And how much time we spend in transport or sitting at the table!Therefore, we pay for it with various diseases, among which cervical osteochondrosis is the leader.Well, what should we do with him?
It's different for everyone
Cervical osteochondrosis is not a flu that suddenly "attacks": pathological changes in vertebrae develop slowly, "ripen", get stronger.And, as a rule, we do not pay attention to the first signals, because we do not know anything about them.Experts say that if you suddenly feel that sleeping on a high pillow has become uncomfortable or your hands have become cold and cold, then it's time to consult a doctor.
Since we are all different, each has its own "specific" manifestation of the disease.But if the "process has started", most often the following symptoms are a "signal" that problems have started:
- 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 vertigo when turning the head suddenly;
- tinnitus;
- Sometimes pressing pain in the heart area, which radiates to the shoulder blade and forearm.In osteochondrosis, unlike angina pectoris, it can last and intensify even for several days.
Don't step on the same ledge!
We have to learn to live with any chronic disease, and cervical osteochondrosis is no exception: periods of relative peace are replaced by exacerbations, which we often provoke ourselves.Let's learn to "hold the line" - avoid situations that could lead to another attack.
Which one exactly?Do not read or watch TV while lying in bed, so as not to overload the cervical vertebrae.Be careful with household work that requires you to raise your head or, on the contrary, bend down for a long time: for example, sticking wallpaper or rubbing your favorite flowers on a flower bed is not suitable for you.
When sitting at the computer, take a break every half hour to rest your neck.Do not turn your head completely while driving.And in general, always and everywhere avoid sudden, impulsive movements of the head and neck.
The Fab Five
It is impossible to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis forever, no matter how effective treatment methods are promised.But it is quite possible to minimize the "visits" of the unpleasant guest.
To prevent attacks and exacerbations, do special exercises twice a day.It will take very little time.Here are five simple exercises, perform them while sitting on a chair with your back straight.
- Bend your head slightly forward and place your palms on your forehead.Put your head in your hands.Stay in this position for 10 seconds.Repeat the same, pressing your fingers to your temples.And now - on the back of the head.
- Sit on a chair, lower your hands along the body, pull your head back and slowly turn to the left.Freeze in this position for 30 seconds.Repeat the exercise by turning the head to the right.
- Raise your shoulders up, try to reach your ears.Stay in this position 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 bring your chin to your chest.Repeat 5 times.
- Tilt your head back, forward, left, right smoothly.Repeat the movement three times in each direction.
Let's caress, let's warm?
Self-massage also helps activate neck muscles, improves their blood supply and metabolic processes.It is not at all difficult and takes no more than five minutes, the main thing is to do the massage every day.So shall we begin?
Take a comfortable position on the chair and relax.Press four fingers of your hand on the back of the neck, from top to bottom.Repeat 3-4 times.
Do the same, but more vigorously, massage the back of the neck with just your fingers.
In a circular motion (again, using only four fingers of each hand), massage the neck along the sides of the occipital bone, moving downwards in lines parallel to the spine.
Stretch the muscles of the neck: first on the right side, with the left hand, hold the muscle with the thumb and four others, lightly squeeze and move the thumb towards the palm.Repeat the same on the left side of the neck, working with the right hand.
Finally, finish the massage by lightly stroking the neck from top to bottom.
Do not rely only on yourself
Prevention is very good, but in case of osteochondrosis, you will have to wrap your neck with the attention of doctors.Especially if you are over forty.Time changes us not only externally, but internally as well - pathological changes in the cervical spine accelerate, and the number one task here is to "monitor" its condition.
The arteries that supply blood to the brain pass through the cervical spine.Disruption of blood supply caused by vascular compression leads to unpleasant complications.One of the most common is associated with changes in the hypothalamus, a special section that is "responsible" for emotional state, metabolism, blood pressure, activity of the cardiovascular system and many others.
It causes insomnia, irritability, memory loss, severe migraines and high blood pressure.
If you want to help yourself, take the test.X-ray of the cervical spine allows you to monitor bad changes;To clarify the diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging, dopplerography of brain vessels and other examinations are carried out.