And how much time we spend sitting in transport or at the table!So we pay for this with various diseases, among which the leader is cervical osteochondrosis.Well, what should we do with it?
It's different for everyone
Cervical osteochondrosis is not a flu that “attacks” suddenly: pathological changes in the vertebrae develop slowly, “mature”, gaining strength.And, as a rule, we do not pay attention to the very first signals, because we know nothing about them.Experts say that if you suddenly feel that it has become uncomfortable to sleep on a high pillow or for no apparent reason your hands begin to go numb and chilly, then it’s time to see a doctor.
Since we are all different, each has its own “specific” manifestations of the disease.But if “the process has begun,” most often the following symptoms “signal” that problems have begun:
- paroxysmal, painful headache, which usually begins in 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 turning the head suddenly;
- tinnitus;
- sometimes pressing pain in the heart area, radiating to the shoulder blade and forearm.With osteochondrosis, unlike angina pectoris, 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 ourselves often provoke.So let's learn to “hold the line” - to avoid situations that could provoke another attack.
Which ones exactly?Do not read or watch TV while lying in bed, so as not to overload the cervical vertebrae.Be careful with household chores that require you to keep 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.
While sitting at the computer, take a break every half hour to give your neck a chance to rest.Do not turn your head all the way while driving.And in general, always and everywhere avoid sudden, impulsive movements of your head and neck.
The Fab Five
It is impossible to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis forever, no matter what effective treatment methods are promised to you.But minimizing the “visits” of an unpleasant guest is quite 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 while sitting on a chair with your back straight.
- Slightly tilt your head forward and place your palms on your forehead.Press your head into your hands.Stay in this position for 10 seconds.Repeat the same, pressing your fingers on your temples.And now - to the back of the head.
- Sitting on a chair, lower your arms along your body, 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 up, 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, raising one shoulder and lowering the other.
- Lower your head, trying to press your chin to your chest.Repeat 5 times.
- Smoothly tilt your head back, forward, left, right.Repeat the movement in each direction three times.
Let's pet it, let's warm it up?
Self-massage also helps to activate the neck muscles, improve their blood supply and metabolic processes.It’s 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 on a chair and relax.Press four fingers of your palm against the back of your neck, stroking it from top to bottom.Repeat 3-4 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 of each palm), rub the neck along the sides of the occipital bone, moving down along lines running 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 toward 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 from top to bottom.
Don't rely only on yourself
Prevention is very good, but with 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 are accelerating, and here the number one task becomes “monitoring” its condition.
The arteries that supply blood to the brain pass through the cervical spine.Blood supply disturbances 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 results in insomnia, irritability, memory loss, severe migraines, and pressure surges.
If you want to help yourself, get tested.An x-ray of the cervical spine allows you to monitor bad changes; to clarify the diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging, Dopplerography of cerebral vessels and some other examinations are performed.