And how much time we spend sitting in transport or at the table!So we pay for it with various diseases, the leader among which is cervical osteochondrosis.Well, what should we do with it?
It's different for everyone
Cervical osteochondrosis is not a flu that "attacks" suddenly: pathological changes in the vertebrae develop slowly, "ripen", gain strength.And as a rule, we do not pay attention to the first signals, because we know nothing about them.Experts say that if you suddenly feel that you have become uncomfortable sleeping on a high pillow, or for no apparent reason your hands start to feel numb and cold, then it's time to see a doctor.
Since we are all different, everyone has their own "specific" manifestations of the disease.But if "the process has started", most often the following symptoms "signal" that the problems have started:
- paroxysmal, painful headache, which usually begins at the back of the head and then spreads to the crown and temples;
- pain in the shoulder, forearm, hands;
- tingling, burning, numbness in the hands or feet;
- dizziness and even fainting when turning the head suddenly;
- tinnitus;
- sometimes pressing pain in region of heart, radiating to scapula and forearm.In osteochondrosis, unlike angina pectoris, it can continue and even intensify for several days.
Don't step on the same paddle!
We have to learn to live together 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 "hold the line" - to avoid situations that can provoke another attack.
Which ones exactly?Do not read or watch TV in a lying position, 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, sticking 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.Do not turn your head all the way 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 what effective treatment methods are promised to you.But minimizing the "visits" of an unpleasant guest is quite possible.
To prevent attacks and exacerbations, do special exercises twice a day.It 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 by pressing your fingers on your temples.And now - to the back of the head.
- Sitting in a chair, lower your arms along the body, pull your head back and slowly turn it to the left.Freeze in this pose for 30 seconds.Repeat the exercise by turning your head to the right.
- Raise your shoulders up, trying 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 by raising one shoulder and lowering the other.
- Lower your head, trying to press your chin to your chest.Repeat 5 times.
- Smoothly tilt your head back, forward, left, right.Repeat the movement in each direction three times.
Shall we caress him, warm him?
Self-massage also helps to activate neck muscles, improve their blood supply and metabolic processes.It is not difficult at all and takes no more than five minutes, the main thing is to do the massage daily.So shall we begin?
Take a comfortable position in a chair and relax.Press the four fingers of your palm against the back of your head, stroking it from top to bottom.Repeat 3-4 times.
Do the same, but more vigorously, massaging the back of the neck with just your thumbs.
Using a circular motion (again, using only four fingers from each palm), rub the neck along the sides of the occipital bone, moving down the lines parallel to the spine.
Stretch your neck muscles: first on the right side, using your left hand, grab the muscle with your thumb and four others, squeeze it slightly and move it to your palm with your thumb.Repeat the same on the left side of the neck, working with your right hand.
Finally, finish the massage by gently stroking your neck from top to bottom.
Don't just rely on 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 accelerate, 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 related to changes in the hypothalamus, a special department that is "responsible" for the emotional state, metabolism, blood pressure, the activity of the cardiovascular system and many others.
This leads to insomnia, irritability, memory loss, severe migraines and blood pressure spikes.
If you want to help yourself, get tested.X-ray of the cervical spine allows you to observe bad changes;to clarify the diagnosis, nuclear magnetic resonance, dopplerography of cerebral vessels and some other studies are performed.