And how much time we spend sitting in transport or at the table!Therefore, we pay for this with various diseases, among which the leader 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, "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, each has its own "specific" manifestation of the disease.But if "the process has started," often the following symptoms "signal" that the problem has started:
- Paroxysmal, painful headache, which usually starts at the back of the head and then spreads to the crown and temples;
- pain in the shoulders, arms, hands;
- numbness, burning, tingling in the arms or legs;
- Dizziness and even fainting when turning the head suddenly;
- Tinnitus;
- Sometimes pressing pain in the heart area, radiating to the shoulder blade and forearm.With osteochondrosis, unlike angina pectoris, it can persist and even increase for several days.
Don't step on the same rake!
We must learn to live together with chronic diseases, and cervical osteochondrosis is no exception: Periods of relative calm are replaced by aggravation, which we often provoke.So let's learn to "hold the line" - to avoid situations that could trigger another attack.
Which one exactly?Do not read or watch TV while lying in bed, so as not to strain the cervical vertebrae.Be careful with housework that requires you to keep your head tilted or, on the contrary, tilted down for a long time: for example, sticking wallpaper or weeding a flower bed with your favorite flowers is not for you.
When sitting at the computer, take a break every half hour to give your neck a chance to rest.Do not turn your head while driving.And in general, always and everywhere avoid sudden, impulsive movements and your 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 "visit" of unpleasant guests is possible.
To prevent attacks and aggravation, 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 your back straight.
- Slightly tilt your head forward and place your palms on your forehead.Press your head into your hands.Stay in this position for 10 seconds.Repeat the same, press your finger on your temple.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 pose for 30 seconds.Repeat the exercise by turning your head to the right.
- Raise your shoulders, 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, raising one shoulder and lowering the other.
- Lower your head, try 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.
Let's hew it, let's warm it up?
Self-heading also helps activate the neck muscles, increasing their blood supply and metabolic processes.It is not difficult at all and does not take more than five minutes, the main thing is to do the massage every day.So shall we begin?
Take a comfortable position in the chair and relax.Press the four fingers of your palm to the back of your neck, stroking it from top to bottom.Repeat 3-4 times.
Do the same, but more vigorously, massaging the back of your neck with just your thumb.
Using a circular motion (again, using only four fingers per palm), rub the neck along the side of the occipital bone, moving down along a line running parallel to the spine.
Stretch your neck muscles: First, on the right side, use your left hand, take the muscle with your thumb and the other four, lighten it 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 lightly stroking your neck from top to bottom.
Don't just rely on yourself
Prevention is very good, but with osteochondrosis you need to surround your own neck with the attention of a doctor.Especially if you are forty years old.Time changes us not only externally, but also pathological changes internally in the cervical spine accelerate, and here the number one task becomes "monitoring" its condition.
Arteries that supply blood to the brain through the cervical spine.Disruption of blood supply caused by vascular compression leads to unpleasant complications.One of the most common is associated with changes in the hypothalamus, a special department that is "responsible" for emotional states, metabolism, blood pressure, cardiovascular system activity and more.
This results in insomnia, irritability, memory loss, severe migraines, and stress spikes.
If you want to help yourself, get tested.X-ray of the cervical spine allows you to monitor adverse changes;To clarify the diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging, dopplerography of cerebral vessels and several other examinations are performed.