What do a programmer, an accountant and a painter have in common?Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine!This disease significantly impairs a person's quality of life and performance.Prolonged or uncomfortable static position of the head leads to changes in the bone tissue of the cervical vertebrae.Many patients with cervical osteochondrosis of the spine primarily complain of pain, dizziness, and limited movement of the neck.But no less often you feel pain or numbness in the chest, arms, in various parts of the head, tinnitus, nausea and the so-called cervical syndrome.
Other manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis (symptoms) are also possible: crunching and pain in the neck when turning or tilting the head, tingling in the arms or legs, burning between the shoulder blades, dizziness and even fainting when turning the head sharply, decreased visual acuity and hearing disorders, sometimes annoying pain in the heart, feeling of weakness and fatigue.Osteochondrosis of the spine is associated with degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs, which lose elasticity and can be destroyed.Often salts are deposited in the area of \u200b\u200bthe intervertebral discs and bony growths form, which cause pain due to pinched nerve roots.
What is osteochondrosis?
There are several forms of this disease:
- Cervical;
- Cervicothoracic;
- Lumbosacral.
Let's consider cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine– a progressive disease representing degenerative-dystrophic disorders
intervertebral discs of the cervical spine.
Neck osteochondrosis is the most dangerous type of disease.The cervical spine is made up of seven discs and is the most mobile part of the spine, allowing you to tilt and turn your head.It has a relatively weak muscular corset.At the same time, the instability of the cervical spine in combination with constant physical activity (the need to support the head, control turns and bends) explains the high susceptibility of this part of the spine to both injuries and degenerative changes, which is essentially osteochondrosis.
The small cervical region contains many nerve channels and blood vessels that supply the brain.In the cervical region, the vertebrae fit more closely together.Therefore, even with
A small change in one of the vertebrae causes compression or displacement of the nerves and blood vessels.Due to cerebral circulatory disorders, migraine, vegetative-vascular dystonia and hypertension, problems with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, hearing, vision and coordination occur.In its advanced form, cervical osteochondrosis can lead to vertebral artery syndrome.The vertebral artery supplies blood to the medulla oblongata and cerebellum.When the artery is compressed, ischemia of the brain and spinal cord can develop, and a spinal stroke can occur.
Osteochondrosis of the neck leads to damage to the nerve roots: formation of growths on the vertebrae, partial or complete loss of mobility.The most serious consequence of cervical osteochondrosis is compression of the spinal cord, which can be fatal.Serious consequences can be avoided if the disease is treated in time.
The main reasons for the early development of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Flat feet;
- Unfavorable environmental conditions;
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Work involving heavy lifting;
- Hereditary predisposition (genetics);
- Metabolic disorders in the body, infections, intoxications;
- Overweight;
- Poor nutrition (lack of microelements, vitamins and liquids);
- Spinal injuries (contusions, fractures);
- Bad posture, curvature of the spine;
- Instability of the spinal segments;
- Work associated with frequent changes in body position (turns, flexion and extension, jerks);
- Prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position when standing, sitting, lying, when lifting and carrying heavy objects, when performing any work that puts strain on the cervical spine and the spine as a whole;
- Excessive physical activity with an undeveloped musculoskeletal system;
- Nervous tension, stress;
- Hypothermia;
- Using the wrong pillows while sleeping.
Why are orthopedic pillows necessary?
An orthopedic pillow for cervical osteochondrosis is an indispensable thing, as it allows you to achieve complete relaxation of muscle fibers and avoid pinching of blood vessels, which leads to poor circulation.What should orthopedic pillows look like?Here are its signals:
- The presence of an anatomical shape (one or more rollers, a special recess for the shoulder);
- Elasticity of the material;
- The ability to maintain its shape for a long time;
- Safe and hypoallergenic materials.
Let me explain a little.
- The cervical pillow carefully supports the head and creates adequate support for the cervical vertebrae.The orthopedic pillow has 2 bolsters of different heights, for
different body positions, suitable for both back and side sleeping.A group of specialists has developed a pillow design with a notch (one or two) under the shoulder to adequately support the neck and head during sleep, especially on the side.The shoulder recess shape helps you find a comfortable position and keep your spine straight. - The elasticity of a material is the ability of a material to regain its shape after pressure.
- It is very important that after sleeping on the pillow its shape is not lost, otherwise how will it “work”?
- Well, there is nothing to explain about safe and hypoallergenic materials.The nose that comes into contact with the pillow must not inhale anything aggressive, chemical or harmful to health.Otherwise, at best, we will wake up with a headache, and at worst, we will suffer
allergies.By the way, house mites, the main household allergen, love to live in ordinary feather pillows and down jackets.
The first three of these properties are possessed by two materials: polyurethane foam and latex.Latex is well known to you from latex gloves, condoms and nipples.It is obtained from the sap of the Hevea rubber plant, which grows in a few places.Therefore, orthopedic pillows made of natural latex, which are found on our market, are much more expensive than those made of polyurethane foam.Additionally, latex can cause allergies.This is why we are in favor of polyurethane foam cushions with "memory effect".They have all four of these properties and, importantly, are cheaper than latex ones.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Recommendations:
- Sleep on an orthopedic memory foam pillow (the choice of pillow is individual);
- Take a hot shower for 10 minutes;
- Swimming, yoga, walking more;
- Avoid sudden head movements;
- Avoid heavy loads on the spine or significantly reduce the number of such activities: running, jumping, strenuous exercise in the gym;
- When working on the computer, take 5-minute breaks every hour.During breaks, walk, tilt your head and torso in different directions;
- When sitting at the table or computer, keep your head and back straight;
- Choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine (orthopedic seat cushions in the shape of a square or ring under the backrest can also come to the rescue, which help to significantly reduce the load on the spine).
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
These exercises will help both with existing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and as a preventive measure.For preventive purposes, exercises for cervical osteochondrosis can be performed in the evening at home, but for this it is better to use short breaks from work (this is a recommendation for those who have a sedentary job).Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis does not take much time, but gives a positive result and quite quickly.
Exercise 1.Sit with your back straight, tilt your head back and try to reach your right ear with your right shoulder, then return to the starting position.The exercise is performed slowly and smoothly, the muscles are not tense.Do five reps on each side.
Exercise 2.Sit with your back straight, face facing forward, chin slightly raised.Slowly and gently turn your head to the right, as much as possible.Return to the starting position and make the same left turn.Repeat 5 times in each direction.
Exercise 3.Place your palm on your forehead and press your head to it, while your palm should remain in the same place, that is, resist the pressure.When you press with your head, you need to tense your neck muscles.Slowly count to 5 and relax.Repeat 3 times.
Exercise 4.The exercise is similar to exercise 3, only the palm (or two palms) should be placed on the back of the head and it is with it that you press on the palm.The tension must be maintained, counting between yourself to 5. Repeat 3 times.
Exercise 5.The exercise is similar to exercise 3, but in this case the right palm should be placed on the right temple and the head should be pressed against the palm.The tension must be maintained, counting between yourself to 5. Repeat 3 times.Then do the same, placing your left palm on your left temple - repeat 3 times.
Exercise 6.Sit with your back straight, tilt your head back slightly and then slowly, with tension, as if overcoming resistance, lower your head, pressing your chin to your chest.Repeat 5 times.
Exercise 7.Sitting straight, lower your head and slowly turn your head to the right and left - 5 times in each direction.At the same time, the head remains lowered.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis should not include rotation of the head without the support of the hands, especially in moments when the neck is tense and painful.
In more serious cases it is necessary to consult an orthopedic doctor.You may need to prescribe medications, massage therapy, and physical therapy.