And how much time do we spend sitting in transport or at the table!So we pay for it 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 suddenly “attacks”: 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 become numb and cold, then it's time to consult a doctor.
Since we are all different, everyone has their own "specific" manifestations of the disease.But if “the process has begun”, very often the following symptoms “signal” that problems have begun:
- paroxysmal, painful headache, usually starting at the back of the head and then spreading to the crown and temples;
- pain in the shoulder, forearm, hands;
- numbness, burning, tingling in the arms or legs;
- dizziness and even fainting when you suddenly turn your head;
- 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 with any chronic disease, and cervical osteochondrosis is no exception: periods of relative calm are replaced by exacerbations, which we often provoke ourselves.So we learn to "hold the line" - to avoid situations that could provoke another attack.
Which ones exactly?Do not read or watch TV while 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 flowerbed 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 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 get rid of cervical osteochondrosis forever, no matter what effective treatment methods you are promised.But minimizing the “visits” of an unpleasant guest is quite possible.
To prevent attacks and exacerbations, perform 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.
- Tilt your head forward slightly 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 to your temples.And now - behind the head.
- Sitting in a chair, lower your arms along your body, pull your head back and slowly turn it to the left.Lock in this pose for 30 seconds.Repeat the exercise by turning your head to the right.
- He shrugs, trying to reach his 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.
- Gently tilt your head back, forward, left, right.Repeat the movement in each direction three times.
Let's caress him, let's warm him up?
Self-massage also helps to activate the neck muscles, improve blood supply and metabolic processes.It is not difficult at all and does not take more than five minutes, the important thing is to do the massage every day.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 from top to bottom.Repeat 3-4 times.
Do the same, but with more energy, massaging the back of the neck with your thumbs only.
Using a circular rolling motion (again, using only four fingers of each palm), rub your neck along the sides of your occipital bone, moving down along lines parallel to your spine.
Stretch the neck muscles: first, on the right side, with your left hand, grab the muscle with your thumb and four more, pinch it slightly and move it towards the palm with your thumb.Repeat the same on the left side of the neck, working with the right hand.
Finally, complete the massage by lightly caressing the neck from top to bottom.
Don't rely only on yourself
Prevention is very good, but with osteochondrosis you will have to surround your 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 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, the activity of the cardiovascular system and much more.
This causes insomnia, irritability, memory loss, severe migraines and blood pressure changes.
If you want to help yourself, take the test.An x-ray of the cervical spine allows you to monitor bad changes;to clarify the diagnosis, MRI, Dopplerography of the cerebral vessels and some other tests are performed.