And how much time we spend in transport or sitting at the table!So we pay the price for it with various diseases, among which cervical osteochondrosis is the leader.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 gradually, "mature", gaining strength.And, as a rule, we do not pay attention to the first signs, 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 start becoming numb and cold for no apparent reason, then it is time to see a doctor.
Since we are all different, each has its own "typical" manifestations of illness.But if "the process has started", often the following symptoms "signal" that problems have begun:
- Paroxysmal, painful headache, usually starting in the back of the head and then spreading to the head and temples;
- Pain in shoulders, forearms, hands;
- Numbness, burning, tingling in hands or feet;
- Dizziness and even fainting when suddenly turning the head;
- tinnitus;
- Sometimes pressing pain in the heart area, which spreads to the shoulder blade and forearm.With osteochondrosis, unlike angina pectoris, it can persist for several days and even intensify.
Don't step on the same rake!
We must learn to live together with any chronic disease, and cervical osteochondrosis is no exception: periods of relative peace are replaced by exacerbations, which we ourselves often provoke.So let's learn to "stay in line" – to avoid situations that could provoke another attack.
Which ones actually?Do not read or watch TV while lying in bed, so as not to overload the cervical vertebrae.Be careful with household chores that require you to tilt your head up or, conversely, down for a long time: for example, pasting 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 rest your neck.Do not turn your head completely while driving.And in general, always and everywhere avoid sudden, impulsive movements of your head and neck.
fab five
It is impossible to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis forever, no matter what effective treatment methods you are promised.But it is quite possible to reduce the "visits" of an unpleasant guest.
Do special exercises twice a day to prevent attacks and exacerbations.This will take very little time.Here are five simple exercises, do them sitting on 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 this while pressing your fingers on your temples.And now - to the back of the head.
- Sit on a chair, lower your arms along your body, pull your head back and slowly turn it to the left.Stay in this posture for 30 seconds.Repeat the exercise by turning your head to the right.
- Lift your shoulders up, trying to reach your ears.Stay in this posture for 10 seconds.Lower your shoulders, take a deep breath, relax for 10-15 seconds.Repeat, raising one shoulder and lowering the other.
- Lower your head, try to press your chin to your chest.Repeat 5 times.
- Slowly tilt your head back, forward, left, right.Repeat this action three times in each direction.
Let's caress it, let's warm it?
Self-massage also helps to activate the neck muscles, improving 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 on the chair and relax.Press four fingers of your palm on the back of your neck, caressing it from top to bottom.Repeat 3-4 times.
Do the same, but more intensely, massaging the back of your neck with only your thumbs.
Using a circular rotating motion (again, using only four fingers of each palm), rub the neck to the sides of the occipital bone, moving downward along lines running parallel to the spine.
Stretch your neck muscles: First, on the right side, using your left hand, grasp the muscle with your thumb and the other four muscles, press it lightly and move it from your thumb towards your palm.Working with your right hand, repeat this on the left side of the neck.
Finally, complete the massage by gently caressing your neck from top to bottom.
Don't rely only on yourself
Prevention is very good, but in case of osteochondrosis you need 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 the number one task here is to "monitor" its condition.
The arteries that supply blood to the brain pass through the cervical spine.Disturbances in blood supply due to 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 migraine and increased blood pressure.
If you want to help yourself, get tested.X-ray of the cervical spine allows you to monitor pathological changes;To clarify the diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging, Dopplerography of brain vessels and some other examinations are performed.