In recent years, cervical osteochondrosis has become one of the main health problems of mankind. Decades ago, due to age-related changes in the intervertebral cartilage, this disease was thought to be the cause of many elderly people. Nowadays, osteochondrosis of the neck is increasingly diagnosed in very young and even teenagers.
Who can suffer from cervical osteochondrosis?
A computer and a TV set have entered almost every household. Working and playing games on the computer for a long time, and watching TV for a long time does not affect the cervical spine in the best way.
Those who spend a lot of time driving cars are also susceptible to this disease. Heavy physical work, or on the contrary, inactivity (no exercise), overweight and certain diseases, such as metabolism, may also cause the appearance of cervical osteochondrosis.
How and why does this disease occur?
When suffering from cervical osteochondrosis, the intervertebral cartilage is gradually destroyed. Therefore, the normal position of the vertebrae relative to each other is violated.
Moreover, with the long-term development of the disease, blood vessels and spinal nerves located in the bone canals of the cervical spine participate in the pathological process.
The main manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis
For a long time, this disease may not manifest itself in any way. Neck discomfort, recurring pain or crunching occurs only occasionally. Usually, most patients at this stage do not see a doctor.
Later, as the disease progressed, the manifestations of the disease appeared in the cervical spine. The most common cervical osteochondrosis is the following symptoms:
- pain. The pain most often occurs in the neck, sometimes in the collarbone, shoulders and upper limbs. Pain may be accompanied by decreased sensitivity (numbness, "creeping creep", etc. ).
- Any movement of the neck breaks.
- dizziness.
- headache. They usually do not respond to conventional pain medications.
- Symptoms such as imbalance.
These and other manifestations of the disease make patients still seek help from neuropathologists. However, they have shown an active degenerative process in the cervical spine.
How to prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis?
First of all, you should lead an active lifestyle. It is necessary to participate in sports or at least exercise every morning. The important role of disease prevention is the correct work and rest system arrangements.
At work, this is related to your body being in a compulsive state for a long time, and you should take regular breaks.
During these rest periods, a gentle warm-up of the neck muscles and self-massage of the area are very useful. Choose a mattress and pillow that suits you for a night’s sleep.
What if the disease has already appeared?
In addition to following the doctor’s advice to treat osteochondrosis of the neck, some simple rules should be followed in daily life. Their compliance will minimize the frequency of disease progression:
- Implement recommended physiotherapy comprehensive exercises every day.
- In sedentary work, change your body posture every 30-50 minutes and take a break to perform neck exercises.
- If possible, limit the time you spend working on your computer, watching TV, etc.
- Maintain the correct posture.
- Use orthopedic mattresses and pillows to fall asleep.
- The car should have a hard seat, an adjustable headrest and a comfortable backrest slope.
- Try not to do heavy physical labor and do not exercise suddenly.
- If you need to lift a heavy object, you should sit down and then pick it up.
- Don't carry heavy bags on your shoulders. A backpack should be used to carry things.
- You should get rid of excess weight.
- Avoid hypothermia and draught.
If severe pain occurs in the neck, it is forbidden to use severe thermal effects (such as bathing, sauna, etc. ). Swimming is very helpful, especially in the back of the pool or open water.
Neck gymnastics complex
It is recommended to perform this or similar exercises regularly during work breaks. And not only for patients suffering from cervical osteochondrosis, but also for the prevention of the disease. After all, such exercise can not only eliminate the tension of the cervical muscles, but also significantly increase efficiency, concentration and memory status:
- Place your chin on your neck and slowly turn your head in both directions. Perform five times in each direction.
- Lift your chin slightly and turn your head in all directions. Repeat five times.
- Tilt your head to the right and try to touch the corresponding shoulder with your ear. Do the same for the other side. Repeat five times.
- The chin is straight and the hands are pressed against the back of the head. Hold the hand at the back of the head and overcome the resistance of the cervical muscles for 7 seconds. Repeat three times.
- Press your forehead on the unmoving palm for seven seconds. Repeat it three times.
- Place the palm of your right hand on the temple of your right foot, then press your head to the right and tighten your neck muscles for seven seconds. Do the same thing on the other side. Repeat three times.
- The head is straight. Try to tilt your head forward to overcome the resistance of the tense cervical muscles. Repeat five times.
- Tilt your head back and try to lift your chin. Repeat five times.
- Interlace your fingers and place them under your chin. Press it on your stationary hand and strain the cervical spine muscles for seven seconds. Repeat three times.
Breathe relaxedly, evenly, and calmly during exercise. Don't overwork yourself. If you feel a little discomfort (pain or numbness, dizziness, etc. ), you should stop exercising and tell your doctor.
How to fall asleep correctly?
In dreams, we spend an average of one-third of our time. Therefore, it is important to explain these nuances in more detail. Ideally, you need to buy orthopedic mattresses, especially pillows.
If this is not possible, here are some selection techniques:
- The mattress should be firm and flexible. In the acute phase of the disease, it is recommended to place an extra protective cover or a wide wooden board under the mattress.
- Pillows should be small and moderately soft. It should only support the head and neck. The shoulders are outside her. If the condition worsens, you can place a special roller or a small bag with warm sand under your neck. If the patient has signs of vertebral artery damage, a firm, high pillow should be used. The height of the pillow also depends on the width of the patient's shoulders. Patients with cervical osteochondrosis should sleep completely without a pillow. This recommendation is only effective for disease prevention.
- The sleeping position for cervical osteochondrosis should be on the back or side. Extremely unsuitable to sleep. If this is not possible, a small flat pillow should be placed under the chest cavity.
Modern treatment
All methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are aimed at improving the anatomical function of the intervertebral discs and joints, as well as the ligaments and bone tissues of the vertebrae. Symptomatic treatment is used to reduce the severity of disease manifestations.
Acute stage of cervical osteochondrosis
As the disease worsens, medication is mainly used. The main goal is to reduce the intensity of cervical pain.
In the case of dizziness, headache and other symptoms that indicate that the vertebral artery is involved in the pathological process, appropriate corrective therapy should be adopted.
Remission treatment
After the acute manifestations subsided, the main treatment for cervical osteochondrosis may have been performed. This should not be ignored. Indeed, it is precisely during this period that the attending physician’s recommendations are carefully implemented to reduce the frequency and intensity of future illnesses. To do this, please apply:
- massage.
- Manual therapy.
- physiotherapy.
- Reflexology.
- Physical therapy and special gymnastics.
- Restorative drug therapy: drugs to improve the condition of intervertebral disc cartilage (chondrprotectants); vitamin therapy
Of course, complex treatment effects should be carried out under the guidance of a physician.
Is it possible to get rid of osteochondrosis of the neck?
Cervical osteochondrosis is a long-term disease that brings a lot of trouble to patients. And, of course, all of us are interested in the following main questions: How to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis?
Unfortunately, the changes in the intervertebral cartilage and other anatomical structures of the cervical spine are irreversible.
However, following all medical advice carefully and completely changing your lifestyle can make you forget the pain in your neck for a long time (and sometimes forever).