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 are we going to do about it?
It is different for everyone
Cervical osteochondrosis is not a flu that suddenly "attacks": pathological changes in the vertebrae develop slowly, "ripen", gain strength.And usually we don't pay attention to the very first signals because we don't know anything about them.Experts say that if you suddenly feel that sleeping on a high pillow has become uncomfortable, 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, each has their own "specific" manifestations of the disease.But if the "process has begun", the following symptoms most often "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 shoulder, forearm, hands;
- numbness, burning, tingling in arms or legs;
- dizziness and even fainting when the head is suddenly turned;
- tinnitus;
- sometimes oppressive pain in region of heart, radiating to scapula and forearm.With osteochondrosis, unlike angina pectoris, it can continue and even intensify for several days.
Don't step on the same rake!
We have to learn to live 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 while lying 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 vice versa for a long time: for example, gluing 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, you must always and everywhere avoid sudden, impulsive movements of your head and neck.
The Fab Five
It is impossible to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis forever, regardless of 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 on a chair with a straight back.
- 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 and press the fingers on the 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.Freeze in this position for 30 seconds.Repeat the exercise by turning your head to the right.
- Lift your shoulders up and try to reach your ears.Stay in this position 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 and try to press your chin to your chest.Repeat 5 times.
- Bend your head back, forward, left, right.Repeat the movement in each direction three times.
Let's pet it, let's warm it up?
Self-massage also helps to activate the 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 on a chair and relax.Press four fingers of your palm against the back of your neck and stroke it from top to bottom.Repeat 3-4 times.
Do the same, but more vigorously, massage the back of your neck with just your thumbs.
Using a circular rotating motion (again with only four fingers on each palm), rub the neck along the sides of the neck bone, moving down along lines running parallel to the spine.
Stretch your neck muscles: First, on the right side, use your left hand, grasp the muscle with the thumb and four others, squeeze it lightly and move it towards your palm with the thumb.Repeat the same on the left side of the neck, working with your right hand.
Finally, finish the massage by lightly stroking the 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 to "monitor" its condition.
The arteries that supply blood to the brain pass through the cervical spine.Blood supply disturbances 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 pressure increases.
If you want to help yourself, get tested.An X-ray of the cervical spine allows you to monitor bad changes;to clarify the diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging, dopplerography of cerebral vessels and some other studies are performed.