And how much time we spend in traffic or sitting at the table!So we pay for this 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 slowly develop, "mature", and become stronger.And we usually don't pay attention to the very first signs, because we don't know anything about them.Experts say that if you suddenly feel uncomfortable sleeping on a high pillow, or your hands start to feel numb and cold for no apparent reason, it's time to see a doctor.
Since we are all different, each has its own "specific" manifestation of the disease.But if "the process has begun", most often the following symptoms "indicate" that the problems have begun:
- paroxysmal, painful headache, which usually begins in the back of the head and 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 suddenly turning the head;
- tinnitus;
- sometimes pressing pain in the region of the heart, radiating to the scapula and forearm.Unlike osteochondrosis, angina pectoris can persist for several days and even intensify.
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 peace are replaced by exacerbations, which are often provoked by ourselves.So let's learn to "hold the line" - avoid situations that could trigger another attack.
Which ones exactly?Do not read or watch TV while lying in bed to avoid overloading the cervical vertebrae.Be careful with household work that requires you to keep your head up or, on the contrary, lower it for a long time: for example, sticking wallpaper or weeding a flower bed with your favorite flowers is not for you.
While sitting in front of the computer, take a break every half hour to rest your neck.Do not turn your head completely while driving.And in general, avoid sudden, impulsive movements of the head and neck at all times and everywhere.
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 "visit" of an unpleasant guest is quite possible.
To prevent attacks and exacerbations, do special exercises twice a day.It takes very little time.Here are five simple exercises you can do while sitting in a chair with your back straight.
- Tilt your head slightly forward and place your palms on your forehead.He puts his head in his hands.Stay in this position for 10 seconds.Repeat the same, pressing your fingers to your temples.And now - to 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.Freezes in this pose for 30 seconds.Repeat the exercise by turning your head to the right.
- Raise your shoulders, try 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, raising one shoulder and lowering the other.
- Lower your head, try to press your chin to your chest.Repeat 5 times.
- Gently tilt your head back, forward, left, right.Repeat the movement three times in each direction.
Shall we pet him, warm him up?
Self-massage also helps to activate the neck muscles and improve blood supply and metabolic processes.It's not difficult at all and it doesn't take more than five minutes, the main thing is to do the massage every day.So shall we begin?
Take a comfortable position in a chair and relax.Press the four fingers of your palm to your neck, caress from top to bottom.Repeat 3-4 times.
Do the same, but more forcefully, massaging the back of your head with just your thumb.
Using a circular motion (again, using only four fingers from each palm), rub the neck along the side of the occiput, moving downward along lines parallel to the spine.
Stretch the muscles of the neck: first on the right side, with the left hand, grasp the muscle with the thumb and four others, pinch it gently and move it towards the palm with the 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 in the case of osteochondrosis, you need to surround your neck with the attention of doctors.Especially if you're over forty.Time changes us not only externally, but also internally - pathological changes in the cervical spine accelerate, and here the number one task will be to "monitor" the 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, cardiovascular activity and much more.
This results in insomnia, irritability, memory loss, severe migraines and increased blood pressure.
If you want to help yourself, take the test.X-ray of the cervical spine allows monitoring of bad changes;to clarify the diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging, dopplerography of cerebral vessels and some other tests are performed.