How to relieve an attack of intercostal neuralgia. How to cure neurology. Treatment at the initial stage

Content

Many people, especially older people, develop symptoms of intercostal neuralgia. This disease is the most common pathology of the nervous system. As a rule, this kind of neuralgia is caused by diseases of the spine, but it can also appear as a result of other pathological processes in the body. Doctors consider the disease not too dangerous for human health, but it provokes a strong pain syndrome that interferes with a normal, calm life. To cure neuralgia, symptomatic treatment and therapy are required to eliminate the cause of the disease.

What is intercostal neuralgia

Intercostal neuralgia (another name is thoracalgia) is a pinching, irritation or compression of the vertebral nerve. Due to the peculiarities of the occurrence of pain (on the left, in the region of the heart or under the heart), many patients during the first attacks confuse the disease with cardiovascular pathologies, for example, a heart attack. It is also important to differentiate intercostal neuralgia from pain in the stomach, renal colic. Pathology differs from a heart attack in that it does not change the pressure, pulse, and nitroglycerin does not help relieve symptoms. Pain increases with movement.

Pain in intercostal neuralgia can occur in different parts of the patient's body near the spine: throughout the chest, on the right or left on the back, under the shoulder blades. Often the pain is excruciating in nature. As a rule, intercostal neuralgia develops due to the course of other diseases of the spine: osteochondrosis, scoliosis, with tumors and incorrect position of the vertebrae. In addition, the following factors can cause the disease:

Long-term exposure to low temperatures.
Inflammatory diseases.
Injuries of the ribs, chest, spine.
Tumors located in the spinal cord.
Body poisoning.
Nerve damage.
Spondylitis, kyphosis, other diseases of the spine.
Diabetes.
Age changes.
Severe tension in the back muscles.
Fatigue, stress.
Herpes.
Pleurisy.
Pathological changes in the chest.
Rib diseases.
Aortic aneurysm.
Hormonal changes.
Rapid growth (in children).
Climacteric, postmenopausal period (in women).

You should not self-diagnose intercostal neuralgia in yourself when similar symptoms appear and start treatment, because it can hide a serious disease that requires urgent medical intervention. Methods for diagnosing the disease include examination of the patient, tests and examination with special devices. How to determine the presence of intercostal neuralgia:

ultrasound. Not the main method of examination for the disease of intercostal neuralgia (due to high bone density).
X-ray. Helps to see violations in the structure of human bones.
CT scan. On the tomogram, bone and soft tissue will be visible.
Myelography. During the examination, a contrast agent is injected into the spinal canal, with which you can see changes in the soft tissues due to the disease.
Contrasting discography. A contrast agent is injected into the region of the intervertebral disc.
MRI. Allows you to fully examine the structure of damaged tissues or bone structures.
Electrospondylography. Helps to identify pathology at the initial stage of occurrence.

A particularly careful approach to therapy after the diagnosis of the disease is required by women during pregnancy and lactation, because many drugs are contraindicated for them. Intercostal neuralgia can occur against the background of a serious load on the back. If the pain is tolerable, women should be prescribed exercise therapy, yoga, or other activities to relieve acute symptoms of the disease.

Symptoms and signs of the disease

The nerves of the spine have large branches, so when they are damaged, pain often mimics cardiovascular disease. For example, there may be discomfort in the thoracic region on the left, extending into the shoulder blade. In the treatment of intercostal neuralgia on the left, unlike heart disease, sedatives such as Corvalol and Validol help. The frequency of bouts of pain when they are taken is significantly reduced. Painful sensations can become stronger during turns, breaths, changes in body position, with sudden movements.

Pain in the disease of intercostal neuralgia is dull, acute, burning, paroxysmal. It can last from several minutes to several days, often disappears after sleeping in a comfortable position. In addition, the disease is accompanied by: numbness of the affected areas, muscle tension, convulsions, increased sweating, a feeling of "crawling" on the skin, sleep disturbance, tearfulness. Increased intercostal neuralgia after exercise or stress.

Ways to treat the disease at home

Treatment of intercostal neuralgia at home is carried out by various methods. The main task in the acute period of the disease is to relieve pain, which can be extremely painful for the patient. Together with taking painkillers, it is necessary to act on the cause that caused the pathology and carry out appropriate therapy.

The modern treatment of back pain has long gone from the simple elimination of unpleasant sensations. It is important to treat not the manifestations, but their cause. An example of such an integrated approach is the addition of NSAIDs with neurotropic vitamins (B1, B6, B12) B vitamins not only help to eliminate pain faster than when taking only NSAIDs (for example, diclofenac sodium), but also have a beneficial effect on physiological processes in the nerve fiber , stimulate nutrition and restoration of the structure of the nervous tissue. So, the optimal addition to NSAIDs will be the drug Neuromultivit in injections, which includes three vitamins B1, B6, B12 in therapeutic dosages. The use of neurotropic vitamins in high therapeutic doses makes it possible to consolidate the analgesic effect, promotes the restoration of the nerve fiber, which makes it possible to achieve a long-term remission of the pain syndrome. Begin treatment with the drug with daily injections for 5-10 days, then switch to maintenance administration, 2-3 injections per week for two to three weeks.

To reduce pain, doctors recommend wearing a corset that supports the spine and relieves stress on the nerves. In addition, dry heat helps to cope with pain, which does not harm the body - this method is suitable for pregnant women who do not resort to treatment with pills. To prevent attacks, doctors advise patients to sit less, not to take uncomfortable postures, sleep on a flat surface, to exclude heavy physical exertion as much as possible, but exercises of moderate strength, on the contrary, should be made part of the daily routine.

Medical treatment

Drug treatment will help the patient quickly relieve the excruciating pain syndrome. To get rid of intercostal neuralgia with the help of drugs, therapy is approached in a complex way: analgesics, anti-inflammatory, muscle-relaxing drugs are prescribed. How to treat intercostal neuralgia with medication:

Relieve the pain. This helps drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, ketoprofen. These are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that quickly eliminate the symptom of intercostal neuralgia, but they should not be taken by people who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, tablets Movalis, Sedalgin, Panadol, Pentalgin, Baralgetas will help. It is advisable to take the pill immediately after the onset of symptoms of the disease - so the attack will pass faster.
Make a blockade. This is necessary when the patient has a pronounced pain syndrome from a disease in which ordinary pills do not help. Then injections of novocaine, lidocaine, hydrocortisone or diclofenac are given.
Use pepper paste. It will help relieve pain from intercostal neuralgia for several days.
Eliminate spasm of the back muscles. This will help drugs of the group of muscle relaxants: Tizanidin, Mydocalm, Clonazepam.
Get rid of numbness. Often, B vitamins help to restore the structure of the nerves.
Apply ointments. There are drugs with a pronounced analgesic effect, for example, Finalgon, Fastum-gel. To improve blood circulation, metabolic processes of the skin will help such means as Apizatron, Viproxal. The mobility of the spine with intercostal neuralgia will help to correct Chondroxide ointment.

Treatment of neuralgia with banks

Cupping massage is an effective procedure that helps to get rid of intercostal neuralgia together with medicines. This method improves lymphatic drainage, blood circulation, promotes tissue regeneration. Before the massage, a person should thoroughly clean the skin areas where the cans are placed. Further, its surface is lubricated with heated oil - eucalyptus or olive. During the attachment of cans, the method of setting fire to the fleece inside, and then placing them on the back, or a mechanical method of removing air (in modern cans) can be used.

When doing cupping massage at home for intercostal neuralgia, you need to remember that the devices should only slightly suck the skin, raising it no more than one and a half centimeters. After attaching the jar, the massage begins: to influence the back, you need to move the device from the bottom up, along the course of the lymphatic vessels. Do not place banks on the spine itself. If performed correctly, the procedure will not bring pain to the patient, and the effect of the treatment of the disease will not be long in coming.

Physiotherapy and exercise therapy

Physiotherapeutic methods are no less effective than drugs for treatment. To get rid of neuralgia, doctors prescribe a dynamic current to the patient, along with which therapeutic agents are introduced into the body. Intercostal neuralgia is also treated with ultrasound, which makes micromassage of the affected areas. So that the patient can painlessly cope with the disease, treatment with paraffin, mud, ozocerite is prescribed. Therapeutic physical culture will help the patient to strengthen the muscles of the back, thereby relieving the load on the spine and cope with pressure on the affected nerve.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture (acupuncture) is an ancient method of treating diseases, including neuralgia. During it, biologically active points are pierced with special thinnest needles. Impact on certain areas with the help of these devices improves blood flow, metabolic processes, relieves pain, removes muscle imbalance during exacerbation. With neuralgia, doctors usually prescribe two or three courses of acupuncture (one course is about ten procedures, but depends on the severity of the disease). To achieve the desired effect, take a break of two months.

Acupressure

Acupressure is a treatment from alternative medicine, which, however, has been proving its effectiveness in the treatment of intercostal neuralgia for many years. The essence of the method is to act on biologically active points associated with certain organs. The methods of influence are different: it is light stroking or touching points, pressure with a finger or palm, strong deep pressure (it can be done both with a finger and with special devices, grains, matches).

Pressing, stroking should be carried out perpendicular to the surface of the skin. If this is stroking, it should be continuous and performed at the same pace from the beginning to the end of the procedure. For intercostal neuralgia, as a rule, about 10-15 procedures are needed to significantly reduce pain. The patient can do massage on their own after consultation with a professional. The layout of some points from intercostal neuralgia in the photo:

Folk remedies for pain relief

Room geranium. Tear off a leaf from the plant, rub it on the areas affected by pain, wrap yourself in a woolen blanket or scarf - this will help reduce pain in the area of intercostal neuralgia.
Means with beeswax, honey, onions. To prepare an ointment, mix onion juice, white lily bulb juice, a little honey and beeswax. Rub the mixture on the sore spot, wrap yourself well to provide warmth, and go to bed.
Mummy with propolis. These remedies have long been known for the treatment of intercostal neuralgia. Their combined use ensures the restoration of affected tissues, the removal of inflammatory processes. To enhance the effect, the mixture is used not only externally, but also taken internally.
Yarrow. To prepare an infusion with this plant, pour a large spoonful of herbs with a glass of boiling water, leave for an hour, wrapped in a towel or blanket. Strain the resulting solution. When cool, take a tablespoon three times a day to relieve the pain of intercostal neuralgia.
Turpentine with Vaseline. Mix the funds in a ratio of one to two, rub into the affected areas. Over time, intercostal neuralgia will recede.

Video: how to recognize and treat intercostal neuralgia

It is extremely important to correctly recognize intercostal neuralgia so as not to confuse it with diseases of the heart, stomach, kidneys, or a heart attack. At the first nerve damage, people may panic, not understanding what is happening. A leading cardiologist talks in detail about the signs of intercostal neuralgia, characterized by a specific area of pain, its aching or stabbing character, shortness of breath, increased inhalation and helps to understand how it differs from heart disease. Watch the video, which will make it possible to recognize pathologies and tell you how to treat neuralgia.

Attention! The information provided in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give recommendations for treatment, based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

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Intercostal neuralgia - what is it and how to treat

vitamin therapy

What are the methods of physiotherapy, consider below.

Transcranial electroanalgesia (treatment is carried out with the help of a current pulse with a low frequency, it has an analgesic effect for about 20-40 minutes with a course of 5 to 10 days).
Diadynamic therapy (impact with pulsed current only in the form of a half-sinusoid to relieve pain, procedure for 20 minutes, from 5 to 7 days).
Fluctuorization (current relieves pain, and tissue regeneration becomes better, about 6 procedures from 5 to 15 minutes).
UHF-therapy (treatment is performed by an electric field of ultra-high frequency, reduces pain, participates in the nutrition of tissues and restores the body's defenses, is carried out from 6 to 12 sessions of 5-20 minutes each).
Ultrasound therapy (improves blood circulation, relieves pain, session 12-15 minutes for 6-12 procedures).
Darsonvalization (a current of low strength is used, it promotes nutrition and blood supply to tissues, a course of 10-15 days for 10-15 minutes).
Magnetotherapy (works with a high-quality magnetic field, relieves pain, a session of 15-30 minutes up to 20 procedures).
Laser therapy (relieves pain, provides a general strengthening of tissues, is treated in 10 sessions of 10-15 minutes each).
Electrophoresis with anesthetic and analgesic medication.
Applications of paraffin, ozocerite (improve blood flow, metabolic processes, promote regeneration, a course of 10 days for 20 minutes).
Treatment with mud (relieve pain, improve regeneration and promote tissue nutrition, relieve inflammation)
Acupuncture (improvement occurs due to the effect on biologically active zones, improves blood circulation and relieves pain, count up to 20 procedures).

The use of drugs is the main way to treat intercostal neuralgia. For the treatment of the disease and the cause that caused it, appoint:

pills;
injections for intramuscular and intravenous administration;
ointments, gels or creams.

Tablets are considered an ineffective treatment for intercostal neuralgia. In addition, they irritate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, causing adverse reactions. Erosive gastritis and stomach ulcers are a possible harm from the uncontrolled use of tablets.

To suppress inflammatory processes, replenish vitamins and minerals, strengthen immunity, it is necessary to take special complexes. Medicines with B vitamins are involved in blocking acute inflammatory processes that have flared up in nerve tissues. Vitamin complexes relieve muscle spasms, neutralize the negative effects of the medications used.

Neuralgia intercostal symptoms and treatment at home

Now let's learn about the main symptoms of this neurological disease. The main symptom is a characteristic pain, which is localized in the chest area. The more affected by pinched nerves, the stronger and more extensive the pain will be. It can even radiate to the lumbar region or shoulder blades.

The affected area itself can be edematous, pale, there is a change in the sensitivity of the skin. A distinctive feature of pain in intercostal neuralgia is that it is very strong, permanent. To many, it even seems unbearable. Next, I will tell you how neuralgia manifests itself, and how to treat it at home.

The first signs of neuralgia are, of course, pain in the chest. The pain can be either on one side of the sternum or bilaterally. The pain is so strong and sharp that it seems to the patient as if it permeates the entire body. In this case, there is a burning sensation, numbness and tingling of the skin.

What should be done if these symptoms are present? Immediately call a doctor at home, and if the pain has intensified on the left side, then it is better to call an ambulance. After the ECG is done, the doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis (exclude heart disease).

Which doctor treats intercostal neuralgia - a neurologist. Of course, you can seek help from a therapist, but only a narrow specialist in nervous diseases can make a more accurate diagnosis.

In this section of the article, we will look at how to treat and how to treat this disease. The treatment is complex, and consists in taking painkillers, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic drugs. Warming ointments and gels with a distracting effect are also used. Well proven from neuralgia acupressure.

Pain relief - includes taking analgesics for 3-5 days. With very strong and excruciating pains, the doctor can make a special blockade (introduction of novocaine or lidocaine into the lesion site);

Treatment of the inflammatory process - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used for these purposes. It can be both tablets and injections. Usually, the doctor first prescribes injections in the first 3 days, and for further treatment - also a remedy, but already in tablets. Voltaren, nimesulide, diclofenac, movalis and so on - these are all anti-inflammatory drugs;

Removal of muscle spasms - midokalm, baclofen or baclosan (take 1 tablet 3 times a day for no more than 7 days);

Vitamin therapy - for such diseases, doctors always prescribe B vitamins (combilipen, milgamma).

Today, in pharmacies you can buy special patches. They are able to relieve pain for 12 hours, reduce swelling and fight inflammation. They are attached to the lesion for 12 hours, then removed and take a 12-hour break. It is very convenient to use various therapeutic ointments and creams at home. I will write about this form of drugs in more detail a little lower, in another section of the article.

Magnetic therapy has a good effect. If you have an ALMAG device, be sure to use it for home treatment. A course of 5-7 procedures will be enough to relieve pain and inflammation. Read the instructions for using the device at home here.

Unfortunately, women during pregnancy can also develop this disease. How intercostal neuralgia manifests itself in pregnant women - the symptoms are standard. What medications will treat neuralgia in pregnant women directly depends on the severity of the situation.

Very often it is possible to cure with sparing methods, which consist in taking vitamins, massage and rubbing ointments. Do not self-medicate, only a specialist can prescribe therapy.

There are a huge number of special types of exercises for neuralgia for pregnant women, which help restore blood flow in the spine and joints, relieve pain and improve well-being.

Signs are also individual for any type. In order to correctly diagnose the disease, you need to clearly understand its symptoms, and ideally have a doctor's confirmation of the diagnosis. Only in this case, one can ask questions about how to treat neurology in general and avoid its recurrence in the future. We will analyze the most pronounced symptoms that will help confirm or dispel your suspicions.

The pain spreads throughout the nerve and feels like it is paroxysmal, shooting.
There is discomfort in one, certain part, without going beyond it.
A burning sensation can manifest itself in the buttocks and lower back.
There is a feeling that small goosebumps crawl over the sore spot, especially during sleep, when the body is in a relaxed state.

Pain at the root of the tongue, in the pharynx and tonsils that occurs during eating, yawning, coughing.
Increased formation of saliva alternates with absolute dryness of the oral cavity.
Bitter taste in the mouth when eating any food, even sweets.

Sudden, sharp attack of pain, when turning the neck or even lightly scratching the circumference of the head.
Severe pain, resembling a shooting behind the ears, on the back of the head, and also on the surface of the entire back of the neck.
As a rule, one part, the side of the neck and head, is affected, but in rare cases both sides are affected.

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

Symptoms of intercostal neuralgia

This disease is characterized by:

periodic bouts of pain at the time of inspiration. The pain may be sharp or dull, burning or aching, but always interferes with normal breathing;
possible muscle spasms, tingling in the chest;
the skin changes its usual color - turns pale or reddens;
sudden movements (changing body position, coughing, sneezing) increase pain;
pain can be localized in the region of the heart, under the scapula, in the lumbar back.

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

With heart disease, pain does not depend on body position or sudden movements and stops quite quickly after taking medications. Unlike this disease, with intercostal neuralgia, the pain is prolonged and intensifies 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

Medical treatment at home

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

Analgin;
Tempalgin;
Ketorolac;
Ortofen and others.

Ointments that are used to treat intercostal neuralgia:

Voltaren;
Ketonal cream;
Apizartron and others.

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

After the removal of the pain syndrome, a diagnosis is necessarily carried out to determine the true cause of the disease. If it is established that intercostal neuralgia is the consequences of one of the common diseases (colds, stress, infection, diabetes, etc.), then they begin to treat this particular disease.

If the problem lies in the disease of the spine, then in parallel with drug relief of pain in traditional medicine, various physiotherapeutic procedures are used: physiotherapy exercises and massage, acupuncture, laser therapy, manual therapy, ultrasound, and similar methods of relieving stress on nerve endings. For 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 selected procedures.

How to relieve pain at home

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

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

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

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

Several recipes for folk remedies

Pain relief is only the first step in the treatment of intercostal neuralgia. To obtain a stable result and guarantee against the return of seizures, a long course of treatment is needed. This can be done with 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 start proper treatment.

The main problem in the use of folk remedies is the duration of the course. It is necessary to continue the procedure long enough, stopping halfway will not bring results, and may even worsen the condition.

Means of external use - rubbing and compresses:

Glycerin and iodine

Glycerin is mixed with iodine in a ratio of 1:1.
The mixture is poured into a dark glass container (to protect from exposure to light) and shaken thoroughly - the ingredients should be well mixed.
With a cotton swab, the agent is applied to the painful area of \u200b\u200bthe back, carefully bypassing the spine area. You need to lubricate the skin with light movements, without rubbing the mixture, because this can cause a burn. A loose bandage is applied 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 into an accidental draft or does not make sudden movements - this can worsen the situation. The procedure is recommended to be performed before going to bed in order to immediately go to bed and take cover warmly. The course of application is 12-15 sessions with an interval of one day.

With any procedures, you can not affect the area of \u200b\u200bthe spine. Only a competent specialist can work with the spine.

Birch bud tincture

Kidneys can be collected independently (if spring is outside) or purchased at a pharmacy.

pour a handful of kidneys with vodka (0.5 l);
insist for ten days in a dark cool place.

It is better to rub the affected area with tincture of birch buds in the evening. During the day, you can use the remedy if the patient is not going to leave the house. The rubbed place must be wrapped up or dressed 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 tool has a well-defined warming effect, but can cause irritation on the skin. Before use, it is worth doing a test for individual tolerance. Burning juice, if necessary, 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 rubbed with flax or wormwood seeds will soften the skin and add to the effectiveness of the procedure.

Lilac buds and internal pork fat

An effective ointment can be prepared at home. Dried lilac buds are rubbed with internal fat at the rate of 1 part of buds to 4 parts of fat. 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). Mix camphor oil with mustard powder and add slightly beaten protein. Mix everything thoroughly. Be sure to store the ointment in the refrigerator, before applying, warm the composition a little in the palms of your hands.

Bodyagi tincture

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

burdock leaves

Ordinary weed sometimes works no worse than 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 - rinse the sheet and attach it with the inside to the affected area, wrap it warmly and leave it overnight.

geranium leaves

The leaves of a houseplant (3 - 4 pieces) are applied to a sore spot and fixed with a bandage made of natural fabric. The compress is kept for two hours, during which time it is necessary to replace the geranium leaves with fresh ones several times. This remedy relieves pain well and can be used with every attack.

Valerian tincture

The tool is used in the form of a compress. A napkin made of natural fabric (linen, cotton) is moistened with tincture and placed on a painful area, covered with a film on top and wrapped warmly. In this case, just warm clothes are not enough, a bandage that is not too tight is needed so that the compress remains in the desired position. At the same time, the bandage should not interfere with movements or strongly squeeze the chest, interfering with normal breathing. You can keep such a 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 soothes.

Potato and onion

Another version of the compress is made from raw potatoes and onions grated on a coarse grater. The recommended ratio is 1:1, but it is advisable to test individual tolerance on a small area of the skin. If there are painful sensations, change the proportions of the compress in the direction of increasing the potato mass.

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

Sedatives

Decoction of mint leaves with honey

This drug is taken orally as a sedative. A decoction is prepared from fresh or dried peppermint leaves, ordinary mint for salads will not work. You will need a handful of fresh leaves or 1 tbsp. l. dry. Grass is poured with a glass of boiling water, closed and insisted for about half an hour. Then the infusion must be filtered, you can add a couple of teaspoons of honey. Take half a cup twice a day.

Infusion of lemon balm and orange peels

It is also a sedative. Dry and chop the orange peel (you can finely chop before drying), mix with dry lemon balm leaves in a 1: 1 ratio. Pour one tablespoon of the mixture with a glass of boiling water, wrap 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 remedy twice a day in a glass for a month.

Taking a sedative in the morning can slow down 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 therapeutic bath.

Young thin branches of aspen or poplar (0.5 kg) are poured with water and boiled for half an hour.
Then insist the same time.
The resulting broth is added to bath water (water temperature is about 40 degrees).
Take a bath for 10-15 minutes.

After the procedure, you can rub the sore spot with fir oil.

Sage bath

Prepared from a glass of infusion and half a glass of sea salt. Sage infusion is made as follows: 4 tbsp. l. herbs are poured with hot water and infused for an hour. Take a sage bath for no more than 10 minutes, the whole course - 10 procedures.

Milk and honey bath with essential oil

Prepared with a quarter cup of milk with lavender or eucalyptus oil (5 drops). If desired, you can add a tablespoon of honey or replace it completely with milk. The milk-honey mixture is poured into a bath with warm (not hot) water, the procedure is repeated every other day. After taking a bath, do not rinse with clean water, this will increase the healing effect and is simply good for the skin.

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.

Sadly, age is often the cause of intercostal neuralgia. Time cannot be stopped or rolled back, 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, a positive attitude - and live happily ever after.

Attacks of pain in intercostal neuralgia are very painful and prolonged, so it is very important to know how to relieve pain quickly and effectively. This disease is an inflammatory process, irritation or pinching of the endings of nerve fibers located in the intercostal space in the chest area.

This is one of the most common diseases that manifests itself in the form of chest pain. This pathology is often observed in adulthood or advanced age.

The main sign by which the presence of intercostal neuralgia can be determined is severe acute pain. Due to the fact that painful sensations are quite pronounced, they can provoke changes in the activity of the heart muscle.

In this regard, breathing may be disturbed, and at the time of strong lumbago, a person cannot even inhale air normally. If you press on the area of the ribs, then there are painful sensations and discomfort. Pain can be exacerbated by:

physical exercise;
overwork;
cough;
sneezing
abrupt movements.

That is why, initially eliminate the acute pain sensations that limit motor activity, and then carry out the therapy of pinching or inflammation.

Features of pain in neuralgia

Pain in intercostal neuralgia occurs due to irritation of the endings of nerve fibers located in the thoracic spine. The occurrence of this sign of pathology should be taken seriously, as it may indicate the presence of more dangerous diseases, in particular, such as pneumonia or heart attack.

To distinguish the symptom and determine which part of the body is affected, you need to conduct several tests. Since the spinal column is involved in movement, if the nerve endings are pinched during movement, the pain will increase. With neuralgia, there is usually almost unbearable pain that limits movement. When you try to unbend, the pain only intensifies more, forcing the patient to remain in a half-bent position. In addition, pain occurs with a deep breath. Many patients note that before the attack, the back begins to hurt in the area of the shoulder blades.

With neuralgia, pain often occurs only on one side and lasts for several minutes, and residual signs remain for a long time. Sometimes painful sensations can occur in the region of the heart, which causes very strong anxiety in patients. In addition, there may be paroxysmal pain in the abdomen, it all depends on the location of the damaged nerve.

Important! If painful sensations appear in the sternum, then it is imperative to undergo a thorough examination in order to exclude diseases of the lungs and heart.

If the pain occurs due to the presence of diseases of the cardiovascular system, then it will not increase with movement, but only with exertion. If there are pathologies of the lungs, then the pain will not change in any way when changing position, and much more often it is observed when changing position. With neuralgia, the characteristic signs may be:

an attack of chest pain;
stops breathing;
the pain literally permeates the whole body.

Attacks of pain are very often repeated, but in the short intervals between attacks, the patient is completely unaffected. Often there may be discomfort in the area of the spine. The duration of such attacks is a few seconds or in severe cases even hours.

How to get rid of pain quickly

To quickly alleviate the condition, you need to lie on a flat surface, it is desirable that it be firm enough and the body does not bend. The patient needs to be reassured and rested. Lying down a bit in a motionless state, you can get rid of a sharp attack of pain.

In urgent, especially dangerous situations, pain can be relieved with potent analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs. To quickly get rid of intercostal neuralgia, you should contact a vertebriologist, who can prescribe an examination and determine the cause of the pathology.

Before proceeding to the implementation of special exercises, it is imperative to determine the cause of the pain and the localization of the damaged nerve.

Pain relief with medication

It is important to know how to relieve pain in intercostal neuralgia very quickly and for a long time. Elimination of painful sensations in intercostal neuralgia is based on the use of medications. For this, the following are widely used:

anti-inflammatory drugs;
means of local influence;
blockade.

A neuralgic attack can be eliminated with the help of painkillers. Most often, drugs are used in tablet form, however, with severe pain, they can also be used in the form of injection solutions. Eliminate pain will help such means as Analgin, Baralgin, Pentalgin.

Gels, creams and ointments are widely used as local agents. Apply these funds 3-4 times a day on the skin in the damaged area. These funds can be combined with tablets and injections. You can use Voltaren, Nise, Diklak, Finalgon.

Blockades that relieve acute pain syndrome are also widely used. In the area of the damaged nerve, it is desirable to carry out injections with Lidocaine or Novocaine. This will quickly stop the pain attack and alleviate the course of the pathology.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy has a good effect in conducting therapy and eliminating pain. In particular, the methods of physiotherapy include:

electrophoresis;
massage;
acupuncture;
manual therapy.

Electrophoresis is carried out using novocaine and analgin. These funds guarantee a fairly well-defined analgesic effect. The course of therapy is 10 days, and the duration of one procedure is 5 minutes. Massage improves metabolic processes and blood flow. This remedy has a good pronounced analgesic effect, relaxing the muscles and normalizing the conduction of nerve impulses. The duration of one procedure is 15 minutes, and the course of therapy is 10 sessions.

With the help of manual therapy, it is possible to reduce pain, relax muscles, and reduce pressure on nerve endings. The duration of therapy and the course of treatment is determined strictly separately for each patient. It is possible to reduce pain, improve blood microcirculation and metabolism with the help of acupuncture, which also helps to reduce the inflammatory process. The number of sessions is determined strictly individually, and the duration of one session can be from 5 minutes to an hour, it all depends on the number of points that are affected.

Folk methods

To eliminate pain in intercostal neuralgia, traditional medicine is widely used. One of the best and most effective remedies is turpentine ointment. Turpentine ointment should be mixed with petroleum jelly until elastic, and then lubricate the affected area.

Therapy with folk remedies can only be auxiliary and you must first consult a doctor. To relieve pain, you need to boil an egg, peel it, cool it and roll it over the chest in the area of \u200b\u200bpain localization. Steamed flax seeds, which should be used as compresses, help well. You can also quench the pain with the help of tincture of iodine. It is necessary to mix iodine with glycerin in a ratio of 1: 2 and draw meshes on the chest with this mixture, where pain is most felt.

Treatment of intercostal neuralgia on the left and right has the following goals:

relief of pain, inflammation;
treatment of the disease that provoked thoracalgia;
repair of the damaged nerve.

Many patients are interested in the question of what to do if the pain appears abruptly. To remove the attack, you need to act according to this plan:

Sleep on a pillow-top mattress or a hard, flat surface.
Apply dry heat to the affected area (heater, a bag of heated sand or salt, mustard plasters).
Rub the sore spot with a warming ointment.
Take an analgesic or NSAID. Sedatives can be used to relieve nervous tension.
Stay in bed for 2-4 days.
Avoid any physical activity.
Wear a corset, but not for long so that the muscles do not weaken.

After removing the pain, try to avoid sudden movements, heavy lifting.

Important: a neuropathologist treats a disease only after finding out its cause. Therefore, do not try to independently establish a diagnosis and take medications, as you will only aggravate your condition. The decision on the choice of methods of treatment is made by a specialist.

Effective massage for intercostal neuralgia

Therapy of thoracalgia should be comprehensive. For a speedy recovery, the following treatment methods are used:

drug therapy;
massage;
physiotherapy;
physiotherapy;
manual therapy, etc.

The tactics of treatment is made by a doctor for each patient individually, taking into account the cause of the pain syndrome, the severity of the pathology, general health, gender, age.

Surgical treatment is carried out only in cases where conservative methods do not help get rid of pain for a long time. The operation is prescribed only for thoracalgia, which is caused by injuries and diseases of the spine.

You can get rid of the pathology in different ways (of course, after agreeing with the doctor), but there are alternative methods that will help alleviate the condition with thoracalgia:

Acupuncture is the introduction of thin sterile needles into certain points on the body. This method allows you to ease breathing, reduce inflammation, relieve swelling in the affected area.
Acupressure - strong pressure on the bioactive points on the back in order to relax the muscles, restore blood flow.
Moxotherapy - cauterization with a wormwood cigar or smoldering coal cones. This technique allows you to increase blood flow, activate metabolic processes in the affected area, accelerate tissue repair, and increase local immunity.
Stone therapy - exposure to the affected area with heated stones (volcanic basalt). There is an increase in blood circulation, muscle relaxation.
Hirudotherapy - treatment with medical leeches. This procedure accelerates blood flow, relieves pain, inflammation, and improves immunity.
Vacuum therapy - massage with cups. This method improves blood circulation, accelerates the removal of toxins and toxins, relieves muscle spasm.

Acupuncture reduces pain, inflammation, normalizes breathing

There are many more methods that can be used in the treatment of intercostal neuralgia.

Ointments and gels

Remedies for neuralgia in the form of ointments and gels quickly anesthetize. They instantly penetrate through the skin pores into deep tissues, to the lesion, reduce the strength of the pain syndrome and eliminate swelling.

External means stimulate blood circulation, distract from pain, remove nervous tension. Thanks to them, the blood supply to the sore spot, the nutrition of damaged tissues improves, pain goes away.

For the treatment of intercostal neuralgia use:

Fastum gel. The tool relieves pain, stimulates the outflow of blood, eliminates swelling.
Kapsikam. The ointment, due to the effective warming effect, accelerates the supply of tissues with blood. It restores tissue trophism, contributes to the replenishment of nutrients.
Finalgon. The ointment warms up. Thanks to it, the blood vessels expand. The blood flow is increased. The tissues receive oxygen and nutrients.
Indomethacin, Ortofen, Naklofen, Ibuprofen. Ointments fight inflammation, swelling and pain.
Menovazin. The ointment has a pronounced analgesic effect.
Chondroxyl. Chondroprotector returns mobility to the spine.

External means stimulate blood circulation, distract from pain, remove nervous tension. Thanks to them, the blood supply to the sore spot, the nutrition of damaged tissues improves, pain goes away.

Ointments are preferred. They have a higher tissue penetration rate than gels. In the early stages and with severe pain, ointments are used that can relieve muscle spasms and relax the muscles.

Patients suffering from sharp pains try not to prescribe ointments with a burning effect. By increasing stimulation at the site of the lesion, it is possible to provoke the development of an ischemic crisis, a heart attack due to excessive outflow of blood from the coronary vessels.

ethnoscience

Traditional treatment can be supplemented with folk methods:

Squeeze juice from radish or horseradish, rub it into the affected area.
Pour 2 tbsp. l. rue 250 ml of boiling water, leave for 2 weeks. When pain occurs, soak a bandage or gauze in the infusion, and make a compress.
Steam wormwood in boiling water, grind it to make a slurry, pour sea buckthorn oil. Apply the mixture to the affected area.
Beat off a fresh leaf of geranium, apply to the affected area, cover with a film and a warm cloth on top.
Grind aspen buds, add vaseline (4:1), mix. Rub on the area where it hurts, twice or thrice a day.

And also at home, you can use pepper patch. Before using it, the skin on the affected area must be wiped with alcohol and dried. If after a while the patch burns strongly, then remove it, as a burn is possible.

All of the above traditional medicine can be used only after the approval of the doctor.

Means for pain relief

The primary task of drug therapy is to relieve pain - the main symptom of the disease. Pills and injections help get rid of prolonged debilitating pain. For pain relief, they usually write out:

Spazmalgon;
Spazgan;
Analgin;
Baralgin;
Took.

To stop unbearable pain that occurs with swelling of nerve fibers, compression syndrome of the roots, apply:

Ketoprofen;
ibuprofen;
Nise;
Celebrex;
Diclofenac.

To relieve pain and prevent new attacks, analgesics are used:

Sedalgin;
Panadol;
Tylenon;
Pentalgin.

The course of treatment with anesthetics is short, it does not exceed 4-5 days. They disrupt the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Pain worsens the well-being of patients, plunges them into a state of prolonged stress, creates a feeling of discomfort, and reduces the quality of life. Taking sedative medications for intercostal neuralgia helps to relieve nervous tension, relax skeletal muscles, and normalize the condition of a sick person.

It is recommended to treat intercostal neuralgia at the first stage with the help of medicines in the form of tablets, injection solutions, external agents.

Caution: in the presence of gastrointestinal diseases in a patient, it is not recommended to use tablets, as they irritate the mucous membrane, causing inflammation and ulcers. In this case, it is recommended to use injections and ointments.

In the treatment of thoracalgia, the following drugs are used:

NSAIDs: Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, Nimesulide, Nise, Voltaren. These remedies are used for inflammation and pain. The question of how long treatment with NSAIDs lasts is quite relevant. The maximum course duration is 7 days.
Muscle relaxants: Mydocalm, Sirdalud, Sibazon, Baclofen. These drugs help relax the skeletal muscles.
Analgesics: Analgin, Baralgin, Sedalgin, Movalis. These medicines will help to quickly get rid of pain, reduce swelling, reduce the sensitivity of pain receptors.
Antispasmodics: No-shpa, Papazol, Besalol. They relax spasmodic muscles, reducing pain.
B vitamins reduce inflammation, increase immunity, and normalize the functioning of the nervous system.

Local anesthetics complement medical therapy by reducing pain and inflammation. Sedatives will help enhance the effect of painkillers, relieve nervous tension, and normalize sleep.

Reference. If a strong pain syndrome does not go away for a long time, then blockades are carried out using Novocaine, Lidocaine, and sometimes hormonal drugs. An injection is made into the lesion to relieve acute pain. However, intramuscular injections are often prohibited, as they contain highly toxic compounds.

These drugs are available in tablets, injection solutions, in the form of ointments and gels. They are taken in tablets. For accelerated pain relief, injections and droppers are given.

The course of treatment with anesthetics is short, it does not exceed 4-5 days. They disrupt the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Sedative drink at night. It promotes good sleep, good rest, relieves nervous and muscle tension. Essential oils have an excellent relaxing effect: lavender and mint.