Cervical osteochondrosis has become in recent years 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. However, osteochondrosis of the neck is increasingly diagnosed in very young people, even adolescents.
Who can suffer from cervical osteochondrosis?
A computer and a television have entered almost every house. Prolonged work and games on the computer, many hours of watching TV 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 disease. Heavy physical work or, on the contrary, inactivity (physical inactivity), overweight and certain diseases, for example, metabolism, can also provoke 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.
In addition, with a long course of the disease, the spinal vessels and nerves located in the bone channels 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. It is only occasionally that there may be discomfort in the neck, recurring pain or cracking. As a rule, the majority of 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. Pain most often occurs in the neck, sometimes in the collarbone, shoulder, and upper limb. The pain may be accompanied by altered sensitivity (feeling of numbness, "crawling creep", etc. ).
- Cracking on any movement of the neck.
- Dizziness.
- Headache. They generally do not respond to conventional pain relievers.
- Imbalance and other symptoms.
These and other manifestations of the disease cause the sick person to seek help from 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 need to lead an active lifestyle. It is necessary to play sports or at least do daily exercises in the morning. An important role in the prevention of disease is attributed to the correct organization of work and rest regimes.
When working out, which is associated with a long, forced position of the body, you need to take breaks regularly.
During these breaks, it is very useful to do a gentle warm-up of the cervical muscles and self-massage of 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 on a daily basis. Their observance will allow to minimize as much as possible the frequency of exacerbation of the disease:
- 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 neck gymnastics.
- If possible, limit the time you work on the computer, watch TV, etc.
- Maintain correct posture.
- Use orthopedic mattresses and pillows for sleeping.
- The car should have hard seats with an adjusted headrest and a comfortable recline of the backrest.
- Try not to do heavy physical work, not to make sudden movements.
- If you need to lift a heavy object, you need to sit down first and then pick it up.
- Do not carry heavy bags over your shoulder. A backpack should be used to carry items.
- You have to get rid of the excess weight.
- Avoid hypothermia and drafts.
In case of acute neck pain, sharp heat effects (baths, saunas, etc. ) are contraindicated. Swimming is useful, especially on the back in a pool or open water.
Neck gymnastics complex
It is recommended to perform this exercise or a similar set of exercises regularly during breaks from 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 in the neck muscles, but also significantly increase efficiency, concentration and improve the state of memory:
- Lowering your chin to your neck, slowly turn your head back and forth. Perform five times in each direction.
- Lifting your chin a little, turn your head in each direction. Repeat five times.
- Tilt 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 to the back of the head. Press the back of the head onto the hands, overcoming resistance from the cervical muscles, for seven seconds. Repeat three more times.
- Press with your forehead on the still palms for seven seconds. Repeat three more times.
- Place your right palm on your right temple and press your head against it, engaging 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 resistance from strained neck muscles. Repeat five times.
- Tilt your head back, try to lift your chin up. Repeat five times.
- Intertwine the fingers and place them under the chin. Press them on still hands, engaging the cervical muscles for seven seconds. Repeat three more times.
Breathe easily, evenly, and calmly when you exercise. Don't overexert yourself. If you experience any sign of discomfort (pain or numbness, dizziness, etc. ), you should stop exercising and inform your doctor.
How to sleep properly?
In a dream, on average we spend a third of our life. Therefore, it is important to dwell in more detail on these nuances. Ideally, you should buy an orthopedic mattress and especially a pillow.
If that is not possible, here are some tips for choosing them:
- The mattress should be firm and resilient. 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. It should only support the head and neck. The shoulders are outside of her. In case of exacerbation of the disease, a special roller or a small bag with warm sand inside can be placed under the neck. If the patient shows signs of vertebral artery injury, a high, stiff 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 sleep completely without a pillow. This recommendation is only valid 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 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. 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 therapy is mainly used. Its main purpose is to reduce the intensity of pain in the cervical spine.
In the presence of dizziness, headache and other symptoms indicating involvement of the vertebral arteries in the pathological process, appropriate corrective treatment is applied.
Treatment in remission
After the disappearance of acute manifestations, perhaps the main treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is carried out. This should not be overlooked. Indeed, 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 therapy: drugs that improve the condition 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 a lot of problems for the patient. And, of course, we are all interested in the main question: how to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis?
Unfortunately, changes to the intervertebral cartilage and other anatomical structures of the cervical spine are irreversible.
However, scrupulous observance of all medical recommendations and a complete change in lifestyle will allow you to forget about neck pain for a long time, if not forever.