Irritation and active compression of the nerve roots in the spine or intercostal neuralgia: symptoms and treatment at home, first aid for pain. How to cure intercostal neuralgia

Neuralgia intercostal nerves refers to diseases peripheral part nervous system and is a consequence of compression or irritation of the spinal nerve roots.

Causes of neuralgia

changes in the thoracic spine: osteochondrosis, scoliosis, primary tumors or metastases, ankylosing spondylitis;
injuries chest;
impact low temperatures(hypothermia);
excessive physical exercise;
defeat nerve ganglion herpes virus type 3 (herpes zoster).

Symptoms of intercostal neuralgia

The symptoms of the disease are quite clear:

intense girdle pain along the intercostal spaces;
painful sensations aggravated by palpation and movements: breathing, turning, and bending the body to the affected side;
possible sensations of tingling, burning, crawling “goosebumps”;
In the case of herpes zoster, blistering rashes appear on the skin.

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to fully verify the diagnosis, since pain in this localization also occurs in other diseases.

Differences from other diseases

It is very important not to confuse neuralgia with angina or myocardial infarction. These are serious conditions that require immediate, adequate medical attention.

With angina, the pain is localized in the middle of the chest, behind the sternum, and can radiate to the left shoulder blade or shoulder. It goes away within 15 minutes with rest or after taking nitroglycerin. The nature of the pain is pressing, squeezing. The pain is not associated with movement.
With myocardial infarction, the pain is prolonged - more than 15 minutes. Does not decrease when taking nitroglycerin. Arterial pressure falls. Protrudes on the skin cold sweat, a feeling of fear appears.

In addition, chest pain also occurs with pleurisy:

discomfort located on the side of the chest, pain intensifies with movement. However, when bending the body, the pain will increase if you bend in the healthy direction. There is shortness of breath, fever, and there may be a cough.

Organ diseases digestive system have the following features:

With pancreatitis, pain occurs in the left hypochondrium. Consumption provokes an attack fatty foods, alcohol. Nausea and vomiting are observed. Taking antispasmodics (no-spa) helps reduce pain.
When peptic ulcer unpleasant sensations are localized in upper sections abdomen, may spread to the shoulder blade or spine. The occurrence is associated with food intake. Pain is reduced by the use of antacids (Almagel, Gastal) or drugs that reduce secretion of hydrochloric acid(omeprazole). After vomiting the condition improves.
At cholelithiasis the process is localized in the right hypochondrium, stabbing pain. Nausea and bitterness in the mouth may be present. The condition is alleviated by the use of antispasmodics.

Treatment of intercostal neuralgia

The disease can be successfully treated at home.

Observe strict bed rest, preferably on a hard surface.
At the location of pain, including thoracic region spine, use dry heat(warmed sand, woolen scarf).
To relieve pain, medications with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects (NSAIDs) are taken. For more quick effect it is advisable to start with injection forms. Meloxicam solution is used intramuscularly, 1.5 ml per day. within three days or diclofenac 3 ml up to 2 times a day. Ketorol has a powerful analgesic effect. Apply 1 ml intramuscularly once or twice a day. Increasing the number of injections of this drug should be discussed with your doctor. After the course of injections, treatment with tablet forms is continued. General course NSAID treatment should not exceed 10 days (for ketorol no more than 5). To prevent the development of erosive and ulcerative complications from the stomach and duodenum You should definitely take omeprazole (20 mg at night). The use of such forms of medications as various anti-inflammatory ointments and gels has an auxiliary function. They can be combined with injections and pills.
Good therapeutic effect provides the use of B vitamins. There are combined forms for intramuscular and oral administration, in which vitamins are in optimal combination. These include milgamma or combilipen as well as neuromultivitis. Unfortunately, the latter is available exclusively in tablets. The first 5 days of the disease do intramuscular injections 2 ml per day, and then take the drug in tablet form (milgamma compositum, combilipen tabs, neuromultivit 1 time per day).
If the cause of neuralgia is herpes zoster, then it is advisable to prescribe antiviral drugs. For example, acyclovir 4 tablets 5 times a day. Duration of therapy is 7 days.

You should consult a doctor if the intensity of pain does not decrease as a result of treatment at home. The following treatment measures may be prescribed:

Intercostal novocaine blockades. Represent an introduction local anesthetics to the area of the affected nerve. After the blockade, the pain goes away within the next few minutes.
Additionally apply anticonvulsants(finlepsin, gabapentin).
Physiotherapy has a good therapeutic effect: ultraviolet irradiation UHF and UHF therapy. To reduce pain, lidocaine electrophoresis is performed.

From folk ways The following methods of treatment deserve attention:

Honey compresses. They have an anti-inflammatory and warming effect, have wide application V medical practice. Pre-lubricating the skin vegetable oil, apply honey in a thin layer, cover the top with a plastic bag and a warm scarf. You can add black radish juice.
Alcohol compresses in combination with various herbs (yarrow, birch buds, willow bark, wormwood) also have a warming, analgesic effect, and reduce muscle spasms.
The following collection has a good anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect: two parts of Scots pine buds and St. John's wort herb, three parts of black elderberry flowers. To prepare the infusion, take half a liter of water for two tablespoons of the collection and boil in a water bath for 15 minutes. Take 1/2 cup before meals, 4 times a day for up to two weeks.

It should be noted that folk remedies can only be used in addition to traditional medicine. If treatment at home is ineffective, you should seek qualified medical help.

The symptoms of neuralgia are numerous. There are many etiological factors for the disease. It is difficult to differentiate the pathology. Only after excluding other diseases does the doctor suggest neurological disorders.

Causes of neuralgia

The main causes of neuralgic disorders:

Viral damage to the nerve sheaths;
Hypothermia of the body;
Severe intoxication of the body;
Bacterial infection;
Aortic aneurysm and compression of nearby nerves;
Penetrating wounds inside the chest;
Dislocation of the shoulder joint;
Falling onto an outstretched arm;
High tourniquet application.

It is better to consider the causes of neuralgia from the point of view tunnel syndromes. Only in newborns etiological factors differ from the causes of pathology in adults:

Incorrect obstetric care;
Hemorrhages;
Stretching of nerve fibers;
Incorrect presentation of the fetus;
Large fruit;
Gluteal and leg presentation.

Neuritis in the presence of the conditions described above is observed in children immediately after birth. But it is not immediately possible to establish the symptoms of the disease. The presence of intrauterine diseases makes diagnosis especially difficult.

Tunnel causes of neuralgia

Doctors prefer to explain the causes of neuralgia in terms of tunnel neuropathies. The etiological factor for the narrowing of the channels through which the nerves pass:

Functional;
Anomaly;
Mechanical;
Vascular;
Hormonal;
Inflammatory;
Dysmetabolic.

The gradation does not include all possible etiological factors of neuralgia, but determines treatment tactics. The multifactorial nature of the disease does not allow us to distinguish specific symptoms, characteristic of all types of neurasthenic conditions. Due to the difficulty of identifying the etiology, treatment of the disease at home is difficult.

The study of family history allows us to determine decompensation of trophic systems, impaired blood supply, axoplasmic flow, and local microtrauma. Both the narrowness of the canals and the lack of neurotrophic systems are transmitted along the genetic line.

A study of patients with tunnel neuropathies by scientists found that neuropathy symptoms and treatment are influenced by the width and length of the tunnel. Sliding motion nerve fiber along the tunnel allows you to determine the swelling of the neural current, swelling of the intraneural space.

The diameter of the canal affects formed, tonic, stereotypic movements. With slight narrowing of the canal sciatic nerve Patients experience stereotypical postures:

Leg-crossing position;
"Squatting".

The reverse situation is when a person takes the selected poses long time, also promotes nerve compression. When sitting cross-legged, compression of the peroneal nerve is formed; compression of the 4th intermetatarsal nerve in Morton's canal occurs when sitting in a squatting position.

Intercostal neuralgia is compression or irritation of the intercostal nerves. The causes of the disease may be various diseases: osteochondrosis, trauma spinal column or chest, even common cold. In addition, the impetus can be a careless sudden movement, unusual physical activity, being in a draft, or any other situation that can cause muscle spasm, which leads to irritation of the nerve endings.

Symptoms of intercostal neuralgia

This disease is characterized by:

periodic attacks of pain at the moment of inspiration. The pain can be sharp or dull, burning or aching, but it always interferes normal breathing;
possible muscle spasms, tingling in the chest;
the skin changes its usual color - turns pale or red;
sudden movements (changes in body position, coughing, sneezing) increase pain;
pain can be localized in the heart area, under the shoulder blade, in lumbar region backs.

Do not confuse intercostal neuralgia with pathology of the heart muscle. The symptoms of the diseases are similar, but the treatment is completely different. Lost time due to incorrect diagnosis can be decisive, so consultation with a specialist is mandatory!

In heart disease, pain does not depend on body position or sudden movements and stops quite quickly after taking it medicines. Unlike this disease, with intercostal neuralgia painful sensations are long lasting and intensify with active movement.

Symptoms of the disease can occur in adults and children, and in men the pain is usually localized on the left - in the left hypochondrium, and in women on the right - in the region of the heart. IN childhood Such problems are observed before puberty, when the child’s skeleton begins to actively grow.

Treatment at home

Medication treatment at home

Drug treatment of intercostal neuralgia, unfortunately, is aimed only at relieving symptoms and general support body, that is, the patient is prescribed a course of vitamins, focusing on B vitamins, painkillers and relaxants to relieve muscle spasms. Anti-inflammatory drugs are sometimes added to this list, but their effectiveness is increasingly being questioned. List of tablets used for pain relief:

Analgin;
Tempalgin;
Ketorolac;
Ortofen et al.

Ointments that are used to treat intercostal neuralgia:

Voltaren;
Ketonal cream;
Apizartron and others.

In addition, when treating at home, the patient is recommended to rest in bed for a period of one to three days with the maximum possible straightening of the spine, i.e., the body should be positioned horizontally on a sufficiently hard surface. To achieve this effect, you can use a kind of shield (any smooth solid object, suitable in size), placed under the mattress.

After pain relief, diagnostics are required to determine the real reason diseases. If it is established that intercostal neuralgia is the consequences of one of common diseases(cold, stress, infection, diabetes, etc.), then they begin to treat this particular disease.

If the problem lies in a disease of the spine, then in parallel with drug relief pain in traditional medicine, various physiotherapeutic procedures are used: physical therapy and massage, acupuncture, laser therapy, manual therapy, ultrasound, and similar methods of relieving stress on nerve endings. At serious problems A spinal traction procedure may be prescribed.

Any physiotherapy should be prescribed by a specialist - there is a possibility of worsening the situation by using incorrectly chosen procedures.

How to relieve pain at home

The very first step is to make sure that the pain is not caused by a heart disease. If it is impossible to get to a doctor, call an ambulance.

Heart problems can only be confirmed or ruled out using an ECG. Self-diagnosis in this matter is unacceptable.

If you are sure that the pain is caused by intercostal neuralgia, then you need to warm the affected area - this will slightly reduce the muscle spasm. At home, using a heating pad, mustard plaster, anti-inflammatory ointments, pepper plaster, heated salt or sand will help. A warm bandage (scarf, shawl) is applied over the warming agents or a sweater is put on.

As with drug treatment, it is necessary at least a short time endure bed rest. In combination with warming the affected area, rest will relieve spasm and reduce pain.

Several recipes for folk remedies

Pain relief is only the first stage in the treatment of intercostal neuralgia. To obtain a stable result and guarantee against the return of attacks, a long course of treatment is required. This can be done using folk remedies, but only if the doctor has confirmed the diagnosis.

If the patient is not sure of the origin of the pain, the use of any means can be harmful. In addition, time will be lost to begin proper treatment.

The main problem in using folk remedies is the duration of the course. It is necessary to continue the procedures for a long time; stopping halfway will not bring results, and may even worsen the condition.

External use - rubs and compresses:

Glycerin and iodine

Glycerin is mixed with iodine in a 1:1 ratio.
The mixture is poured into a dark glass container (to protect it from exposure to light) and shaken thoroughly - the ingredients should be well mixed.
Using a cotton swab, apply the product to the painful area of the back, carefully avoiding the spine area. You need to lubricate the skin with light movements, without rubbing the mixture, as this can cause a burn. Apply a loose bandage on top or simply put on underwear made from natural fabrics (not synthetics).

Iodine warms up the muscles well and relieves pain, but you need to make sure that the patient does not get caught in a random draft or make sudden movements - this can worsen the situation. It is recommended to perform the procedure before bedtime, so that you can immediately go to bed and cover yourself warmly. The course of application is 12-15 sessions with an interval of one day.

During any procedures, the spine area should not be affected. Only a competent specialist can work with the spine.

Birch bud tincture

You can collect the buds yourself (if it’s spring outside) or purchase them at the pharmacy.

pour a handful of buds with vodka (0.5 l);
leave for ten days in a cool, dark place.

Rub the affected area with birch bud tincture better evening. The product can be used during the day if the patient does not intend to leave the house. Be sure to wrap up the mashed area or dress warmly.

Radish or horseradish juice

Freshly squeezed juice is rubbed into the back in the direction from the spinal column (the spine itself is not affected). This product has a pronounced warming effect, but can cause irritation on the skin. Before use, you should do a test for individual tolerance. If necessary, the hot juice can be replaced with flax or wormwood seeds. The grains are poured with boiling water or steamed in a bag over steam and applied to the affected area.

Olive or sea buckthorn oil, ground with flax or wormwood seeds, will soften the skin and add effectiveness to the procedure.

Lilac buds and internal pork fat

An effective ointment can be prepared at home. Dried lilac buds are ground with internal fat at the rate of 1 part kidneys to 4 parts lard. The composition is rubbed into the sore spot as needed.

Camphor, mustard, egg white

Another version of the ointment is prepared from camphor (50 ml), dry mustard (50 g) and about 100 ml of raw egg white(one egg may not be enough). Camphor oil mix with mustard powder and add lightly beaten egg white. Mix everything thoroughly. Be sure to store the ointment in the refrigerator; warm the composition slightly in your palms before applying.

Bodyaga tincture

This freshwater sponge is infused with vodka, alcohol, moonshine for several weeks in a dark place. Rub the prepared tincture on the affected area overnight. The alcohol infusion can be prepared in advance; it holds up well long-term storage.

Burdock leaves

An ordinary weed sometimes works just as well medicines. The only catch is that the leaves must be freshly cut. Alternatively, you can prepare a few leaves in advance and store them in the refrigerator, but the more time passes from the moment of collection, the less benefit will remain in the burdock. The method of application is simple - wash the leaf and apply inside to the affected area, wrap warmly and leave overnight.

Geranium leaves

Leaves indoor plant(3 – 4 pcs.) Apply to the sore spot and secure with a bandage made of natural fabric. Keep the compress for two hours, during which time you need to replace the geranium leaves with fresh ones several times. This remedy relieves pain well and can be used during every attack.

Valerian tincture

The product is used as a compress. A napkin made of natural fabric (linen, cotton) is moistened with tincture and placed on the painful area, covered with a film on top and wrapped warmly. In this case, just warm clothes are not enough; you need a bandage that is not too tight so that the compress remains in the desired position. At the same time, the bandage should not interfere with movements or put too much pressure on the chest, interfering with normal breathing. You can keep this compress for several hours; you should not leave it overnight - the alcohol contained in the tincture can cause a burn. Valerian relieves pain, relaxes and calms.

Potatoes and onions

Another version of the compress is made from grated on a coarse grater. raw potatoes and onions. The recommended proportion is 1:1, but it is advisable to check individual tolerance for small area skin. If painful sensations occur, change the proportions of the compress towards increasing the potato mass.

The resulting mixture is applied to the sore spot and the cake is held until completely dry. The compress can be secured with a bandage or simply lie down without moving until the mixture dries.

Sedatives

Decoction of mint leaves with honey

This remedy is taken orally as a sedative. The decoction is prepared from fresh or dried peppermint leaves; regular mint is not suitable for salads. You will need a handful of fresh leaves or 1 tbsp. l. dry. Pour a glass of boiling water over the herb, cover and leave for about half an hour. Then you need to strain the infusion, you can add a couple of teaspoons of honey. Take half a glass twice a day.

Infusion of lemon balm and orange peels

It is too depressant. Dry and chop the orange peel (you can chop it finely before drying), mix with dry lemon balm leaves in a 1:1 ratio. Pour one tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water, cover and leave for 10 minutes, strain and add 1 tsp. alcohol infusion of valerian. If desired, you can add a little honey to the mixture. Take the product twice a day, a glass, for a month.

Taking a sedative in the morning can reduce the reaction rate, which is especially dangerous for drivers, so it is recommended to reduce the dose or not drive.

Therapeutic baths

A decoction of young aspen bark is used for a medicinal bath.

Young thin branches of aspen or poplar (0.5 kg) are poured with water and boiled for half an hour.
Then they insist for the same time.
The resulting decoction is added to bath water (water temperature approximately 40 degrees).

clean water

Elderly people and those who suffer from certain diseases (for example, heart problems) should consult a doctor before using baths - these procedures put a lot of stress on the body, and instead of the expected benefits, they can cause harm.

It’s sad, but often the cause of intercostal neuralgia is age. Time cannot be stopped or rewinded, so take care of yourself and take care of your spine. Follow the well-known rules - a little movement, a little self-control and food restrictions, positive attitude- and live happily ever after.

A neurologist talks about the symptoms and treatment of neuralgia highest category, Candidate of Medical Sciences, M. V. Goncharova:

What is neuralgia?

Neuralgia- is not independent disease, but a symptom of some disease. Pain occurs along the damaged nerve. Due to the fact that nerves are located throughout the body, pain can appear anywhere: on the face, in the lower back, in the back of the head. The name depends on the location of the pain: intercostal, occipital, facial, trigeminal, sciatic nerve.

Neuralgia - symptoms and treatment

Symptoms.

The main symptom of neuralgia– pain, and the pain is such that it cannot be confused with any other: sharp, shooting, several times stronger than toothache. The pain can last from a few seconds to several hours. Seizures do not leave a person either day or night.

Causes:

Injuries
Intoxication, including alcohol
Infectious diseases
Herniated discs
Diabetes
Oncological diseases
Immune system problems

Before treating neuralgia, you need to find a symptom of what disease it is, and get to the bottom of the cause.
Often neuralgia is disguised as other diseases: renal colic, toothache, heart attack.

How to relieve an attack of pain due to neuralgia?

What should I do to wait until I see a neurologist?

First you need to find a position that will help alleviate the condition. If neuralgic pain passes through the spine, it is advisable to immobilize the affected part of the spine. It is better to do this while lying down. The lower back can be tied with a woolen scarf. But if the cause of neuralgia is injury, warming the diseased nerve is contraindicated, since heat increases swelling.
You can relieve neuralgic pain with warming ointments, pepper patch, horseradish leaves.
Take painkillers. It is better if they are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: diclofenac, nurofen, nimesil, movalis, voltaren.

Drug treatment of neuralgia. How to relieve neuralgic pain?

Once in the hands of a doctor, the patient must find out exactly the causes of neuralgia. For this purpose it is carried out full examination body. They begin to treat the underlying disease that caused the neuralgia. At the same time, they relieve symptoms with the help of painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and blockades with analgesics.
For the treatment of neuralgia trigeminal nerve The anticonvulsant finlepsin is used. It is used with great caution, not exceeding daily norm at 800 mg. Dosage regimen: 1/4 tablet in the morning, 1/4 tablet in the afternoon, 1/2 tablet at night.
When the pain can be reduced, you need to think about restoring the mobility of the damaged joints. For this purpose, chondoprotectors are used - teraflex, alflupon, structum.
During treatment, it is advisable to use physiotherapy, massage, and reflexology.

Treatment of neuralgia with folk remedies.

Treatment with herbs takes a long time, and an attack of neuralgic pain must be relieved as soon as possible, since it is impossible to endure it for a long time. But for those who can tolerate it, the following recipes will be useful: traditional medicine.

willow bark. Pour 10 g of crushed bark into 1 cup of boiling water, simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, cool, strain. Drink 1 tbsp. l. 3-4 times a day before meals.
Yarrow. 1 tbsp. l. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the herbs, cover and leave for 1 hour. Take in the same way as willow decoction. This folk remedy has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
Camomile tea. Has an anticonvulsant and sedative effect. 4 tbsp. l. Pour 300 ml of boiling water over the flowers. Insist. Take 100 g 3 times a day.
Burdock. Burdock leaves or indoor geranium good for relieving pain from neuralgia. Place the leaves on a linen cloth and bandage it to the sore spot, insulate it with a scarf.
Radish. Black radish juice has healing properties; it should be rubbed along the path of the diseased nerve. Instead of radish, you can use grated horseradish pulp, making compresses for 20-30 minutes (Source: newspaper “Bulletin of Healthy Lifestyle” 2011, No. 5, pp. 6-7).

Let's look at the most popular recipes for the treatment of neuralgia from the newspaper “Bulletin “Healthy Lifestyle””:

Compresses with salted wool.
You need to take a piece of woolen cloth of such size to cover the sore spot. Soak this gloss in salt water (2.5 tablespoons per 1 liter of water), squeeze, apply and secure with a bandage. Such compresses also help well with bruises (Source: newspaper “Vestnik ZOZH” 2013, No. 21 p. 33).
How to treat neuralgia with kombucha.
The woman had herpes on the left side of her face and head. After it, neuralgia of the trigeminal, facial and occipital nerves began. Attacks of pain followed one after another and no medications or ointments helped. There was a shooting in my ear, my throat hurt, my eyes couldn’t see, my face was frozen, as if in a spacesuit. The course of treatment in the hospital did not help.
One day the patient’s gaze fell on a jar of peroxided kombucha. Before pouring the infusion from the jar, she smeared it on her face. I wet my face with the infusion several times during the evening. And suddenly the pain completely subsided, and the woman was able to sleep peacefully for the first time in many months. She was treated with this remedy all winter, and the “freezing” gradually disappeared from her face. (Source: newspaper “Vestnik ZOZH” 2011, No. 9, p. 32).
Poplar bud ointment.
Mix 1 part powdered black poplar buds with 4 parts unsalted butter- the ointment is ready. You need to rub it into the sore spot - the pain goes away quickly. (

Intercostal neuralgia is a disease that often comes with age, for which there are reasons. It can be compared with osteochondrosis, since both diseases have similar causes. However, their symptoms have a number of differences. Another name for the disease, thoracalgia, has not caught on among the people; the colloquial name better reflects the essence of the disease, and therefore is easier to remember.

The physiological causes of the disease are pinched nerve endings in the chest area. The nerves seem to “short-circuit” and give signals with painful impulses. They create muscle spasms, disrupt metabolism and the functioning of the organs of the upper body. Since in this area of the body the nerves are located along the ribs, as if hugging the lungs and heart, the symptoms painful spasms may have the nature of heart disease. Attacks of pain can cover the chest, “shoot” in the upper torso, abdomen, so they are also confused with diseases digestive tract. However, as the disease progresses, the pain becomes stronger, shingles attacks can be prolonged and seriously interfere with normal life. Often osteochondrosis becomes a prerequisite for the development of neuralgia.

Causes of intercostal neuralgia

They can be external or internal. All of them cause the nerve wires to “short”, so all impulses entering the brain along such “spoiled” lines are interpreted as terrible pain. Responsive muscle spasms create real grounds for pain. In addition to muscle spasm, as with osteochondrosis, pinching may occur blood vessels together with nerve endings, which also negatively affects the development of the disease. Blood circulation and muscle nutrition deteriorate, which aggravates the patient’s condition and transfers the disease to the category of chronic.

Among the main causes of intercostal neuralgia, doctors indicate:

Injuries of the musculoskeletal system in the chest area;
Osteochondrosis;
Hypothermia of the chest muscles (for example, due to a draft);
A sharp change from passive behavior to physical activity;
Incorrect or inappropriate physical condition load, moving heavy objects;
Diseases of the chest and upper body;
Hormonal diseases, as well as cancer;
Increased tone of the back and shoulder muscles;
Stress;
Metabolic disorders in the body;
Wrong lifestyle (in terms of physical activity).

Symptoms of intercostal neuralgia

The main manifestation is pain, which is very diverse in intensity, location, duration, and character. There are other signs that indicate thoracalgia, although they are more likely the result of long term impairment work of nerves in the chest area. For doctors, they can serve as beacons, since intercostal neuralgia is often confused with heart attacks due to the similar clinical picture, but the treatment prescribed in these situations is completely different. Therefore, the production correct diagnosis and identifying intercostal neuralgia in time allows you to save time, money and, of course, the patient’s health.

Signs of thoracalgia:

Surrounding attacks of pain, which intensify with a sigh, movements of the upper body, with sudden breathing movements(coughing and sneezing bring another exacerbation);
The pain is accompanied by signs of poor circulation - redness or pallor skin; sudden increase in sweating;
The pain may wear different character- dull, sharp, burning, along the ribs, radiating to the vertebral part, in the heart region, sternum and even lower back.
Pain may appear and intensify with certain body movements or with stimulation of certain points on the body along the spine;
At first, the pain may be in the nature of short-term “injections”; as the disease develops, the attacks become long and can last for hours; taking heart medications does not relieve these attacks.

The risk group for the disease is people over 30 years of age. It is this age that becomes critical for many cardiovascular diseases. When their symptoms become brighter, since the condition of the blood vessels becomes significantly worse, which causes the development of many diseases.

Treatment of intercostal neuralgia

Pain is a symptom of many diseases. Thoracalgia has symptoms that are similar to a number of diseases. The doctor will help determine the cause of the disease, the location of the pinching, and prescribe a pain reliever that is suitable for a particular patient. The specific treatment regimen depends on whether intercostal neuralgia is a symptom of another disease or independent; the presence of other diseases also imposes its own characteristics on the treatment plan. In any case, quickly get rid of the disease by drinking magic pill, will not work.

Treatment for such diseases is always complex: pills will help relieve pain, but will not solve the underlying problem, so doctors prescribe a series of long-term procedures to gradually relieve symptoms and improve the condition of the muscles and nerves of the chest. In addition, patients need to make their own efforts to recover.

However, what can a doctor suggest?

Drug treatment (painkillers, warming medications, vitamins);
Massage and osteopathy, manual massage;
Acupuncture;
Physiotherapy (electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, etc.)
Vacuum therapy;
Salt baths and mud therapy;
Spa treatment;
Physiotherapy;
Phytotherapy;
Unconventional treatment.

Vacuum therapy (cupping treatment) in the treatment of intercostal neuralgia should be carried out by a specialist along with osteopathy and manual massage. Many of these methods are used in courses, which allows you to stop painful attacks and gradually restore health.

Can be used at home pharmaceutical products to alleviate the condition, traditional medicine methods, which are based on herbal treatment, a set of physical exercises.

What to look for in a pharmacy?

When pain is associated with the condition of the spine, doctors often recommend orthopedic products - pillows, mattresses, corsets. If necessary, the attending doctor will definitely tell you which option you need. In some cases, it helps to reduce tension in the cervical and pectoral muscles sleeping on a hard bed. Sometimes you have to give up a soft high pillow. This does not mean that you need to sleep without a pillow on the bare floor. However, your usual comfort has already led you to illness, so giving up imaginary comforts will not make you worse. Just use a firm mattress, ditch the feather beds, and replace the pillow. With proper physical activity, this will allow the muscles to rest properly during sleep.

At the pharmacy you can buy patches, ointments and gels with a warming effect, which help relieve pain for a while. Thanks to irritant effect they cause a rush of blood, relieve dull and aching pain. An example of such drugs is Voltaren, Dolobene, Finalgon, Nanoplast and others. If you have sensitive skin, then there may be a reaction to active ingredients. To enhance the effect after warming up, wrap yourself in warm, preferably woolen, things that retain heat longer and give an amazing feeling of coziness and comfort.

There are a number of medications you can buy at the pharmacy to help relieve pain. They also sell components of some drugs that are not prescribed by doctors, but are actively used in home treatment. Wide choose ready-made herbal infusions and dried plants will also help in preparing homemade medicines.

Traditional medicine is aimed at warming up the sore spot, improving metabolism, relaxing muscles, removing inflammatory processes. They relieve pain only partially due to heat, but with severe pain Only painkillers will help you cope. In general, the treatment of intercostal neuralgia is close to the treatment of osteochondrosis, but it also has its own characteristics.

When treating intercostal neuralgia, they traditionally resort to peppercorn, black radish juice, horseradish, propolis, warm compresses and baths. Aromatherapy is also used as a treatment:

Baths for the treatment of thoracalgia

These baths are best done before bed. The basis includes sea salt, which is widely available. Use salt without additives, since the recipe offers a non-standard choice of components. You need to take baths for 10-15 minutes; taking a shower or washing off any remaining moisture after such a bath is not recommended. Dry yourself, put on clean underwear made from natural fabrics (preferably cotton) and go to bed.

Pour 3-4 tablespoons of dry sage into a glass of boiling water. You need to insist for about half an hour. Strain the broth and add it to salt and water.
Poplar and aspen buds have healing properties, but they take longer to prepare than others: first you need to fill them with water and put them on the fire, bring them to a boil and cook for 20-30 minutes. Leave covered for half an hour. The strained solution is poured into the prepared bath. To enhance useful properties After the bath, lubricate the sore areas with fir oil.
From pleasant procedures You can use salt baths with aromatic oils, add a few drops to the salt and then dilute with water. Oils of lavender, eucalyptus, healing properties in the treatment of intercostal neuralgia is attributed to oils coniferous trees, lemon, geranium, sage. Do not use more than 2 components when preparing such a bath, since such oils have a persistent and strong aroma. Before the procedure, make sure that the salt is completely dissolved to avoid burns.

Therapeutic compresses

A salt compress is made this way: in hot saline solution soak the gauze, place it on the sore spot, fix it and leave it for a couple of hours. This compress helps relieve swelling and inflammation.
Pour a teaspoon of flaxseed into a glass of boiling water and leave for 5 minutes. The hot seeds are placed in a piece of gauze and used as a compress.
Compresses made from bee products have a good anti-inflammatory effect and a thermal effect. One of the recipes suggests mixing melted wax with honey and onion juice. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and place on the affected area. The patient is covered with a warm blanket, blanket or shawl over the compress. It is better to do this procedure before going to bed, as the compress is left on all night.
Black radish juice is used both separately for rubbing the chest, and with other components. Root vegetables are also used in grated form. For example, you can add radish juice with turpentine to horseradish juice. The resulting liquid is used as a warming ointment.
Burdock juice helps with intercostal neuralgia, as it has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Fresh leaves can be applied to the painful area at night to enhance therapeutic effect can be secured with woolen items (shawl, sweater, scarf).
A compress of crushed geranium is applied to treat intercostal neuralgia. This compress should not be kept for more than 2 hours.
If you mix iodine with glycerin, you get an excellent warming ointment. Apply to the back, avoiding the spine area. Leave it on all night. If appeared negative reaction, then the procedure is stopped. If there is no negative effect, lubricate the back with the composition every other day. Repeat for one month.

Prevention

There is no prevention against spinal diseases. Because for a healthy back you need to make efforts every day:

Exercise regularly, at least go for walks;
Eat less salt, spicy and pickled foods;
food;
Diversify your diet. Consume seafood, fruits and vegetables, cereals and soups;
Avoid sweets and carbohydrate-rich foods;
Avoid nervous shocks, try to experience positive emotions;
Maintain a certain daily routine, get enough sleep;
Control the duration of active and passive pastime. Alternate physical activity and rest.

These “correct” tips may seem boring. However, this is precisely the basis of the long and healthy life– regular and consistent health care. If you want, you can get an additional incentive: get a dog. Then you will introduce half of the points into your life and will be forced to follow them, ignoring your own laziness. Although truly happy people rarely experience bouts of laziness.

Be healthy - be happy!