And how much time we spend sitting in transport or at the table!So we pay for this with various diseases, among which the main one is cervical osteochondrosis.Well, what should we do with it?
It's different for everyone
Cervical osteochondrosis is not a flu that suddenly “attacks”: pathological changes in the vertebrae develop slowly, “mature”, gain strength.And, as a rule, we don't pay attention to the very first signals, because we don't know anything about them.Experts say that if you suddenly feel that it is becoming uncomfortable to sleep on a high pillow or if, for no apparent reason, your hands start to become numb and cold, then it's time to see a doctor.
Since we are all different, everyone has their own “specific” manifestations of the disease.But if "the process has started", most often the following symptoms "signal" that the problems have begun:
- paroxysmal, painful headache, which usually begins at the back of the head and then spreads to the crown and temples;
- pain in the shoulder, forearm, hands;
- numbness, burning, tingling in the arms or legs;
- dizziness and even fainting when suddenly turning the head;
- tinnitus;
- sometimes pressing pain in the region of the heart, radiating to the shoulder blade and forearm.With osteochondrosis, unlike angina, it can persist and even intensify for several days.
Don't step on the same rake!
We must learn to live together with any chronic disease, and cervical osteochondrosis is no exception: periods of relative calm are replaced by exacerbations, which we often provoke ourselves.So let's learn to "stay the course" - to avoid situations that could provoke another attack.
Which ones exactly?Do not read or watch TV while lying down, so as not to overload the cervical vertebrae.Be careful with household chores that require keeping your head tilted up or, conversely, tilted down for a long time: for example, gluing wallpaper or weeding a flower bed with your favorite flowers is not for you.
When sitting at the computer, take a break every half hour to give your neck a chance to rest.Do not turn your head completely while driving.And in general, always and everywhere avoid sudden and impulsive movements of the head and neck.
The Fab Five
It is impossible to permanently get rid of cervical osteochondrosis, regardless of the effective treatment methods that are promised to you.But minimizing “visits” from an unpleasant guest is entirely possible.
To prevent attacks and exacerbations, do special exercises twice a day.It will take very little time.Here are five simple exercises, do them sitting in a chair with your back straight.
- Tilt your head slightly forward and place your palms on your forehead.Rest your head in your hands.Stay in this position for 10 seconds.Repeat the same thing by pressing your fingers to your temples.And now - to the back of the head.
- Sitting in a chair, lower your arms to your sides, pull your head back and slowly turn it to the left.Freeze in this pose for 30 seconds.Repeat the exercise by turning your head to the right.
- Raise your shoulders, trying to reach your ears.Stay in this pose for 10 seconds.Lower your shoulders, take a deep breath, relax for 10-15 seconds.Repeat the same thing, raising one shoulder and lowering the other.
- Lower your head, trying to rest your chin against your chest.Repeat 5 times.
- Gently tilt your head back, forward, left, right.Repeat the movement in each direction three times.
Shall we caress him, warm him?
Self-massage also helps activate the neck muscles, improve their blood supply and metabolic processes.It is not difficult at all and takes no more than five minutes, the main thing is to do the massage daily.So shall we begin?
Take a comfortable position in a chair and relax.Press four fingers of your palm against the back of your neck, stroking it up and down.Repeat 3 to 4 times.
Do the same, but more vigorously, massaging the back of your neck with just your thumbs.
Using a circular rotating motion (again, using only four fingers from each palm), rub the neck along the sides of the occipital bone, moving down along lines parallel to the spine.
Stretch your neck muscles: first, on the right side, using your left hand, grab the muscle with your thumb and four others, lightly pinch it and move it towards your palm with your thumb.Repeat the same on the left side of the neck, working with your right hand.
Finally, complete the massage by lightly stroking your neck up and down.
Don't rely only on yourself
Prevention is very good, but in case of osteochondrosis, you will have to surround your own neck with the attention of doctors.Especially if you are over forty.Time changes us not only externally, but also internally - pathological changes in the cervical spine accelerate, and here task number one becomes "monitoring" its condition.
The arteries that supply blood to the brain pass through the cervical spine.Blood supply disorders caused by vascular compression lead to unpleasant complications.One of the most common is associated with changes in the hypothalamus, a special department that is “responsible” for the emotional state, metabolism, blood pressure, activity of the cardiovascular system and much more.
This leads to insomnia, irritability, memory loss, severe migraines and water hammer.
If you want to help yourself, take a test.An x-ray of the cervical spine allows you to monitor for bad changes;to clarify the diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging, Dopplerography of cerebral vessels and some other examinations are performed.