Cervical osteochondrosis in recent years has become one of the main health problems of mankind. A few decades ago, this disease was considered the lot of the elderly due to age-related changes in the intervertebral cartilage. Now, osteochondrosis of the neck is increasingly diagnosed in the very young, even adolescents.
Who can get cervical osteochondrosis?
A computer and a television have entered almost every home. Prolonged work and computer games, many hours watching television do not affect the cervical spine in the best way.
Those who spend a lot of time driving a car are also susceptible to this ailment. Heavy physical work or, on the contrary, inactivity (physical inactivity), being overweight and some diseases, such as metabolism, can also lead to the appearance of osteochondrosis of the neck.
How and why does this disease appear?
With cervical osteochondrosis, there is a gradual destruction of the intervertebral cartilage. Due to this, there is a violation of the normal position of the vertebrae relative to each other.
Also, with a prolonged course of the disease, the vessels and spinal nerves located in the bone canals of the cervical vertebrae are involved in the pathological process.
The main manifestations of osteochondrosis of the neck
For a long time, the disease may not manifest itself in any way. Only occasionally can there be neck discomfort, recurring pains, or cracking sounds. As a general rule, most patients at this stage do not go to the doctor.
Later, as the progression of the disease develops, the manifestation of the disease appears in the cervical spine. Most often, osteochondrosis of the neck is manifested by the following symptoms:
- Pain. The pain most often occurs in the neck, sometimes in the collarbone, shoulder, and upper limb. The pain may be accompanied by an alteration in sensation (feeling of numbness, "chills", etc. ).
- Crunching with any movement of the neck.
- Dizziness.
- Headaches usually do not respond to conventional pain relievers.
- Imbalance and other symptoms.
These and other manifestations of the disease cause the sick person to seek the help of a neuropathologist. However, they already indicate an active degenerative process in the cervical spine.
How to prevent the development of osteochondrosis of the neck?
First of all, you must lead an active lifestyle. It is necessary to do sports or at least do daily exercises in the morning. An important role in the prevention of the disease is assigned to the correct organization of work and rest regimes.
When working, which is associated with a prolonged forced position of the body, you need to periodically take breaks.
During these breaks, it is very useful to gently warm up the cervical muscles and self-massage this area. Choose the right mattress and pillow for your night's sleep.
What if the disease has already appeared?
In addition to following the doctor's recommendations for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck, several simple rules should be followed in everyday life. Its observance will allow to minimize the frequency of exacerbation of the disease as much as possible:
- Daily implementation of the recommended complex of physiotherapy exercises.
- During sedentary work, change the position of the body every 30-50 minutes, take breaks for gymnastics for the neck.
- If possible, limit time spent at the computer, watching television, etc.
- Maintain a correct posture.
- Use orthopedic mattresses and pillows for sleeping.
- The car should have hard seats with a tight headrest and a comfortable backrest for reclining.
- Try not to do heavy physical work, not to make sudden movements.
- If you need to lift something heavy, you must first sit down and then lift it.
- Do not carry heavy bags over your shoulder. A backpack must be used to carry things.
- You must get rid of excess weight.
- Avoid hypothermia and drafts.
In case of acute pain in the neck, the sudden effects of heat (baths, saunas, etc. ) are contraindicated. Swimming is helpful, especially on your back in a pool or open body of water.
Neck gymnastics complex
It is recommended to perform this or a similar set of exercises regularly during breaks at work. And not only for patients with osteochondrosis of the neck, but also for the prevention of the disease. After all, such exercises can not only remove tension on the cervical muscles, but also significantly increase efficiency, concentration and improve memory status:
- Lowering your chin towards your neck, slowly turn your head in both directions. Perform five times in each direction.
- Lifting your chin slightly, turn your head in each direction. Repeat five times.
- Leaning your head to the right side, try to reach the corresponding shoulder with your ear. Do the same for the opposite side. Repeat five times.
- The chin is straight, both hands are pressed towards the back of the head. Press the back of your head into your hands, overcoming the resistance of your cervical muscles, for seven seconds. Repeat three more times.
- Press your forehead on your still palms for seven seconds. Repeat three more times.
- Place the palm of your right hand on your right temple and press your head against it, straining your neck muscles for seven seconds. Do the same on the opposite side. Repeat three times.
- The head is straight. Try to tilt your head forward, overcoming the resistance of your tight neck muscles. Repeat five times.
- Leaning your head back, try to lift your chin. Repeat five times.
- Interlock your fingers and place them under your chin. Press them into your immobile hands, straining your cervical muscles for seven seconds. Repeat three more times.
Breathe easily, evenly and calmly when exercising. Don't try too hard. If you experience the slightest signs of discomfort (pain or numbness, dizziness, etc. ), you should stop exercising and inform your doctor about it.
How to sleep well?
In a dream, we spend on average a third of our lives. Therefore, it is important to dwell on these nuances in more detail. Ideally, buy an orthopedic mattress and especially a pillow.
If this is not possible, here are some tips for choosing them:
- The mattress must be firm and resistant. In the acute phase of the disease, it is advisable to put an additional shield or wide boards under the mattress.
- The pillow should be small and moderately soft. You should only support your head and neck. The shoulders are out of it. In case of exacerbation of the disease, a special roller or a small bag containing warm sand can be placed under the neck. If the patient has signs of vertebral artery damage, a high, rigid pillow should be used. The height of the pillow also depends on the width of the patient's shoulders. Patients with cervical osteochondrosis should not fully sleep without a pillow. This recommendation is valid only for disease prevention.
- The sleeping position for osteochondrosis of the neck should be chosen on the back or on the side. Sleeping on your stomach is very undesirable. If this is not possible, a small flat pillow should be placed under the rib cage.
Modern methods of treatment.
All methods of treating osteochondrosis of the neck are aimed at improving the anatomical functioning of the intervertebral discs and joints, as well as the ligaments and bone tissue of the vertebrae. A symptomatic treatment is used, which is aimed at reducing the severity of the manifestations of the disease.
Acute phase of cervical osteochondrosis.
With an exacerbation of the disease, drug treatment is mainly used. Its main objective is to reduce the intensity of pain in the cervical spine.
In the presence of dizziness, headaches and other symptoms that indicate the involvement of the vertebral arteries in the pathological process, appropriate corrective therapy is applied.
Treatment in remission
Once the acute manifestations subside, the main treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine may be carried out. This should not be neglected. In fact, it is precisely the careful implementation of the recommendations of the attending physician in this period that will reduce the frequency and intensity of exacerbations of the disease in the future. To do this, apply:
- Massage.
- Manual therapy.
- Physiotherapy.
- Reflexology.
- Physiotherapy and special gymnastics.
- Restorative drug treatment: drugs that improve the state of the cartilage of the intervertebral discs (chondroprotectors); vitamin therapy.
Of course, the complex of therapeutic effects should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
Is it possible to get rid of osteochondrosis of the neck?
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a long-term disease that causes many problems for the patient. And, of course, we are all interested in the main question: how to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis?
Unfortunately, changes in the intervertebral cartilage and other anatomical structures of the cervical spine are irreversible.
However, careful adherence to all medical recommendations and a complete change in lifestyle will allow you to forget about pain in the neck for a long time, and sometimes even forever.