The thoracic spine has a peculiarity - the ribs join it. Due to this, it is less mobile than the neck and lower back. Consequently, osteochondrosis in the thoracic region develops less frequently, according to the principle: "less mobility - less wear. "But it develops less often - this does not mean it flows easier. And indeed it is. It's about chest pain. Since the pain zone of the thoracic spine coincides with the zone of the heart, the symptoms are often confused with angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. No wonder they say about thoracic osteochondrosis that it is a "chameleon". After all, he can pretend not only to have a heart disease, but also a disease of the lungs, liver, stomach, gallbladder or pancreas. And here you can’t make a mistake and overlook a heart attack or another serious disease, for example, pathology of the mammary glands in women. Mistakes like this are costly, even if it works out in the end. After all, this can "drive" a person into severe stress. That is why it is very important to find an experienced and knowledgeable doctor who will understand everything and distinguish the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis from other pathologies. Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are usually divided into two categories - radicular and reflex.
Radicular symptoms
They occur due to the effect on the nerves coming out of the spine.
spinal nerves
There are many nerves coming out of the spine. They are called spinal nerves. Each such nerve gradually branches and follows a certain area of the body with clearly defined boundaries. This area is called the zone of segmental innervation. Each vertebra, disc, nerve and zone are numbered strictly corresponding to each other. If the nerve is affected, the symptoms will appear in the zone of segmental innervation corresponding to this nerve, and not just anywhere - in an arbitrary place.
Radical symptoms include:
- Decrease or loss of reflexes;
- Violation of sensitivity;
- muscle weakness;
- Core pain.
Zones of innervation of the thoracic segments
Osteochondrosis D1–D2- causes pain in the shoulder, collarbone and armpits.
Osteochondrosis D3–D6- Causes pain, girdle character in the upper part of the chest. Simulates pain in the heart, an attack of angina pectoris. In women, it causes pain in the mammary glands.
Osteochondrosis D7–D8- causes girdle pain at the level of the solar plexus. Simulates pain in the stomach, liver, gallbladder or pancreas. Reduces upper abdominal reflexes.
Osteochondrosis D9–D10- causes pain in the hypochondrium and upper abdomen. Sometimes it mimics the so-called "acute" abdomen - a sharp pain in the abdomen. Decreases mid-abdominal reflexes.
Osteochondrosis D11–D12- causes pain in the groin area. Simulates pain in female diseases, appendicitis, intestinal diseases. Reduces lower abdominal reflexes.
Reflex symptoms
Unlike radicular, reflex symptoms do not have clear boundaries. These can be: difficulty breathing, lack of air, pain during inhalation-exhalation, chills and "goosebumps" on the skin, intercostal neuralgia, girdle pain in the chest. Dyspepsia is often noted - appetite worsens, nausea, heartburn, bloating, and stool disorders occur. Due to the pain, sleep is disturbed, there are insomnia and a feeling that you have not had enough sleep. It is difficult to move around, especially in the morning. The coordination of movements is disturbed - this is reflected in the gait. General weakness, weakness. Violations in the sexual sphere. Irritability. Fast fatiguability. There are various types of pain. Pressing pains in the chest. Pain between the shoulder blades. Pain in the hypochondrium. Pain when raising arms. Pain when bending over or trying to straighten up. Pain between shoulder blades. In general, pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can be divided into two types.
Dorsalgia- moderately pronounced prolonged pain in the back and chest with periods of intensification and attenuation.
Dorsago- acute pain "lumbago" in this area.
- Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region depend on the stage of osteochondrosis.
- They are aggravated by slouching or trying to straighten up.
- Symptoms often appear after 35-45 years.
- It occurs about 3 times more often in women than in men.
Of course, you noticed that the radicular symptoms are clearly defined, and the reflex symptoms are very blurry and non-specific. And as you know, everything that does not have clear definitions serves as a convenient cover for professional helplessness. This applies, among other things, to reflex symptoms and such a favorite concept among doctors as "age-related changes". Surely many of you are familiar with the situation when the doctor explained the problem by "reflex" or "age-related" processes. Most people at such moments rightly believe that the doctor simply cannot figure out what is happening and is trying to veil his incompetence in the fog of these "magic words".
At one time there was a popular phrase: "Every accident has a name, surname and position. "Every disease has its own unique symptoms. And the duty of the doctor is to know them clearly. And then there will be no need to let in fog and blame the osteochondrosis of the thoracic region for everything. Now you understand how important it is to find an experienced and knowledgeable doctor. Both the correct diagnosis and good treatment results will depend on this.
Diagnosis is the key to proper treatment
To date, there are a number of modern methods of hardware diagnostics of osteochondrosis. The most accurate of these are MRI and CT. But the main method is still clinical diagnostics - this is when an experienced doctor compares data from at least three sources - from patient complaints, MRI results, and the symptoms that were revealed by him during the examination. This allows you to make the most accurate diagnosis and create an effective individual treatment program.
Treatment
As you understand, osteochondrosis is a real "tangle" of symptoms, unraveling which, the doctor will save you from pain and anguish. But it is not possible to eliminate changes in the vertebrae and discs. Therefore, the words "treatment of osteochondrosis" must be understood correctly. If you are interested in eliminating pain and other suffering, then yes - it is quite possible. And if you conduct an academic discussion on the topic of returning the vertebrae and discs to their original appearance, "like a newborn child", then no, the past cannot be returned. You need to be realistic, and then you will not fall for the bait of scammers.
Do not fall for the bait of scammers!
It is impossible to return the vertebrae and discs to their original appearance!
What is the main treatment method?
Soft manual therapy is the main type of treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. It is like an antibiotic for pneumonia - you can not do without it. Other types - massage, medicines, physio and exercise therapy - are auxiliary.
How does gentle manual therapy work?
The nutrition of the discs is directly related to the muscles surrounding the spine. In addition, the back muscles themselves are one of the constituent causes of pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Soft manual therapy is a special method that allows you to return the muscles to their natural physiology, eliminate spasms, muscle clamps and improve disc nutrition.
The intervertebral discs are the only part of the body that does not have blood vessels and is nourished by the proper functioning of the muscles.
In addition, when treating with the help of hands, the chiropractor:
- remove the load from the affected vertebrae and discs and distribute it correctly;
- relax the muscles and help them return to normal;
Thereby:
- save the patient from clamps;
- improve drive power;
- restore the motor functions of the body;
- normalizes blood circulation.
Manual impact mobilizes the internal forces of the body and launches self-healing mechanisms.
The treatment is absolutely safe.
Prevention
To avoid relapses, create comfortable conditions for yourself to sleep and work. Watch your weight and proper nutrition. Maintain your physical activity. But the main thing is not to neglect your health and not save on it. Don't let things go by themselves. After recovery, try to do at least one maintenance session of gentle manual therapy once every three to six months - this will reduce risk factors. Do not forget, neglected osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and disc herniation. Remember: your health, first of all, you need!
Running osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and disc herniation.