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 this?
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 first signs, because we know nothing about them.Experts say that if you suddenly feel that it is uncomfortable to sleep on a high pillow or, for no apparent reason, your hands begin to feel numb and cold, then it's time to see a doctor.
As we are all different, each one has their “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 your head suddenly;
- tinnitus;
- sometimes intense pain in the heart region, radiating to the shoulder blade and forearm.With osteochondrosis, unlike angina pectoris, it can persist and even intensify for several days.
Do not 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 cause ourselves.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, to avoid putting stress on your 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 pulling weeds from a flower bed with your favorite flowers is not for you.
While sitting at your 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 Fabulous Five
It is impossible to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis forever, regardless of what effective treatment methods are promised to you.But it is quite possible to minimize the “visits” of an unpleasant guest.
To prevent attacks and exacerbations, do special exercises twice a day.It will take very little time.Here are five simple exercises, do them 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 on your temples.And now - on 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 turning your head to the right.
- Raise your shoulders, trying to reach your ears.Stay in this pose for 10 seconds.Lower your shoulders, take a deep breath and relax for 10 to 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.
Shall we caress him, shall we warm him?
Self-massage also helps activate neck muscles, improve 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 get started?
Get into a comfortable position in a chair and relax.Press four fingers of your palm on the back of the neck, stroking it from top to bottom.Repeat 3-4 times.
Do the same, but with more vigor, massaging the back of your neck with just your thumbs.
Using a circular rotating motion (again, using just four fingers from each palm), rub your neck along the sides of the occipital bone, moving down along lines parallel to the spine.
Stretch the neck muscles: first, on the right side, with your left hand, hold the muscle with your thumb and four others, squeeze lightly and move it towards the palm of your hand with your thumb.Repeat the same on the left side of your neck, working with your right hand.
Finally, complete the massage by lightly stroking the neck from top to bottom.
Don't just trust 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 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, activity of the cardiovascular system and much more.
This results in insomnia, irritability, memory loss, severe migraines and blood pressure spikes.
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 cerebral vessels and some other tests are performed.