Intercostal neuralgia is a condition, developing as a result of compression or excitation of roots of intercostal nerves, their total length or branches thereof. This causes severe pain, inflicting suffering to the patient.
Intercostal neuralgia is one of the most painful conditions. When it occurs patients often think that their heart hurts as pain localization is very similar.
The following diseases and states are the most common causes of intercostal neuralgia:
- degenerative changes of intervertebral disks (osteochondrosis of the thoracic section of the spine, herniated intervertebral disk);
- muscle diseases, hypothermia or long-term uncomfortable position of the body – all these factors may cause myospasm and compression of the intercostal nerve.
- impaired posture;
- spinal curvature (scoliosis, kyphosis);
- tumors in the chest organs or in the back bone;
- the nervous system, affected by diseases or toxic substances, i.e. conditions when nerve conduction is impaired;
- long-term and pronounced deficiency of B vitamins;
- chest or back bone traumas;
- chronic infectious diseases, most often, herpetic infection.
Symptoms of Intercostal Neuralgia
The main symptom of intercostal neuralgia is a strong pain in the area of the damaged nerve or throughout the thoracic region if several intercostal nerves are affected. Patients describe the neuralgia pain as acute, burning. It can be permanent or it may subside at rest and aggravate sharply even with small movements, coughing, laughter.
The following symptoms may also be observed with intercostal neuralgia:
- burning sensation in the muscles or the skin in the area of the affected nerve;
- numbness in the limited area of the chest, in the shoulder, arm, shoulder blade or neck on the relevant side (numbness, hot flash or cold sense, creeping or tingling sensation);
- spontaneous muscle contraction along the nerve (muscles twitch by themselves);
- hyperhydrosis;
- skin redness or paleness.
Acute intercostal neuralgia manifestations are very unpleasant, but they are never life-threatening. However, they can be exactly the same as manifestations of a heart attack, that requires emergency medical care. Only skilled specialist can differentiate the two conditions, therefore you should consult the doctor in case of the smallest doubts as to the pain nature.
The following signs can help differentiate pain along nerve stems and heartache:
- pain, caused by cardiac diseases, is generally brief,
- nitroglycerin administration relieves pain,
- heartaches may radiate to the arm, shoulder,
- pain does not change when the patient breathes deeply,
- cardiac rhythm disturbance is possible.
Neuralgia pain has the following characteristics:
- pain lasts a long time, does not cease at night,
- pain aggravates when you turn or bend your body, during palpation of intercostal spaces, when coughing,
- nitroglycerin does not relieve pain,
- pain is relieved by warmth and administration of pain-killers.
The most frequent cause of intercostal neuralgia is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the backbone, which is called osteochondrosis. However, in case of suspected backbone or thoracic organs tumor, thorough examination using modern diagnostic methods, such as MRI, is necessary.
All kinds of offered matrix products can be used for intercostal neuralgia. As osteochondrosis is the most frequent cause of intercostal neuralgia, matrix products are to be used according to the same principles as with degenerative-dystrophyc backbone diseases. Applicators should be laid out according to C scheme. Additionally, put the applicators throughout the backbone, from the 7th cervical vertebra to the tail bone in three rows – along the spinous processes of the backbone and paravertebrally on the right and on the left sides. It is also recommended to put the applicators along intercostal spaces (subject to pain localization) from the backbone to the breast bone symmetrically, on the right and on the left side. Given the role of stress in development of backbone diseases, it is a must to use Aires-Relax band with Aires Black Crystal or Aires headdress with Aires Black Crystal. It is also necessary to use Ecostep matrix insoles.
If neuralgia is caused by herpetic infection and there is skin rash, do not put applicators thereon. Otherwise, you can use matrix products according to the same schemes. You can also put the applicators on the immune system organs area: spleen and breast bone (thymus gland) and filtering organs: liver and kidneys.
If backbone tumor is suspected, you should decide whether to use the matrix products only after the examination.
S.P. Lapina, MD, PhD (Medicine)