The most common cause of pain in the upper and middle back is cervical osteochondrosis. And although this slowly evolving pathology is not fatal, it significantly worsens a person's quality of life and in some cases can cause disability. Only the maximum possible elimination of the factors that lead to uneven pressure in the moving parts of the spine can slow down the irreversible processes of biological aging and therefore alleviate the condition.
Causes of degenerative lesions of the spine
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is a multifactorial pathology of the intervertebral discs that connect 7 cervical and 12 thoracic vertebrae. The most common causes of degenerative changes are:
- gravity (displacement of the center of gravity and redistribution of the axial load)
- prolonged forced labor
- vibration
- weakness
- autoimmune disease
- spinal overload associated with musculoskeletal pathologies (deformities, flat feet)
- infectious and inflammatory processes in nearby structures
- metabolic disorders
- hereditary abnormalities in connective tissue development
- traumatic injuries
- excessive static or dynamic loads
- hormonal imbalance
The cause of worsening osteochondrosis in men and women can be stress, prolonged nervous strain, malnutrition, hypothermia.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine
Degenerative processes in the affected intervertebral discs are accompanied by local pain syndromes and reported pain. Due to the violation of the blood supply to the brain, patients complain of headache, dizziness, "flies" in front of the eyes, pain in the shoulder or the entire upper extremity, intercostal and scapular region. There is discomfort, tingling in the throat, chest, abdomen, periodic painful pulse in the ear or temple, pain when coughing and sneezing.
After a long stay in a forced position, a feeling of compression appears. Cervical osteochondrosis often presents with typical cardiac symptoms, which greatly complicates the diagnosis. Additional indications include numbness in certain areas of the skin, indigestion, increased pain with deep breathing, and shortness of breath in the supine position.
Stages of osteochondrosis
The pathological process has 4 stages of development:
I - swelling and movement of the pulp within the disc, irritation of the peripheral nerve endings. The lumbar spine of the cervix and thorax occurs in the context of physical activity
II - rupture of the fibrous ring, violation of the attachment between the vertebral bodies, instability of the vertebral parts. Accompanied by constant muscle tension, functional blockages, limited mobility
III - rupture of the disc membrane and protrusion of the pulpal nucleus (hernia). Root compression neurological syndromes are manifested by reflex prolapse, weakness, atrophy, tenderness in the nerve zone II - fibrous ring cracks, weakened attachment between the vertebral bodies, instability of the vertebral bodies. Accompanied by constant muscle tension, functional blockages, limited mobility
IV - degenerative damage to all components of the intervertebral disc. Due to the mineralization and compaction of the disc, arthropathy of the facial joints develops and mobility in the affected area is significantly reduced.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of vertebral pathology is made in a complex, which includes:
- collection of vital and pathological memory
- physical examination in a static position
- diagnostic tests (study of active and passive movement disorders)
- determination of the neurological condition
- Plain radiograph of two projections of the spine
- CT
- MRI
In a professional clinic, during the diagnosis of various back diseases, an MRI scan is performed in combination with a manual examination. The combined use of these methods provides complete information about the location of areas of discogenic disorders, the structure and metabolic activity of cells, the state of all soft tissue components.
Which doctor should I go to?
A neurologist manages patients with vertebral disorders. In addition, you may need the help of a chiropractor, spine surgeon.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine includes:
- medication for pain, swelling and inflammation
- manual therapy
- massage and self-massage;
- Physiotherapy procedures (UVI, electrophoresis, laser, magnetotherapy, DDT)
- reflexology
- physiotherapy exercises
- corset, movie
- post-isometric relaxation
If osteochondrosis is complicated by an intervertebral hernia, surgery is recommended for the patient.
Belongings
An indifferent attitude to one's health and the neglect of medical recommendations can lead to the active development of the pathological process and the development of various reflex and compressive syndromes:
- chronic cervical pain and thoracic pain (headaches coming from the cervical-occipital region, pain in the thoracic region)
- limiting the inclination of the head in the opposite direction from the lesion
- plant disorders of the upper extremities
- sensory problems in hands and fingers
- dysfunction of internal organs
- partial immobilization of the spine
- disability
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
To minimize the impact of negative factors, it is recommended to perform regular exercises aimed at strengthening the muscular framework. It is very important during the long monotonous work to monitor the posture of the body, to change the position of the body more often, to avoid wide movements and to be protected from hypothermia and currents.