Pain in the spine in the thoracic region: causes

Pain in the spine in the thoracic area is often confused with the heart or with signs of a cold. Many do not pay any attention to these feelings and do not rush to the doctor, nevertheless, discomfort can signal serious enough pathologies. Next, figure out what the nature of pain in the thoracic spine. Causes and methods of therapy will also be described in the article.

General information

Before talking about what provokes pain in the thoracic spine, you should get acquainted with the anatomy of this area. It consists of 12 elements. The thoracic department looks like the first part of the capital "X". Specialists call this physiological kyphosis. The department in question performs the task of keeping the back wall of the chest. The joints of the trunk participate in the attachment of the ribs. Together with them, the skeleton of the spine provides protection of internal organs and chest from damage. Disks in this part of the pillar have a rather small height. This does not allow the spine to be very mobile in this zone. Staticness of the situation is also ensured by special processes. They are called awned. These processes are located along the column in the form of tiles. The reliable position of this part of the spine is also ensured by the thorax. A narrow channel runs along the column. Even minor disturbances in it can provoke a hernia or a tumor, as well as the formation of osteophytes. All these phenomena cause pain in the thoracic spine.

The provoking factors

Why do pains appear in the thoracic spine? The causes of the pathological condition can be different. Unpleasant sensations can arise with poor work or injury to the muscles. These phenomena, in turn, can be the result of damage directly to the thoracic department. The person begins to feel the discomfort between the ribs and in the press area. Especially the pain of the spine in the thoracic region is expressed during active movements, with sneezing or coughing. Unpleasant sensations can be triggered by disorders of the digestive tract or heart. Pain in the thoracic spine and discomfort in the throat may be associated with impairment of the respiratory system. The pathological condition in the area of ligaments and joints in this area can be the result of stretching or inflammation. Increased pain of the spine in the thoracic region can be noted at the sites of attachment of the ribs to the post. The same can be observed also in the places of their adhesion. Often there are pains in the thoracic spine with exacerbation of osteochondrosis. Particular importance in a number of provoking factors have injuries. The pain of the spine in the thoracic region may be the result of problems with the skeleton - deformities in the scoliosis type. In most cases, they touch the pillar directly. However, often deformations also extend to the edge group. Among other things, it is necessary to take into account changes after damage to the musculoskeletal system. Often, the pain of the spine in the thoracic region occurs in old age due to the development of osteoporosis.

Clinical picture

The nature of the pain can be different. It can be persistent and strong. This can signal the presence of a tumor. Stiffening pain can indicate the compression of the nerve roots. Pathology can be caused by infectious disease. For example, a background disease is often a tuberculous spondylitis, an abscess of epidural sites. In these cases, the pain can be prolonged and have a pulling character. As a provoking disease may act as herpes or herpes zoster. Against the background of these pathologies pains are stitching, sharp, burning. These same feelings accompany vasculitis or diabetes.

The dystrophic process

If it extends to the intervertebral joints, then spondyloarthrosis develops. Later, osteoarthritis may join him. For this pathology is characterized by damage to the ribs, vertebrae and vertebral-rib joints and their transverse articulations. As a result, narrowing of the holes occurs, which, in turn, provokes compression of the nerve roots near the post. The fibers are under pressure, and a strong inflammatory process develops in this area, accompanied by pain. It is intense enough and makes breathing difficult.

Disorders of the work of sympathetic nerves

These structures are involved in regulating the activities of internal bodies. Disorders of their functions are often associated with violations in their work. The pains arise in the sternum and can be given to the zone between the shoulder blades or spread vertically along the entire vertebrae. They begin to increase with deep breathing or during active movement. When the nerve root is compressed, the pain takes a shade. Most often it appears on one side - on the site where the intercostal nerve is located. When his sensitivity is disturbed, limbs begin to grow dumb, and a feeling of "running goosebumps" appears. However, it can happen vice versa. The sensitivity of the nerve can increase, causing the pain to become burning.

Dysfunction of internal organs

When the heart is broken, there are pains of the stenocardic type. The patient feels burning, general weakness, squeezing. The condition can be accompanied by pain in the liver. This often disrupts the activity of organs such as the stomach or intestines. A number of patients have difficulty urinating, also accompanied by pain. In this case, it is recommended to conduct ultrasound. Also recommended radiography. During the procedure, the thoracic department is examined in two projections. According to the pictures, the expert estimates the difference in height between the vertebrae, determines the presence of bone growths.

More about deviations

According to statistical data, no more than 1% of cases of pain are associated with the appearance of herniated intervertebral discs of the thoracic region. As a rule, these pathological protrusions are formed in the four elements of the lower part of the column. However, cases of the appearance of a hernia in the thoracic section are also not uncommon. In this case, the spinal cord is compressed. It provokes severe pain. Osteoporosis is often accompanied by bone injuries, as their structure becomes brittle. This is especially true for elderly patients. Osteochondrosis is very diverse in its manifestations. His clinical picture is often poorly expressed. The most obvious symptom of osteochondrosis is pain in the thoracic region of different intensity. It can intensify after a load or in a supine position. Often there are pains in the thoracic spine at night. In this regard, a person is forced to constantly change the position during sleep. In this case, the pain may be compressive or dull, acute or aching, as well as burning character. It can spread to the entire area between the shoulder blades.

Often there are pains in the thoracic spine during pregnancy. The future mother in this case it is necessary to consult a specialist and adjust the regimen. The doctor may prescribe gentle therapy to relieve pain in the thoracic spine. Exercises are considered to be the most effective and suitable help in the prenatal period. At a young age, there may be signs of Sheyermann-Mau syndrome. This pathology is accompanied by a burning pain in the chest of a burning nature. It provokes its exacerbation of kyphosis. In this condition, the spine begins to buckle, which in turn is accompanied by deformation of its elements and the lower region of the breast.

Differentiated diagnostics

In the course of the examination, in the first place, it is necessary to exclude the pathology of blood vessels and heart. For this purpose, the specialist appoints an ECG. Among other pathologies accompanied by pain in the chest, the most common are the following:

• Pneumonia.
• Myeloma.
• Aneurysm and aortic rupture.
• Pleurisy.
• Pulmonary embolism.
• Peptic ulcer disease.
• Abscess of the diaphragm.
• Cancer in the pancreas.
• Cholecystitis.

The examination is recommended for the following specialists:

• Oncologist.
• The neurologist.
• Traumatologist.
• Osteopath.
• Gastroenterologist.
• Specialist in exercise therapy.
• The masseur.
• A chiropractor.
• The vertebrologist.

Pain in the thoracic spine: treatment

Condition therapy includes a variety of activities. This or that complex is selected in accordance with the causes, nature and duration of the course, and also taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient. As the main methods of treatment using manual therapy and massage. With a combination of these procedures, there is a significant enhancement of the effect, which leads to a faster recovery from the pathological condition. Together with this, manual therapy and massage are considered to be the most gentle methods of influence. Nevertheless, a specialist must carry out the procedures. When the massage is performed correctly and the manual effect, a fairly rapid elimination of soreness is noted.

additional information

Timely contact with a doctor and the appointment of treatment will avoid surgical intervention. If the process is protracted, then an operation is often prescribed. Intervention is performed in accordance with the indications. An important factor in the problem of eliminating pain is also the adjustment of the patient's lifestyle. The expert can recommend for a while to reduce physical activity, change the diet. It is advisable to study at home with physiotherapy exercises, more to be outdoors.

Home physical education

Specialists have developed special sets of exercises that contribute to significant relief and faster relief from pain. Some manipulations can be carried out sitting on a chair with a strong back. For example, hands are folded on the back of the head in such a way that the spine is pressed against the upper back of the chair. Next, you should bend back and then lean forward, repeating this 3-4 times. The prone position may be lying. At the same time, a roller is placed under the back to the chest area. It can be made from a towel, wrapping it on a rolling pin. The hands are folded over the head. Then you should bend, and then raise the upper area of the trunk. For the effect to be applied to all areas, the roller should be moved along the spine, repeating the exercise 3-4 times.