Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: symptoms and treatment

In comparison with osteochondrosis of the cervical or lumbar regions, the osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine less often shows itself. Symptoms of the disease are also somewhat different and in some cases can be mislead by their similarity to pain in the heart, in the chest, even in the kidneys and pancreas.

Sources of disease

There are understandable reasons that not so often people complain of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. Symptoms of it are not so pronounced, and sometimes they do not make themselves felt for a long time. The twelve vertebrae located in the thoracic region, in contrast to the cervical and lumbar vertebrae, are protected by ribs and muscles, and this skeleton significantly reduces the load on this department. In addition, the above part of the spinal column is more static, whereas all movements and loads are fully felt in the neck and lower back.

As with any kind of vertebral osteochondrosis, the pain syndrome occurs as a result of wear or deformation of the intervertebral cartilage due to age-related changes, excessive loads or an incorrect lifestyle. The osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine also manifests itself. Symptoms of it, however, can be caused not by loads, but, on the contrary, by a sedentary way of life, for example, a long sitting at the computer in one posture, a habit of uneven keeping your back and so on. There is a dystrophic process in the spinal column, which causes narrowing of the channels between the vertebrae and compression of the nerve roots.

How is the disease manifested?

Osteochondrosis of the spine (thoracic) department, makes itself felt not always understandable by pain between the shoulder blades, in the ribs, in the neck, in the upper back. Often it is taken for intercostal neuralgia, which in principle is near the truth. With severe pain it becomes difficult to breathe, which gives reason to suspect a heart attack. The pain intensifies when trying to pull the shoulder blades together, move the neck or shoulders. It is felt more sharply at night, in a static position.

How is osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine treated?

Symptoms and intensity of pain syndrome dictate and methods of treatment. Conservative method is basically reduced to taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. In this case, not every medicine will stop pain in the spine. Neuropathologists most often prescribe the drug "Ibuklin" in tablets, which has a direct analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect precisely with pains in the joints and spine, as well as with various neuralgia. It is desirable to combine medication with the use of therapeutic ointments with a warming and distracting effect, such as Voltaren, Diclofenac and others.

But this is only a symptomatic treatment. More radically help to cure osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine exercises, developed by well-known orthopedists and neuropathologists, for example, a set of exercises by Valentin Dikul. And it is very desirable to visit an experienced chiropractor. These procedures can return the vertebrae to the correct position and relieve the pain. Effective and modern methods such as dry stretching, acupuncture, vacuum therapy and others.

And, of course, do not forget about the active way of life. This problem rarely catches up with those who regularly do exercises, walk a lot, and generally try to alternate between staying at the desk or lying on a depressed couch with walking in the fresh air.