And how much time we spend sitting in transport or at the table!So we pay for it with various diseases, among which the most important is cervical osteochondrosis.Well, what should we do with it?
This is different for everyone
Cervical osteochondrosis is not a cold that “hits” suddenly: pathological changes in the spine develop slowly, “mature”, getting stronger.And, as a rule, we do not notice the first signals, because we do not know anything about them.Experts say if you suddenly feel uncomfortable sleeping on a high pillow or for no apparent reason your hands start to feel numb and cold, it's time to see a doctor.
Since we are all different, each person has his or her own “specific” manifestation of the disease.But if “the process has started”, the following symptoms most often “signify” that the problem has started:
- paroxysmal and painful headaches, which usually begin in the back of the head and then spread to the crown and temples;
- pain in the shoulder, forearm, hand;
- numbness, burning, tingling in the arms or legs;
- dizziness or even fainting when turning the head suddenly;
- tinnitus;
- sometimes tenderness in the heart area, radiating to the shoulder blade and forearm.With osteochondrosis, unlike angina pectoris, the disease can persist and even worsen for several days.
Don't step on the same rake!
We have to learn to live 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 “defend” – to avoid situations that could trigger another attack.
Which one exactly?Don't read or watch TV while lying in bed, so as not to put stress on the cervical spine.Be careful with household chores that require you to keep your head down or vice versa for a long time: for example pasting 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.Don't turn your head completely while driving.And in general, always and everywhere avoid sudden and impulsive movements of the head and neck.
The Great Five
It is impossible to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis forever, no matter what effective treatment methods are promised to you.But it is possible to minimize the “visits” of unpleasant guests.
To prevent attacks and exacerbations, do special exercises twice a day.This will take very little time.Here are five simple exercises, do them while sitting in a chair with your back straight.
- Tilt your head slightly 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 this exercise by turning your head to the right.
- Raise your shoulders up, try 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 shoulder.
- Lower your head, try to press your chin to your chest.Repeat 5 times.
- Tilt your head back, forward, left, right gently.Repeat this movement in each direction three times.
Let's pet it, let's warm it up?
Self-massage also helps activate the neck muscles, improving 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 every day.So, shall we start?
Take a comfortable position in a chair and relax.Press four fingers of your palm to the back of your neck, rubbing from top to bottom.Repeat 3-4 times.
Do the same thing, but more forcefully, massage the back of the neck with just your thumbs.
Using a circular circular motion (again, using only four fingers on each palm), rub the neck along the sides of the occipital bone, moving downward along a line parallel to the spine.
Stretch your neck muscles: first, on the right side, using your left hand, grasp the muscle with your thumb and the other four muscles, gently pinch them and move them towards your palm with your thumb.Repeat the same on the left side of the neck, working with your right hand.
Finally, finish the massage with light strokes on your neck from top to bottom.
Don't just rely on yourself
Prevention is very good, but with osteochondrosis you should monitor your own neck with the attention of a doctor.Especially if you are over forty.Time changes us not only externally, but also internally - pathological changes in the cervical spine accelerate, and here the number one task is to “monitor” its condition.
The arteries that supply blood to the brain pass through the cervical spine.Disruption of blood supply due to compression of blood vessels causes unpleasant complications.One of the most common is associated with changes in the hypothalamus, a special part that is “responsible” for the emotional state, metabolism, blood pressure, activity of the cardiovascular system and much more.
This causes insomnia, irritability, memory loss, severe migraines and pressure spikes.
If you want to help yourself, get tested.X-ray of the cervical spine allows you to monitor adverse changes;to clarify the diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging, Dopplerography of the cerebral vessels and several other examinations are performed.