And how much time we spend sitting in transport or at the table!So, we pay for this 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 slowly, "mature", gaining strength.And, as a rule, we do not pay attention to the first signals, because we do not know anything about them.Experts say that if you suddenly feel that it has become uncomfortable to sleep 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", more often the following symptoms "signal" that 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;
- numbness, burning, tingling in arms or legs;
- dizziness and even fainting when you turn your head suddenly;
- tinnitus;
- sometimes oppressive pain in the region of the heart, radiating to the shoulder blade and forearm.With osteochondrosis, unlike angina pectoris, it can continue and even intensify for several days.
Do not step on the same rake!
We have to 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 "hold the line" - to avoid situations that could 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 bent up or, conversely, bent over for a long time: for example, pasting wallpaper or cleaning 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.
Five Fab
It is impossible to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis forever, no matter what effective treatment methods you are promised.But minimizing the "visits" of an unpleasant guest is quite possible.
To prevent attacks and irritations, 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.
- Turn 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, pressing your fingers to your temples.And now - at the back of the head.
- Sitting in a chair, lower your arms along your body, pull your head back and slowly turn it to the left.Hold 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, rest for 10-15 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.
- Turn your head slightly back, forward, left, right.Repeat the movement in each direction three times.
Let's pet him, warm him?
Self-massage also helps activate neck muscles, improve blood supply and metabolic processes.It is not difficult at all and takes no more than five minutes, the main thing is to do massage every day.So shall we begin?
Take a comfortable position in a chair and relax.Press the four fingers of the palm on the back of the neck, stroking it from top to bottom.Repeat 3-4 times.
Do the same, but more energetically, massaging the back of the neck with just your thumbs.
Using a circular motion (again, using only four fingers of each palm), rub the neck along the sides of the occipital bone, moving down along lines that run parallel to the spine.
Stretch the neck muscles: first, on the right side, using the left hand, grasp the muscle with the thumb and four others, grasp it lightly and move it towards the palm with the thumb.Repeat the same on the left side of the neck, working with the right hand.
Finally, complete the massage by gently 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 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 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 much more.
This results in insomnia, irritability, memory loss, severe migraines and increased blood pressure.
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, Dopplerography of cerebral vessels and some other examinations are performed.