselves.
As already mentioned, the disease occurs in the thoracic region much less frequently than in the lumbar or cervical, due to such characteristics:
- the chest area is inactive;
- it is well fixed by the ribs and the whole thorax;
- due to kyphosis (ie physiological bending of the spine backwards) in the thoracic region, the vertebrae experience maximum stress in the anterior, more permanent part.
But, unfortunately, anyone can develop a disease, especially if there are prerequisites for it.
What does an MRI of the thoracic spine show?
The diagnosis of a disease that has formed in the thoracic region must be made in a comprehensive manner and MRI shows the true picture better than most studies.
How is an MRI done?
Everything is simple and painless - you have to lie on a bench, which enters a special spherical chamber, and wait a certain time until the equipment "enlightens" the body. It is worth removing all metal objects in advance and warning the staff in case of pacemakers, prostheses and other foreign objects in the body.
In general, osteochondrosis has previously been diagnosed exclusively by palpation - they examined the vertebrae, there is pain, which means that osteochondrosis is present. Now doctors supplement their knowledge with special tests, among which the most informative is MRI, which makes it possible to identify degenerative phenomena in cartilage and vertebrae, to determine the presence of hernias, the peculiarities of their development.
If you are not afraid of limited spaces, you can even take a nap.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The symptoms of insidious osteochondrosis in the chest area are able to successfully hide for a long time without appearing and without causing pain or even discomfort. And later, when the injury already causes obvious manifestations, it is sometimes difficult to determine the source of painful sensations - they can give the heart, internal organs, legs. It is therefore necessary to analyze this issue in detail.
So, doctors distinguish several types of symptoms.
The reflex is directly related to the negative effects of the disease on various receptors.
As a result, the patient feels:
- pain in the shoulder blades or just below, often embracing and pressing "like a hoop";
- the focus of pain can be localized in different parts of the body - in the sternum, simulating heart attacks, on the right side, masking as the liver, and even in the lower back, as renal colic, therefore when diagnosing it is often necessary toundergo a thorough examination of the internal organs to conclude that there is a problem from behind.
Symptoms of compression occur due to squeezing or stretching of nerve roots,
as a result there may be:
- weakness in the legs, they seem to refuse;
- loss of sensation in the limbs;
- tingling in the pinched area, a feeling of "goosebumps";
- feeling of coma in the chest;
- the tension of the surrounding muscles, which can be established during massage;
- Deterioration of organ function, fortunately, such neglected cases are rare.
Given the peculiarities of women's physiology, sometimes the symptoms of osteochondrosis in the chest area are confused with other diseases.
Often the pain radiates to the mammary glands, which automatically makes the woman think about breast problems.
Drawing, regular pain resemble fibrosis, tumors and other gland problems, which makes you consult a mammologist. And if the doctor, after tests, examination and mammography, does not find any abnormalities in the structure and functioning of the mammary glands, he can safely assume the presence of osteochondrosis.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the chest
The causes of osteochondrosis for the chest and other regions are the same, but in order to localize the problem right here, clear prerequisites are needed:
- curvature of the spine, especially the thoracic region;
- the presence of bad habits;
- wearing high heels;
- be in an unnatural position for a long time, for example on a computer, sewing machine, garden weeding;
- tremendous physical activity;
- hereditary predisposition to back diseases;
- pregnancy causing a shift in the center of gravity;
- flat feet and refusal to wear special orthopedic insoles;
- spinal cord injury.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the chest
Signs of osteochondrosis in the chest area are pain, stiffness, muscle tension in this area. As we have already established, a distinction is made between reflex and compression syndromes, the former of which must be discussed in more detail.
Dorsago and dorsalgia
The most obvious reflex syndromes of the disease are dorsago and dorsalgia. What is?
Dorsago - a sharp, strong, sharp pain in the spine, as if someone had stabbed him in the back. Sometimes the painful sensations spread to the heart or sternum.
The sensations are so "rainbow" that the patient is afraid to make any movement and even breathe deeply. On palpation you may notice muscle tension near the spine. Most often the attack occurs after prolonged sitting in an awkward position and sharpDue to the severity of the pain and its location in the chest, dorsago is often confused with a heart attack, but the removed cardiogram clarifies the picture.
Dorsalgia is a painful pain that manifests itself gradually, covers the chest on the back, chest, intensifies with movement, especially tilting and turning the body, even from sneezing or running on bumps.
Unpleasantly, it is sometimes difficult to determine the most painful area - these are superficial or deep tissues, back or chest, which complicates the establishment of the correct diagnosis.
What is intercostal neuralgia called?
Sometimes there is pain in the intercostal spaces, then the symptom is called intercostal neuralgia, this symptom is characterized by:
- severe pain covering the intercostal space, sometimes radiating to the lower back, arm or shoulder blade, and lasting for hours or even days;
- soreness when probing the ribs;
- redness or pallor of the skin in the focus of inflammation, burning sensation or vice versa, tingling;
- the inability to breathe evenly and deeply - every breath brings torment;
- some muscles in the chest or back twitch spontaneously.
How to treat intercostal neuralgia at home
Before treating intercostal neuralgia, you need to make the correct diagnosis, as its symptoms are similar to heart disease, and if you start fighting the disease at home with a real myocardial problem, you can get huge problems.
If this is not the first attack and the doctor confirms the diagnosis, you can resort to home remedies, among which the most important are:
- bed for 2-3 days;
- taking a sedative to relieve pain and relieve spasm;
- the use of topical analgesics in gels and ointments;
- the use of warming agents - mustard plasters and pepper plasters;
- recovery of nerve tissue by taking B vitamins;
- fixation of the spine, for this purpose a corset is used, which keeps the body in the correct position and reduces the compression of the vertebrae.
Back pain can indeed be eliminated in a few days, but to avoid recurrence, you will have to fight the cause for several months.
Atypical signs of osteochondrosis of the breast
In addition to the clinical manifestations, thoracic osteochondrosis may have completely atypical symptoms that are so easy to confuse with other diseases. Between them:
- imitation of pain in the heart or chest in women, the discomfort can torment for weeks, but additional studies do not reveal problems with the heart and chest;
- localization of pain in the iliac region, as in gastritis or colitis, or on the right side, as in the case of liver dysfunction, the diagnosis is complicated by deterioration of digestion due to failure to conduct impulses to the nerves and here it is difficult to determine the primacy;
- disorders of urination and erectile function, which also occurs due to failure of the conduction of nerve endings.
But there is little evidence - the deterioration manifests itself closer to night, increasing every hour after waking up due to compression of the nerves in the back and after rest passes, while disorders of the heart or other internal organs are noticeable around the clock.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine?
The treatment of osteochondrosis in the chest is a long question, in addition, it is impossible to restore the tissues, it will only be possible to slow down the process, to prevent its deterioration. But this does not mean that you can calm down, reconcile and do nothing, realizing the futility of the effort, because treatment will allow you to live and work fully, and although the neglected forms will not end fatally, they will significantly spoilof life.
Medication treatment
At the first symptoms of osteochondrosis, medical treatment includes the use of drugs that eliminate pain, for these purposes it is best to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
They are prescribed for 1-2 weeks, during which time the pain usually disappears.
You can combine pills, capsules or suppositories with topical analgesics or compresses (although they can cause allergies, so you should drip on a small area of skin and wait half an hour before use), such ointments are also suitable.
Sometimes for pain with special strength anti-inflammatory drugs are powerless and then save analgesics in the form of droppers.
In some cases, you need to inject painkillers directly into the spine, a procedure called paravertebral block and performed by a doctor in a hospital.
Later, muscle relaxants were used to relax the muscles, diuretics were prescribed for swelling around the nerve endings, and blood circulation and tissue regeneration restored the trophies. In the future, to prevent recurrence, you will need to drink chondroprotectors for several months.
Home treatment
At home you can resort to many non-drug methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis, these are:
- massage;
- Exercise therapy;
- stretching exercises;
- compresses and infusions to normalize the metabolism in the vertebrae.
As for the last point, here you can advise such folk remedies:
- rub with a tincture of calendula, for this take 200 grams of vodka, triple alcohol and camphor alcohol per 100 grams of flower, insist for 14 days and rub into the affected area before bedtime, wrapping it with a warm scarf;
- mix the same amount of orange peel and lemon balm herb and pour a glass of boiling water, leave for an hour, strain, add 1 tsp tincture of valerian and honey, drink ½ cup twice a day for a month.
Exercises for the chest area
Perhaps it is the exercises for osteochondrosis in the chest area that will be most effective in preventing further complications.
Gymnastics relieves stiffness, relaxes muscles, strengthens them and increases physical activity. Constant and regular training speeds up blood circulation, eliminates inflammation of the nerve roots, reduces stress on the spine and this exercise therapy is suitable not only for damage to the chest, but also for any part of the spine.
But doctors do not recommend the use of such a set of exercises during periods of severe exacerbations, with general deteriorating health, coordination problems, high blood pressure and arrhythmias.
Before training it is better to take a shower, stretch your muscles with massage and warm-up.
So, the best exercises:
- lift your shoulders in turn 10 times;
- turn your head to the side, freezing at end points for a few seconds;
- place your hands on your back under the shoulder blades, bend over and freeze for 10 seconds;
- in an upright position, bend to the side, touching the knee with the shoulder, repeat in the other direction;
- lying on the floor, place a roller under the chest area, put your hands behind your head and lift your shoulders, then move the roller a little higher, this movement is designed to stretch this section of the spine;
- lying on your stomach, lift your chest above the floor, first with your arms outstretched forward, then with your arms outstretched to the side, and finally with those tied at the back in a lock.
Such a charge helps to forget about back problems for many months.
Massage
Massage in case of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region helps to relieve pain, improve blood circulation and lymph flow, relieve muscle spasm, improve their tone and enhance trophic in the intervertebral cartilage.
As a rule, the course does not start immediately on the first day, but after 3-4 days, when the main unpleasant sensations have disappeared, in rare cases the masseur can help during the exacerbation.
The first sessions should be done carefully, without excessive pressure on the tissues; both skilled hands and special massage machines are suitable as tools. It is not worth doing a massage without proper experience and education - you can only aggravate the problem, so do not save on a course by a professional.
Manual therapy
At first glance, manual therapy is similar to massage - the same stroking with the hands, but in reality the chiropractor, unlike the masseur, acts not on the muscles and skin, but on the vertebrae themselves, which requires more strength and skills.
It uses percussion techniques, alternating tension and relaxation of muscles, bending of the spine to eliminate disorders in the structure of the spine and instrumental methods in the treatment of elderly patients.
The chiropractor is able to improve the tone of the back muscles, restore the mobility of the spine, correct the curvature and prolapse of the vertebrae and improve blood circulation.
Prevention is the best treatment
To prevent this unpleasant disease, you will have to make an effort, but it will be worth it. It is recommended:
- watch your weight, as the extra pounds are an extra burden on the spine;
- eat well and varied;
- avoid hypothermia of the spine;
- sports, especially at sedentary work, swimming is perfect;
- take breaks and warm up at work (some exercises from the above complex will do);
- change positions when you are at the computer table for a long time;
- avoid excessive stress on the spine.
Nutrition adjustment
The condition of the joints, blood vessels and bones directly depends on the diet and if symptoms of osteochondrosis appear, it is worth correcting. So it's worth excluding:
- smoked meats that clog the body;
- fried, causing the appearance of extra pounds;
- sweet;
- soda, especially sweet.
Instead, go to:
- boiled meat and broths of pork, chicken and rabbit;
- vegetables;
- green;
- dairy products, especially kefir, cheese and cottage cheese;
- boiled fish at least once a week;
- fruits, apples are better.
Correct postures in sleep
Chest osteochondrosis dictates its rules even in sleep, requiring you to choose the right postures. You will have to give up your favorite belly rest - in this position the head is thrown back and the blood vessels are compressed, disrupting blood circulation in the brain.
The best postures for illness are:
- laterally, when all organs and limbs are at rest and not pressed;
- on the back;
- in the fetal position with bent legs tucked up to the chest, the back muscles relax well in it.
I note that no less attention will have to be paid to the bed, it should have a solid base, a firm orthopedic mattress and a small pillow on which is placed only the head without shoulders, maintained at body level. We will have to say goodbye to our favorite soft mattress and a huge down pillow.
Sitting position
Even sitting with chronic osteochondrosis must be correct! Tips that must be strictly followed:
- avoid upholstered furniture;
- choose a chair so that the legs reach the floor and the depth is 2/3 of the thigh;
- there should be plenty of space under the table when sitting so that you do not have to bend your legs;
- with prolonged sitting every 10-15 minutes, change your position, warm up, take a walk;
- make sure your back is on top of your back;
- do not lean forward to avoid muscle strain;
- while driving, place a roller under your lower back to keep the physiological bend;
- even while relaxing on a sofa or bed, change your position every hour, relax your back muscles and stretch.
Osteochondrosis is not fatal, but a very unpleasant disease that must be controlled from the first manifestations. Now you know what to look for, how to recognize many symptoms, what exercises to do with osteochondrosis and beat it. Dare and be healthy!