Therapeutic exercises for intercostal neuralgia. Intercostal neuralgia - home treatment with massage. Features of neuralgia from different angles

Intercostal neuralgia (intercostal myalgia) is called painful, painful sensations in the chest caused by inflammation or irritation of the nerve. The pain syndrome in this condition is extremely pronounced. Therapeutic therapy is carried out in several stages, one of which includes light physical exercises.

Intercostal neuralgia, as a rule, is accompanied by severe pain. The ailment is quite unpleasant and in most cases is caused by muscle rigidity (inelasticity). chest, so doctors recommend doing at least a few push-ups and pull-ups a day. After all, non-working muscles tend to fall into dehydration (drying), which causes girdle pain in the intercostal spaces.

It should be remembered that it is possible to perform any physical exercises with intercostal neuralgia only after the removal of all unpleasant syndromes. During an exacerbation of the disease, complete rest and the absence of any physical activity including gymnastics.

Exercise helps to relieve unnecessary spasms and thereby improve blood supply to the pectoral and spinal muscles. You can start exercising a few days after the pain has been eliminated.

Pain syndrome is the result of inflammation or compression of the nerves in the intercostal space

Indications and contraindications

Only physicians can prescribe gymnastics for intercostal neuralgia. It is strictly forbidden to start doing exercises on your own, as the condition can worsen dramatically. The therapeutic effect will come only if individual health indicators predispose to it. When appointed, the following is assessed:

The main thing is to remember that any physical activity is possible no earlier than 3 days after the disappearance of all symptoms of neuralgia.

Contraindications for the treatment of the disease with gymnastic exercises include:

Only a doctor can prescribe gymnastics for intercostal neuralgia

Preparing for classes

When preparing for physical therapy classes, you should familiarize yourself with certain rules that help to avoid injuries and speed up the rehabilitation of the patient:

Preparing for exercises - photo gallery

Turning the head up and down, right and left will help prepare the cervical muscle group Alternate rotations of the hands prepare the pectoral muscles for gymnastics Movements with the hands will help stretch your hands before doing therapeutic exercises

Exercises

After the pain syndrome subsides, the patient begins to prepare and directly engage in physiotherapy exercises. At the first stage, the exercises are performed under the supervision of a doctor, then you can proceed to independent home gymnastics.

A set of exercises for the chest

To eliminate myalgia, there is a complex, stretching thoracic spine gymnastics. For the exercises in the following examples, you will need 2 small bottles of water. They are performed lying on the back, while the head should hang down a little. You can use a bed, bench or sofa.

How to do:

The first exercise in a sports environment is called a "pullover", and the second is called a "butterfly". In the gym, they are performed with dumbbells lying on an incline bench.

Yoga for intercostal neuralgia

Yoga classes will help maintain a healthy tone of the body, strengthen the skeleton, muscles, joints. Doctors recommend using this type of activity regularly, at the same time changing your lifestyle and parting with some addictions. You can do yoga only after all the pain has passed and the doctors report a recovery.

Yoga is designed for many years of practice, so you can hardly expect a quick result. There are very few patients who completely got rid of intercostal neuralgia thanks to yoga.

Unlike physical therapy, yoga does not offer a special set of exercises to get rid of neuralgia. Therefore, using oriental gymnastics for this disease, the following facts must be taken into account:

To relieve muscle tension, oriental gymnastics recommends the Ardha Navasana exercise. To complete you will need:

It is better to conduct classes with an instructor. In case of pain or other unpleasant sensations, classes should be stopped.

General strengthening yoga classes for neuralgia - video

Gymnastics according to Bubnovsky

Contrary to generally accepted world practice, for the treatment of neuralgia, Dr. Sergei Bubnovsky turns to internal resource human body, not to medicines or surgical operations. This doctor considers kinesitherapy to be the main method of fighting the disease, where movement is the main component.

Bubnovsky exercises are performed on special simulators. Each patient is treated according to an individual program, which necessarily takes into account:

With the help of exercises, Bubnovsky restores the mobility of joints, tendons and ligaments, muscle elasticity. As a result, the patient receives:

Bubnovsky's technique implies "movement through pain", which somewhat contradicts the generally accepted medical practice, suggesting light physical activity in case of intercostal neuralgia.

On initial stage treatment Bubnovsky offers an easy version of gymnastics, with a gradual increase in load. The emphasis is on correct breathing and natural movements. In addition to exercising on simulators, the doctor promotes cryohydrothermotherapy, which consists in visiting a bath (sauna) followed by diving into ice water.

As a result of the exercise, discomfort or pain may appear. In this case, gymnastics should be stopped.

Universal exercises for everyone from Sergey Bubnovsky - video

General exercises at home

In most cases, pain in intercostal neuralgia is localized on the right, left, or in the region of the heart. It is important to remember that only a doctor should diagnose neuralgia, since its symptoms are often similar to those of other diseases, including life-threatening ones, such as myocardial infarction.

The unilateral nature of the pain is due to the fact that most often the lesion concerns only one intercostal space. In rare cases, several nerves on both sides of the body can be affected at once.

After all inflammatory processes and associated pain are removed, the patient can proceed to a set of general exercises:

Stand up straight. Spread your legs shoulder width apart. Alternately lean to the left, right, forward. At first, the exercise is performed with the arms lowered, then with the arms spread apart. It is advisable to do 20 slopes.

Stand up straight. Grasp the back of a chair with your hand. Keeping the body straight, proceed to shallow squats. It is important that the back is kept strictly in an upright position. To comply with this condition, you can place a notebook or a small pillow on your head. Sit down 10-15 times.

This and the next exercise is performed on a large gymnastic ball (fitball) or on a chair. The patient should sit on the ball (chair), put his hands behind his head and bend back. Do backbends 10 times.

The patient sits down on the ball (chair), throws his hands behind his head and slowly turns the body to the right and left. You need to perform 20 such movements.

Lie on your back. Bend your knees and alternately pull each leg to the chin, while bending with the whole torso. Do 10-15 times.

Lie down on your stomach. The arms are extended along the body. Try to bend over while raising your legs, shoulders and head. It is advisable to perform 10 deflections.

Light gymnastic exercises will help to avoid the recurrence of neuralgia and improve overall mood.

You can do this exercise once or twice a day. Exercise will help you recover from an illness and will serve as a good prevention for its reappearance.

If you do gymnastics as prescribed by a doctor, after removing all pain symptoms, then undesirable consequences and complications should not arise.

Dikul exercises

Doctor medical sciences Valentin Dikul has developed his own gymnastic complex aimed at muscle recovery. The doctor believes that passivity and lack of physical education relax the musculoskeletal system. In most cases, the doctor prescribes a set of individual exercises, taking into account all the characteristics of the patient. Among the most popular is "Dikul's gymnastics for relieving pain", which helps to restore the body after an exacerbation of intercostal neuralgia. Example exercise:

Gradually, the time spent in an arched position is extended to a minute. In case of pain or other unpleasant symptoms, the session is terminated.

Intercostal neuralgia does not apply to independent diseases. This is one of the typical manifestation symptoms. The complexity of neuralgia is that the symptoms can be confused with manifestations of heart failure. Intercostal neuralgia tends to appear on the left side of the spine. It is characterized by signs:

• pain in the hypochondrium;
• gives to the arm or shoulder;
• pain increases with reflex actions: coughing or sneezing;
• in the chest may prick or feel a burning sensation;
• there are signs of numbness in the chest area.

The same symptoms apply to peptic ulcer stomach and for angina pectoris, sometimes for other heart conditions. But they can be distinguished by several features. The pain gets worse and doesn't go away. Such pain is characterized by constancy, which can last from several hours to a week. This kind of pain is not going to be helped by emergency heart medications. Also distinguish from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: by taking Noshpa or another drug from the stomach.

But not so innocent. It brings severe pain and deprives a person of the opportunity to live a full life for a decent period. This is due to the fact that the nerve root is clamped, which gives a feeling of pain. And release it the fastest with the help of special exercises that are aimed specifically at releasing nerve fibers.

You need to understand that the peculiarity of the treatment of any disease of the spine is that it slowly and reluctantly obeys the action of medications. The main emphasis is always placed on exercise therapy exercises. But at the first stage it is necessary to stop the power of pain sensations. Only after that is it allowed to start gymnastics.

Non-steroidal drugs are prescribed to reduce pain. Their task is not only to stop pain and spasms, but also to reduce swelling and inflammation in the tissues.

Therapy is more often used according to the algorithm:

• physiotherapy;
• magnetotherapy;
• reflexology;
• acupuncture;
• massages and manual therapy.

The sequence and combination is selected individually. Of the drugs, muscle relaxants are required. More often it is Mydocalm, the drug is effective and rarely causes side effects. Mydocalm is necessary to restore normal muscle tone. It protects the muscle layer from overexertion and this helps to reduce spasms.

With intercostal neuralgia, exercises are selected so as to support not only the thoracic region. The spine is a single system and therefore gymnastics for intercostal neuralgia should take into account all departments. Exercise requires compliance with several prescriptions. First of all, before classes, you need to stretch your muscles a little and warm up the entire body. This will help to avoid such a condition as muscle jamming or a new pinching in case of an unsuccessful turn.

The load should not be sharp and immediately maximum. A person performs strictly those exercises that are available to him and do not cause pain. It is forbidden to do exercises with intercostal neuralgia through force or with tension. If the exercise causes pain, put it off and come back in a few days.

Pay attention to proper breathing.

With intercostal neuralgia, it is forbidden to continue classes if there is a strong heartbeat that causes discomfort. Normally, a heart rhythm failure during exercise does not bring such a sensation, breathing is arbitrarily restored after the exercise is stopped. If this did not happen, hot flashes to the head appeared or the face turned red, it is necessary to stop exercising and contact a neurologist. In such cases, it is indicated to visit a cardiologist and exclude several heart diseases in which exercise is prohibited. First of all, it is hypertension or ischemic disease.

Exercises for intercostal neuralgia for every day

The beginning of classes for intercostal neuralgia should be with such an exercise. Lie on the floor and relax the body completely. The back is absolutely flat and free, now we pull our hands up and our socks down. The movement stretches the entire spine, incorporated by physiology. When we wake up, almost everyone does this “pull”. Then we also pull our arms up, but we raise our feet and also try to stretch our back. The movements are only soft, almost lazy.

Can be performed even if there is pain in the back. It is optimally suited for intercostal neuralgia and often allows you to quickly get rid of pain. Lying on your back, put your feet on the floor. Now you need to make two movements: the lower part of the body slowly turns to the right, and the upper part to the left. Then vice versa. The task is not easy, you need to turn around as much as possible. Ideally, press your feet to the floor in a turn. But with progressive osteochondrosis, this cannot be done immediately. Increase the degree only as you get used to it.

The back is only relaxed, breathing is completely calm.

The third exercise involves taking the fetal position. Lie flat and pull your knees, then clasp them and try to hold the position. Then calmly relax and lie down, repeat again. With intercostal neuralgia, start the exercise with 2 times and increase the multiplicity over time.

This exercise for intercostal neuralgia should be performed carefully, especially if cervical osteochondrosis is present. Be sure to check with your healthcare professional! Lying on your back, raise your legs and grab your knees from below with your hands. After that, make a movement like riding on the buttocks. Extremely gently and with minimal stress, especially for the neck. Then sit down and grab your knees from the outside, arching your back in the lumbar region. Hold the position a little, and calmly release your legs.

Additional back exercises

Sit in the lotus position and put your hands on your palms in front of you. Now try forward bends with the weight shifted to the hands. Slowly lower yourself onto your hands and relax the lumbar region as much as possible. With intercostal neuralgia, it is important to pay attention to the lower back, so part of the classes are directed to this department.

Get on all fours, relax your spine. Then arch your back, but lower your head. Now, on the contrary, bend your back, and raise your head. This exercise is called the “cat” and it helps well with intercostal neuralgia, it is also useful for healing the lumbosacral region.

It is a pinched nerve, characterized by pain in the chest area. consists of several stages and necessarily includes exercise therapy, massage, gymnastic elements and physiotherapy.

In this article, we will not only theoretically consider the influence exercise on the process of treating intercostal neuralgia, but we will offer photo and video complexes of therapeutic exercises that can be performed.

The effect of exercise therapy on the course of the disease

Exercise therapy for intercostal neuralgia is most effective for the treatment of this disease. The complex of classes is selected by the physician on an individual basis. This takes into account factors such as the severity of the disease, the patient's well-being and the symptoms of the disease.

How does physical therapy affect the course of the disease:
• restores the correct movement of the ribs;
• relieves spasm, reduces muscle tone;
• prevents stagnation in the joints;
• gives energy and strength, uplifting;
• For pregnant women suffering from intercostal neuralgia, exercise therapy allows you to achieve amazing results and avoid taking medication.

General rules for performing exercises

When performing a therapeutic complex of exercises, it is necessary to follow certain rules. This will help avoid injury and help the patient recover quickly.

Ask your question to a neurologist for free

Irina Martynova. Graduated from the Voronezh State Medical University. N.N. Burdenko. Clinical intern and neurologist of BUZ VO \"Moscow Polyclinic\".

Medical advice:
• Before starting classes, be sure to do a warm-up: shaking your limbs, shoulders, turning your head, slight tilts.
• The load on the body grows gradually, you can not sharply load the muscles.
• The emphasis is on strengthening the back and abdominal muscles, as well as stretching the spine.
• All movements are smooth, without sharp jerks. You can not do exercises, overcoming pain.
• If any exercise is difficult, it must be removed from the program.
• During gymnastics, the back muscles are as relaxed as possible.
• To get the effect, you need to practice daily.

Missing classes is not allowed. It is advisable to dedicate several hours a day to charging. If the work is sedentary, then you need to get up and warm up once an hour. This will be the prevention of intercostal neuralgia.

Photo complexes of gymnastics

We present two gymnastic complexes, performing which you can get rid of intercostal neuralgia in the thoracic region, as well as prevent the development of other diseases of this spine.

Chest Exercises

1. Lie down on a gym mat. Feet - without shoes and socks. Stretch your arms up and your toes down. Further socks - on themselves, the foot looks up. The body twists a little, the vertebral section is stretched.

2. Remain lying on the mat. Arms outstretched, shoulders down, feet flat on the floor. The pelvis moves to the left. Inhale, and as you exhale, your knees go to the right and reach for the floor. At this time, the head is turned in the opposite direction. In this position, you need to stay for about fifteen seconds, then change sides.
In this case, the back should be completely relaxed, it is very important.

3. Continue to be on the floor, arms lowered parallel to the body, feet connected, knees apart. Now, inhaling, lift the tailbone, lower back, chest. Move your neck to relieve tension. Hold in this state for ten seconds, return the body to the horizontal plane in reverse order. Do four times. The buttocks should be tense, the cervical region should be relaxed.

4. Legs together, drawn to the chest. Embrace your knees with your palms. Inhale, as you exit, touch your knees with your forehead. After a couple of seconds, lower yourself to the floor.

5. Stretched legs, slightly bent at the knees, pull to the chest, hug the area under the knees with your hands. Roll carefully on your back. Repeat three times.
Avoid stress on the neck, because tension is very dangerous.

6. Sit in the lotus position. Take your hands behind your back, hands parallel to each other. The chest moves forward. The pelvis rises on inspiration, gluteal muscles in suspense. Lower yourself gently. Repeat four times.
Necessarily watch out then, so that the neck is not strained. If necessary, move your head, look for the optimal position.

7. Now sit down. Straighten your lower back. Legs together, knees bent, heels drawn to the buttocks. The palms are placed under the kneecaps. Rounding your back, lower yourself down while inhaling. Exhaling, pull the body back to the legs. Repeat three times.

8. Legs are spread shoulder-width apart, knees bent, hands are laid behind the back and lie on the floor under the shoulders. Raise your pelvis. The back, head and hips should form a straight line. You need to do four or five exercises.

9. The legs are stretched forward, the arms are raised up and fixed in a “lock”. The chest is pulled up. Legs are relaxed.

10. Hands forward. Exhaling, turn your whole body to the left, moving your left arm 180 degrees. Repeat the same on the right side.

11. The left leg is bent at the knee. The right palm rests on the left knee, the left palm rests on the floor on the side. Do gentle twists left side. The tailbone with the top of the head should form a straight line. The back stretches to the left and up.

12. Connect the legs “in Turkish”, hands are lowered in front of you on the floor for the whole palm. Sit forward while relaxing your lower back as much as possible.

13. Stand up. Feet - wider than shoulders. Hands raised above the head, fingers clasped. Turn your body to the left. Hold for a couple of seconds, then do the same movement on the other side.

14. Exactly the same exercise with arms outstretched.

15. Hands are spread apart, one hand touches the floor, the second is raised up. At the same time, the head is turned so that you can see the raised hand.

16. Touch the floor with both hands, legs straight. Pull back. Gently bending down, stay in this position for 10 seconds.

Exercises using fitball and ice compress

1. Sit on the fitball. Fold the special rubber band in half and throw it over the right foot with one end, and set your foot aside. Hold the other end of the tape in your right hand. Rest your left elbow on your left knee. On exhalation, the right arm straightens up diagonally. Do 15-20 repetitions with both hands.

2. Prepare the props: fold the towel in four, place in a plastic bag and put in the freezer for an hour. Lie down on an exercise mat. The resulting ice compress should be placed under the lower back (for back pain) or between the shoulder blades (for chest pain). Feet - on the floor or on a fitball. Hands rest on the ears with fists. Gently lift your shoulder blades off the floor. Do push-ups 10-15 times.

3. The starting position is the same. Put your hands on the floor with your palms, raise your pelvis 10-15 times.

Video complexes of gymnastics

All of these complexes can be performed at home.

Intercostal neuralgia is an unpleasant and painful phenomenon. Can lead to neuralgia different reasons, but the tactics of treating pathology is based on a single principle. One of important points therapy and prevention of intercostal neuralgia is physiotherapy exercises.

The benefits of gymnastics for intercostal neuralgia

The causes of pain in neuralgia are varied - it can be injuries, and, and spasm of the intercostal muscles. For example, severe pain in the intercostal spaces can be caused by compression (infringement) of the roots of the spinal nerves of the thoracic region due to a disease of the spinal column, in particular, a hernia or protrusion (protrusion of the body of the intervertebral disc without rupture of the outer shell, as with a hernia). Pain can also occur due to stiffness ( increased tone, inelasticity) of the muscles of the chest, circulatory disorders in them and infringement by spasmodic muscle fibers of the nerve trunks. Restriction of motor activity, many hours of being in one position may well provoke an attack of intercostal neuralgia.

It is the tone of the intercostal muscles that plays a large role in the occurrence of pain. The intercostal nerves are located in special costal grooves, they are covered by muscles and fascia (shells of connective tissue). The muscles put pressure on the nerves and the person feels severe pain. Therefore, neuralgia can even be called myalgia, because muscles occupy the leading place in the occurrence of pain.

In order to get rid of the disease, including with the use of physical education, it is necessary to find out the cause of the pain. In any case, the therapeutic effect of special gymnastics is ensured by improving the blood supply to the muscles of the chest and back, eliminating muscle spasms, and releasing pinched nerves.

Training the muscles of the chest, giving them elasticity, strengthening the muscle corset is an additional task of exercise therapy aimed at the treatment and prevention of intercostal neuralgia. The complexes are selected in such a way as to affect not only the thoracic region, but also the entire spinal column.

Indications and contraindications for classes

Exercise will bring tangible benefits if acute pain is caused by spasm of the pectoral muscles. In case of compression of the spinal cord, spinal nerves as a result of injuries, fractures, severe curvature of the spine, hernias and other severe pathologies, physical activity, on the contrary, can cause irreparable harm.

Special exercises should be selected individually, taking into account the physical capabilities of the patient and possible concomitant diseases. In the acute period, when the pain syndrome is very pronounced, physical education is contraindicated. In any case, at this time, the patient is not able to exercise, as the pain becomes unbearable with any even the most insignificant load. After stopping the pain syndrome with medications and other therapeutic measures, you can start physical education.

Preparation for exercise therapy

Before gymnastics, it is advisable to prepare the muscles with a course of professional massage. Immediately before the classes, you need to warm up with a small warm-up, during the exercises you need to remember about the correct posture and maintain it, monitor your breathing. The load should be gradual, physical education should in no case cause acute pain, palpitations or shortness of breath. You can't do it through force.

Movements should be smooth, slow, without sharp turns and inclinations. Exercises need to be alternated - muscle tension, then their relaxation. It is best to start with stretching the spine in a horizontal position, with relaxation of the spinal muscles.

Gymnastics for the treatment of intercostal neuralgia at home

The emphasis in the exercises should be done on stretching the intercostal muscles, the spine and strengthening the muscles of the back. The complex recommended by neuropathologists for intercostal neuralgia (after acute pain has passed):

Video - Fitball exercise with tape

Each of the described exercises is performed 10-20 times (if possible). This complex is useful for the treatment and prevention of intercostal neuralgia.

Stretching the muscles of the chest

Stretching the pectoral muscles:

1. In a standing position, the left hand on the chest, the right behind the head. While inhaling, gently lean to the left, raising the elbow of the opposite arm, fix, while exhaling - straighten up, relax. Change hands, perform on the other side. A total of 3 approaches in different directions.
2. Get on your knees, rest your palms on the floor at chest level. Press the fingers of the right hand to the collarbone. While inhaling, turn the torso to the right, point the elbow of the bent arm upwards. As you exhale, lower your hand. Do for each side 3-4 times.
3. In the same position, put one hand behind your back and turn the body in the same way as in the previous exercise.

Video - Effective exercises for intercostal neuralgia

Yoga for neuralgia

Yoga classes are indicated only when there is no pain. Yoga complexes are designed for the body healthy person and with neuralgia, they can cause an increase in pain due to overstretching of the intercostal muscles. In addition, asanas (certain postures in yoga) require proper breathing. With intercostal neuralgia, an abdominal type of breathing is indicated, to spare the intercostal spaces, while some asanas should be performed only with chest breathing. In addition, a long stay in a static uncomfortable position during yoga can provoke a “shoot through” of chest pain. Therefore, yoga is allowed to be practiced only after the pain has completely disappeared and the patient successfully copes with exercise therapy exercises which do not cause him any discomfort. Yoga for diseases of the spine and neuralgia is possible only under the guidance of an experienced instructor.

Of the available asanas for intercostal neuralgia, the following can be recommended:

Video - Useful yoga for the spine

Bubnovsky exercises

Kinesitherapist Sergey Bubnovsky claims: “intercostal myalgia” occurs due to the fact that the pectoral muscles are in a non-working state, because of this they dry out and shorten. Therefore, there are severe pains in the chest.

The doctor advises regularly push-ups and pull-ups on the crossbar or do similar exercises on simulators.

Gymnastics Dikul

The principle of physical therapy from Valentin Dikul is regularity. Dikul's technique includes systematic exercises with the study of muscle groups in problem areas. With the manifestation of an ailment from Dikul's exercises, special exercises for stretching the muscles of the thoracic region are suitable. Classes can be done lying on your back or sitting. You need to start stretching gradually, increase the load daily, preparing the muscles.

Complex for stretching the pectoral muscles (each exercise must be done for at least 10 seconds):

Features of neuralgia from different angles

When carrying out exercises, it is necessary to take into account which side the pain center is on. You need to start the exercises only on the healthy side. The side of the lesion must be connected gradually, listening to your feelings.

Complications and possible consequences of physical education

Incorrectly selected exercises, not started on time (without waiting for the elimination of severe pain) or performed with a heavy load, may not alleviate the condition, but, on the contrary, aggravate the situation. In order for therapeutic exercises to benefit, it is necessary to find out the root cause of intercostal neuralgia and exclude serious pathologies from the spine, in order to avoid complications in the form of a hernia or displacement of the intervertebral discs. Medical complex gymnastic exercises should be selected by a doctor or an experienced exercise therapy instructor.

Minor muscle pain after a properly selected set of exercises is quite acceptable, since this is a natural reaction of the body - the accumulation of lactic acid in muscle tissue. By making training regular and choosing the right load, you can forget about intercostal pain forever.

Intercostal neuralgia is a disease in which the nerve of the same name is pinched. It is accompanied by pain in the chest area. Patients with this diagnosis are assigned special physical activity. Light exercises for intercostal neuralgia are used both as a prevention of relapses and for the treatment of pain during exacerbation.

Neuralgia is rarely an independent disease, more often it is a symptom that is inherent in such a disease as thoracic osteochondrosis. In the process of diagnosis, problems may arise, since some signs of neuralgia are identical to those observed in heart failure.

Appointment of exercise therapy and contraindications

Therapeutic exercises for intercostal neuralgia are used for the following purposes:

• eliminate and stop spasmodic effects;
• relieve pain in the muscles;
• improve the overall tone of the body;
• eliminate congestive manifestations in bone joints and joints.

With pain syndrome caused by spasm of the pectoral muscles, special exercises are quite effective.

Each case is individual, therefore, exercises should be selected in accordance with the specific situation. The course of physical activity is compiled taking into account possible concomitant diseases and the physical capabilities of the patient.

A contraindication to exercise therapy is the acute period of development of intercostal neuralgia, when pain spasms are most pronounced. At the same time, the discomfort is so strong that even the smallest movements can be unbearable torture. Physiotherapy exercises can be started only after the pain syndrome is stopped with the help of medications and other events assigned by the specialist.

General approach to exercise therapy for intercostal neuralgia

In order for gymnastics not to cause harm, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules, following which the rehabilitation time will be significantly reduced:

• before starting the main exercises, first you need to warm up properly, for this you can make head turns, tilts and shake your limbs;
• first you need to use the minimum load, it should be increased gradually and systematically;
• the exercise therapy course should consist of movements that are primarily aimed at stretching the spine, strengthening the spinal muscles and abdominal muscles;
• all movements should be performed smoothly, without jerks and sudden movements;
• it is strictly forbidden to perform those actions that cause pain;
• back muscles should be relaxed;
• if some movements seem too heavy, they must be removed from the course;
• gymnastics should become a habit and become a daily routine.

Main complex

Each session should start with the same exercise. It is performed in a supine position. Lying on the back, the arms are extended behind the head, it is also done with the legs at the same time. In this case, the limbs should stretch in different directions.

This exercise is like stretching in bed in the morning. It perfectly stretches the muscles of the limbs and the spine, while facilitating the flow of blood. It must be performed several times before proceeding to the main complex. Do not forget that between exercises you need to take short breaks.

An effective set of exercises for the prevention of relapses and the treatment of exacerbations of intercostal neuralgia:

Additional medical complex

In order to effectively treat intercostal neuralgia with exercise therapy, the following should be added to the main set of exercises:

A video set of exercises that will help relieve chest pain with intercostal neuralgia:

Exercises with an ice compress and a fitball

Useful exercises for the treatment of intercostal neuralgia can be performed using auxiliary items.

First you need to sit on the fitball. For this exercise, you need to use a rubber band folded in half. At the same time, one end is thrown over the right foot, and the left one is set aside. The second end is clamped in the right hand. Then, with the elbow of the left hand, we lean on the left knee and, exhaling, we straighten right hand diagonally. Repeat the whole complex of movements 15 times. The same is done on the other side.

The second option involves the use of a towel. It must be folded four times and placed in a plastic bag. In this state, put it in the freezer for about an hour. When the ice compress is ready, it is placed between the shoulder blades or under the lower back, depending on where the pain syndrome is observed during the moments of exacerbation. At the same time, the legs are laid on the fitball, and the arms are retracted so that the palms are at ear level. In this position, the shoulder blades need to be torn off the floor 10 times.

In the same position as the previous exercise, only with the palms moving to the floor, we perform a pelvic lift.

The exercise therapy complex may include other exercises, the most basic and effective ones are proposed above, which can be used even at home. In addition to physiotherapy exercises, you can additionally use yoga - such training develops the flexibility of joints and muscles.

Do not forget that it is better not to use exercise therapy as an independent method of treatment and you should not choose a set of exercises on your own either. All appointments must be made by a specialist. Additionally, you can use non-traditional methods of treatment, including manual therapy, acupuncture, and more.

Arthritis of the spine: causes, symptoms, treatment of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis of the spine is a severe systemic disease characterized by damage to the spine, namely the cartilage layer, articular surfaces and liaison apparatus.
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common autoimmune diseases that are difficult to treat and lead to a gradual loss of physical activity and disability. Despite the fact that timely diagnosis and treatment can help reduce degenerative changes in the joints, the question of the curability of the disease is still acute in modern medicine. Arthritis of the spine is one of the most severe rheumatic diseases, because clinical manifestations begin already at advanced stages of the disease.

What are the causes of the disease?

There are still disputes among scientists around the world about the occurrence of this disease. Currently, there are several main reasons:

• Heredity. Violation in the chromosomal set leads to the transmission of the disease from generation to generation.
• Failure in the immune system. In connection with a violation of immunity, a violation of the body's homeostasis occurs, while special cells that perform a protective function begin to attack their own environments, namely, the connective tissue in the human body, this underlies the autoimmune process
• Infections. Exposure to the body of certain viruses (for example, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, rubella and herpes virus) is a catalyst for the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.

Classification of rheumatoid arthritis of the spine.

There are several classifications of rheumatoid arthritis of the spine, consider the main ones.

Depending on the extent of inflammation:

• Monoarthritis - localization of inflammation between two adjacent vertebrae (one affected area)
• Oligoarthritis - 2 intervertebral joints are involved in inflammation
• Polyarthritis - more than 2 joints of the spine are affected (generalized form)

Depending on laboratory parameters of blood (rheumatoid factor):

• Seronegative - the absence of rheumatoid factor in the blood or synovial fluid (20%)
• Seropositive - the presence of rheumatoid factor in the blood or synovial fluid (80%)

Depending on the location of inflammation in the spine:

• Arthritis cervical spine;
• Arthritis of the thoracic region;
• Arthritis of the lumbar and sacral regions.

Depending on the x-ray picture, 4 stages are distinguished:

1. Initial. It is characterized by the onset of joint destruction and the development of osteoporosis.
2. It is characterized by narrowing of the interarticular spaces and signs of osteoporosis.
3. The formation of erosions and outgrowths on bone and cartilage tissues joins.
4. It is characterized by fusion of the intervertebral spaces, i.e. ankylosis formation.

Symptoms and physical changes in the joints.

The clinical manifestations of the disease are different and include not only lesions of the spinal tract, but also other systems and organs. Also, the disease is characterized not only by local changes in the joints, but also by a deterioration in the general condition of the body.

The initial stage of arthritis of the spine includes the following symptoms:

• Increase in body temperature (up to 37.8-38.5);
• Pain in the eyes, in the frontal region, headaches;
• General weakness, fatigue;
• A sharp decrease in body weight, loss of appetite;
• Nausea and vomiting, dizziness;
• Weakness and spasm in the muscles.

Also, already at the beginning of the disease, arthritis appears soreness in the affected parts of the spine. The pain begins in the morning, is accompanied by stiffness and difficulty in movement. After physical activity, the pain subsides.

The defeat of each part of the spine has its own characteristics:

• Cervical region - intense headaches, dizziness. Perhaps numbness of the muscles of the arms, hands, chest. Difficulty moving in the neck. It is the most common site of injury.
• The thoracic region - periodic pain in the chest, similar to pain in intercostal neuralgia. Difficulty breathing, decreased chest excursion, shortness of breath are possible. Over time, there is a feeling of numbness in the upper limbs.
• Lumbar region - sharp prolonged pain in the projection of the sciatic nerve (lumbar ischialgia), cuts and feelings of numbness in lower limbs, buttocks. In the later stages, there is a violation of the digestive tract, urinary system.

In addition to the joints, rheumatoid arthritis also affects other systems and organs:

• Skin: the appearance of dense painless nodules, dryness, peeling
• Blood vessels: fragility, increased permeability of the vascular wall, vasculitis and thrombovasculitis. In the later stages, damage to medium and large vessels joins
• Heart: decrease in the contractile function of the heart, myocardial dystrophy, pericarditis. Clinically manifested as a heart rhythm disturbance, mild pain in the region of the heart, pathological noises
• Kidneys: in the later stages, amyloidosis develops (deposition of protein - amyloid), glomerulonephritis
• Lungs: pneumonia, pleurisy, rheumatoid nodules on the larynx and pleura, pulmonary hypertension
• Liver: hepatosis, amyloidosis, necrosis of hepatocytes and, as a result, cirrhosis of the liver.
• Nervous system: various neuropathies with sensations of burning, pain. Possible convulsions up to loss of consciousness
• Digestive system: amyloidosis, atrophic changes, ulceration, colitis and enteritis.

Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis of the spine.

Diagnosis of the initial stages of an autoimmune disease is often difficult. With the addition of typical symptoms of the disease, typical laboratory and x-ray pictures, the diagnosis is not difficult.
When the first symptoms of the disease are detected, it is necessary to consult a general practitioner, who, in turn, if an autoimmune disease is suspected, will refer to a rheumatologist. Obligatory examination by a neurologist, traumatologist, surgeon.

Diagnosis for arthritis of the spine consists of several parts:

1) Laboratory studies:

• Complete blood count: ESR (increase indicates inflammation), leukocytes (increase indicates immune disorders), platelets, hemoglobin, erythrocytes also look.
• Biochemical blood test: rheumatoid tests (C-reactive protein, Rheumatoid factor, etc.), Immunoglobulins A, M, G, sialic acids, seromucoid (inflammatory markers), also look for proteins, ALT, AST, CK, CK-MB.

The presence of anti-Cetrulline antibodies (ACCP test) is a marker of rheumatoid arthritis.

• Analysis of synovial fluid may indicate an autoimmune nature of the disease. The presence of protein complexes, an increase in the amount of protein, a decrease in glucose levels indicate the rheumatic nature of the disease. The liquid is yellowish, turbid with low viscosity.

2) Instrumental research methods:

1. Scintigraphy is a radioisotope method of treatment that allows you to determine inflammatory processes in the body.
2. Radiography is the method of choice, which allows you to determine not only the stage of the process, but also bone deformities: erosion, osteoporosis, ankylosis, growths. To determine the stage of the process, special methods have been developed (according to Sharp, Larsen).
3. Arthroscopy is a microscopic examination of the joints. This study also allows you to take material for histological examination.
4. Magnetic resonance and CT scan- one of modern methods research and determination of the extent of the lesion. Allows you to determine the stage, erosion, outgrowths.
5. Ultrasound diagnostics is an additional research method that allows you to assess the condition of the internal organs and the prevalence of the autoimmune process.

Treatment of arthritis of the spine.

In the treatment of arthritis of the spine, an integrated approach plays an important role. After all, only a competent combination of therapy, exercise, massage can not only stop the disease, but also return the patient to a full-fledged lifestyle.

Treatment can be conditionally divided into several types:

conservative

General therapy includes the appointment of the following groups of drugs:

Complementary Therapies

With the onset of remission of arthritis of the spine, it is recommended to take massage courses, engage in therapeutic and recreational gymnastics, swimming, visit more fresh air. Good results can be achieved with the use of physiotherapy: laser and magnetic therapy, paraffin baths, electrophoresis, reflexology.

Treatment of arthritis with traditional medicine.

Alternative methods of treatment, in addition to traditional medicine, can reduce pain, reduce inflammation.

• Burning and soreness in the back will help reduce warming ointments based on red pepper, mustard, camphor and glycerin. Then the contents are rubbed into the painful area, covered with a film and wrapped with a woolen scarf.
• Compress with honey has anti-inflammatory activity. To prepare it, you need to mix aloe juice, 100 gr. honey and 100 gr. vodka. Mix the ingredients, wet the gauze and apply to the arthritis-affected spine, leave overnight.
• Herbal infusions of sunflower, celery help relieve inflammation well. Dry herbs are poured with boiling water and infused for 1-2 hours. Take a decoction 2 times a day, 100 ml.

Therapeutic exercises for the spine.

Daily gymnastics during the remission of the disease can improve well-being, make the joints more mobile and flexible.

Spinal stretching exercises help soreness, improve mobility and blood circulation in the affected joints. Pilates and yoga classes with the selection of an individual program have a beneficial effect. Hiking, jogging, swimming, nordic walking also have a beneficial effect on both the affected spine and the body as a whole. Training 1-2 times a week can be brought up to 4-5 single sessions.

Here are some exercises that will reduce soreness and reduce the load on the spine:

Disease prognosis

There are factors that can predict the prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The slow course of the disease, the age of onset of arthritis is more than 40-45 years, rare episodes of exacerbation (no more than 1-3 per year) may indicate a favorable prognosis for the disease. Subject to the implementation of all recommendations of the doctor.

If exacerbations of the disease occur frequently, rheumatoid arthritis has spread to several parts of the spine, as well as other organs and tissues (heart, kidneys, lungs, liver), while high numbers of inflammatory markers are found in laboratory parameters, we can conclude that the course of the disease is unfavorable. At the same time, the probability of disability and death of the disease is high.

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With protrusion of the thoracic spine, the symptoms appear taking into account the severity of the course of the disease. The thoracic region has additional fixation with a costal arch and low mobility of its segments. Gradually, excessive physical work provokes protrusion of the discs.

Etiology of the disease

Pathology can have many causes:

• muscle weakness;
• deformation of the sternum with its traumatic injuries;
• another pathology that violates the integrity of the intervertebral and articular-ligamentous apparatus.

Protrusion of the thoracic region, what is the essence of the pathology? The thoracic part of the spine is 12 vertebrae with discs. Their role is to cushion the spinal column. Ribs are attached to the sides of the vertebrae. The processes of the vertebrae create a special canal to protect the spinal cord. The integrity of the vertebrae, intervertebral discs is maintained by muscles and ligaments.

The discs in the spine are cartilaginous elements. They are deprived of their own microcirculation. Nutrition occurs through diffusion. Therefore, minimal damage to the anatomical components of the spine affects the work and nutrition of the discs.

Nutritional deficiency provokes signs of damage to the intervertebral elements. Destruction gradually develops: cracks appear in the cartilage, and then the nucleus pulposus itself falls out. Along the periphery of the disc is the fibrous ring - this is a rough connective tissue with increased strength. When the core is displaced, it only stretches without breaking. This is how the protrusion of the thoracic spine is formed. Breakthrough of the fibrous ring forms a hernia of the spine.

clinic of disease

Symptoms and treatment are interrelated. Initial stages diseases are asymptomatic. The patient may feel a slight tingling sensation when turning or lifting heavy objects. A person “writes off” everything to fatigue, and the disease progresses.

The clinic of protrusion in the thoracic region increases sharply when the nerves are pinched. The most common patient complaints:

• soreness in the back and the site of the affected vertebra;
• morning stiffness due to tissue swelling;
• a sharp increase in pain when performing movements;
• weakening of the strength of the intercostal muscles, their soreness with minimal movement.

Each symptom of protrusion in the thoracic region cannot be called specific. Similar complaints occur in other pathologies (damage to internal organs, neuritis, neuralgia). This makes it difficult to diagnose and verify the condition.

To confirm the protrusion of the thoracic discs, magnetic resonance, ultrasound, and x-rays are used.

Some patients with thoracic disc prolapse complain of pain in the head, jumps in blood pressure due to vascular overstrain. Similar symptoms occur with damage to the heart, brain and blood vessels. Therefore, to make a final diagnosis, it is imperative to consult with cardiologists and neuropathologists.

Bulging discs are accompanied by vivid neurological symptoms:

• paresis of the upper limbs in symmetrical areas - limitation of their mobility;
• soreness of the spine itself, which sharply increases with probing;
• with lateral localization of the lesion, limited soreness is observed at certain points.

The protrusion of the discs of the thoracic spine infringes on many roots. These may include fibers that innervate internal organs. In this case, there is a bright clinic of soreness in the chest or in the abdomen. Similar symptoms mimic a heart attack or an attack of acute pancreatitis. Rarely, but there is a sagittal variant of pain in the upper abdomen, which is more like an exacerbation of an ulcer.

Diagnosis of the disease

It is important to diagnose the disease in a timely and correct manner, since the treatment of the disease depends on the prevalence of the process and the type of lesion (median, lateral or median-lateral protrusion). An MRI is prescribed to assess the localization and features of the condition. This is the "gold" standard for diagnosing spinal lesions.

Based on the obtained images, specialists are able to determine:

• the presence of cracks;
• disc prolapse rate.

Indirect methods are used to diagnose the disease in hospitals. The diagnosis is made on the basis of an x-ray examination of the thoracic region in two projections. Additionally, examinations by a neuropathologist and a therapist are carried out. With such an examination, it is difficult to talk about a specially selected treatment. Therapy of such patients is carried out according to the general principles of the combined scheme.

The availability of facilities does not always allow for an MRI. There are some contraindications to this procedure:

• the presence of a pacemaker in the patient's body;
• claustrophobia is a pathological fear of closed spaces.

Therapy Methods

How to treat protrusion of the thoracic region? The best therapy is the prevention of this pathology. For this use:

• manual therapy;
• osteopathy;
• therapeutic physical therapy;
• physiotherapy;
• herbal medicine.

Manual therapy is applicable to combat tingling in the back. Such therapy allows you to strengthen the muscular corset. Due to the influence on active points, reflex stabilization of problem areas occurs.

Massage improves nutrition, restoring damaged areas of the spine, normalizing metabolism and oxygen consumption. The disease recedes. Osteopathy is often used to restore the normal position of the vertebrae.

Therapeutic gymnastics for protrusion is carried out using different techniques. A moderate load on the musculoskeletal apparatus allows you to strengthen it, normalizing the blood supply to the damaged areas. Exercise therapy helps stretch the spine. Such a complex consists of those exercises that are designed to normalize motor activity and eliminate protrusion of the discs.

Physiotherapy is designed to eliminate inflammatory tissue changes. It allows you to normalize blood flow in the spinal column. More commonly used phonophoresis, electrophoresis. Experts recommend treating protrusions with qualified techniques. At the same time, it is possible to cure vertebroneurological, myofascial and reflex disorders, ensuring freedom of movement.

The use of additional methods of therapy

The choice of treatment tactics is carried out by the doctor, guided by certain principles:

• elimination of etiological factors;
• form and stage of the disease;
• normalization of the functional abilities of the patient.

Pathology may be accompanied by a significant displacement of the vertebrae themselves due to their instability. To enhance muscle fixation, stabilize the spinal segment, use:

• wearing corsets;
• measures to stretch the spine;
• bed rest;
• exclusion of any physical activity.

In some cases, drug therapy is used to develop muscle fixation. Prescribe drugs that stimulate tissue repair (Plasmol). Anabolics are used. They are indicated for building muscle tissue, therefore they are prescribed for severe dystrophies (Nerobolil). Treatment in a department is indicated in severe cases or in the presence of a strong compression syndrome. In such cases apply:

• therapy of the compression factor itself;
• traction treatment;
• manual procedures (charging, massage);
• decongestant effects;
• stimulation of the immune system.

Such patients are prescribed dehydration therapy. She relieves pain. Within a week, the condition stabilizes. When the nerves are pinched, there is irritation of the sinoatrial node. This causes an irregular heartbeat. In such cases, drugs are prescribed to restore the functionality of the heart.

The main tasks of therapy:

• normalization of blood flow and nutrition of the entire spinal column;
• minimizing inflammation in surrounding structures.

Modern treatment of problems with the spine includes the use of innovative methods of therapy.