The thoracic spine has a peculiarity - the ribs join it. Because of 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 and tear". But it develops less often - this does not mean that it flows more easily. And indeed it is. It's about chest pain. As the pain zone of the thoracic spine coincides with the zone of the heart, symptoms are often confused with angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. It is not for nothing that they say about thoracic osteochondrosis that it is a "chameleon". After all, he can pretend not only to have heart disease, but also lung, liver, stomach, gallbladder, or pancreas disease. And here you cannot make a mistake and ignore a heart attack or other serious illness, for example, pathology of the mammary glands in women. Mistakes like this cost dearly, 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 experienced doctor who understands everything and differentiates the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis from other pathologies. The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are usually divided into two categories - radicular and reflex.
root symptoms
They arise due to the effect on the nerves that come out of the spine.
spinal nerves
There are a lot of nerves coming out of the spine. They are called spinal nerves. Each of these nerves gradually branches off 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 that nerve, and not anywhere - at an arbitrary location.
Radical symptoms include:
- Decreased or loss of reflexes;
- Violation of sensitivity;
- muscle weakness;
- Core pain.
Innervation zones of the thoracic segments
Osteochondrosis D1–D2- causes pain in the shoulder, collarbone and armpits.
Osteochondrosis D3-D6- Causes pain, waist-like character in upper chest. It simulates heart pain, an attack of angina pectoris. In women, it causes pain in the mammary glands.
Osteochondrosis D7-D8- causes pain in the waist 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 women's diseases, appendicitis, intestinal diseases. Reduces lower abdominal reflexes.
Reflex symptoms
Unlike radicular symptoms, reflexes have no clear boundaries. These can be: difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, pain during inspiration-exhalation, chills and "goose bumps" on the skin, intercostal neuralgia, chest pain. Dyspepsia is often observed - appetite worsens, nausea, heartburn, bloating and stool disorders occur. Due to the pain, sleep is disturbed, insomnia and a feeling that you have not had enough sleep occurs. It's hard to move around, especially in the morning. Coordination of movements is disturbed - this is reflected in gait. General weakness, weakness. Violations in the sexual sphere. Irritability. Fast fatigability. There are several types of pain. Pressing chest pains. Pain between the shoulder blades. Pain in the hypochondrium. Pain when lifting the arms. Pain when bending over or trying to straighten up. Pain between the shoulder blades. In general, pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can be divided into two types.
back pain- moderately pronounced prolonged pain in the back and chest with periods of intensification and attenuation.
dorsago- sharp pain "lumbago" in this area.
- The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region depend on the stage of osteochondrosis.
- They are made worse by bending over or trying to straighten up.
- Symptoms usually appear after 35-45 years.
- It occurs about 3 times more often in women than in men.
You, of course, have noticed that the radicular symptoms are clearly defined and the reflex symptoms are very blurry and non-specific. And as you know, anything that doesn't 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 where the doctor explained the problem by "reflective" or "age-related" processes. Most people at these moments rightly believe that the doctor just can't figure out what's going on and is trying to hide his incompetence in the haze of these "magic words. "
There was a time when there was a popular phrase: "Every accident has a name, surname and title". Each disease has its own unique symptoms. And the doctor's duty is to know them clearly. And then there will be no need to let in fog and blame everything on osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Now you understand how important it is to find an experienced and knowledgeable doctor. Both the correct diagnosis and the good results of the treatment will depend on it.
Diagnosis is the key to proper treatment
To date, there are several modern methods of hardware diagnosis of osteochondrosis. The most accurate are magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. But the main method is still clinical diagnosis - that's when an experienced doctor compares data from at least three sources - of the patient's complaints, the 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 them, the doctor will save you from pain and anguish. But it is not possible to eliminate the 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 vertebrae and discs to their original appearance, "like a newborn child", then no, the past cannot be returned. You need to be realistic and you won't fall for the scammers' bait.
Don't fall for the scammers' bait!
It is impossible to return vertebrae and discs to their original appearance!
What is the main method of treatment?
Gentle manual therapy is the main type of treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. It's like an antibiotic for pneumonia - you can't do without it. Other types—massage, medications, physical therapy, and physical therapy—are auxiliary.
How does gentle manual therapy work?
Disc nutrition is directly related to the muscles that surround the spine. In addition, the back muscles themselves are one of the constituent causes of pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Gentle manual therapy is a special method that allows you to return muscles to their natural physiology, eliminate spasms, muscle pinching and improve disc nutrition.
Intervertebral discs are the only part of the body that does not have blood vessels and is nourished by the well-functioning muscles.
In addition, when treating with the help of the hands, the chiropractor:
- remove the load from the affected vertebrae and discs and distribute it correctly;
- relax the muscles and help them get back to normal;
This way:
- save the patient from staples;
- improve disk power;
- restore the body's motor functions;
- normalizes blood circulation.
Manual impact mobilizes the body's internal forces and launches self-healing mechanisms.
The treatment is absolutely safe.
Prevention
To avoid relapses, create comfortable conditions for sleeping and working. Pay attention to your weight and proper nutrition. Keep up your physical activity. But the main thing is not to neglect your health and not save on it. Don't let things happen on their own. After recovery, try to do at least one gentle manual therapy maintenance session once every three to six months - this will reduce risk factors. Do not forget, neglected osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and herniated disc. Remember: your health, first of all, you need it!
The performance of osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and herniated disc.