Cervical osteochondrosis are pathological changes in the tissues of the intervertebral discs and the vertebrae themselves. As a result, the soft tissues become thinner and the amortization effect of the vertebrae decreases. Compression of blood vessels and nerve fibers occurs and mobility of the cervical spine decreases.
Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most dangerous locations of osteochondrosis, since as a result of this disease, the blood supply to the brain deteriorates.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
As a result, the normal functioning of the cervical spine is disrupted, its mobility decreases, and neck pain appears. Cervical osteochondrosis can cause impaired blood circulation in the brain, migraines, heart rhythm disturbances, impaired vision, coordination and attention, and the development of intervertebral hernia.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
The disease is characterized by sharp pain in the neck that radiates to the back of the head, scapula, and forearm. The pain may be worse when you move your head or in certain positions. As a result of the pain syndrome and the inflammatory process, the cervical muscles are overloaded. Patients often have migraines, decreased visual and hearing acuity, dizziness, tinnitus, sudden changes in blood pressure, fainting. A symptom of cervical osteochondrosis can be a violation of the sensitivity of the fingertips.
Types of osteochondrosis
The localization distinguishes cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and common osteochondrosis. Most often, lumbar (more than 50% of cases), cervical (more than 25%) and generalized (about 12%) osteochondrosis are diagnosed.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Parents often say a common phrase directed at children: "Don't turn your head! " Doctors ask the opposite: "Make sure you turn your head. "Any age. This is the only way you can avoid a dangerous disease - osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
The neck is designed by nature not only to hold the head and turn it in different directions, which, by the way, over the years for untrained people who do not take care of their health, it becomes quite a difficult matter. The spinal cord, arteries that feed the brain, nerve roots, and trunks, which make a neural connection to the hands, heart, and lungs, pass through the neck region.
Complaints with this type of osteochondrosis are very diverse: pain in the heart, headaches, dizziness with short-term loss of consciousness (due to disturbances in the blood supply to the brain), pain in the shoulder joint or throughout arm.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
The pain that occurs from time to time in the thoracic spine is familiar to everyone who does strenuous physical work. As a rule, these painful and unpleasant sensations serve as the first sign that a rather unpleasant disease begins to develop in the body - osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. Often this ailment affects people from the so-called sedentary professions - designers, computer operators, car drivers.
But it is not at all necessary that you, even if you drag heavy objects every day or have to sit at your desk for many hours, have osteochondrosis.
A reliable barrier against disease is correct posture. When walking, try to keep your back straight and your shoulders straight. To form the posture, as you yourself understand, it is necessary from an early age. But you can do this in your 30s or 40s. In fact, better late than never!
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
At first, there are dull pains in the lower back and legs, then usually numbness of the limbs is noted, a significant increase in pain with sudden movements of the body, with tremors.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis.
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis are often associated with the aging of the body and age-related tissue changes. However, lifestyle and related factors increase the risk of developing the disease. These include:
- low physical activity, sedentary work;
- excess weight and unhealthy diet;
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system: flat feet, rheumatism, scoliosis, posture disorders;
- injuries to the neck or back of the head.
Also, osteochondrosis can be caused by other diseases of the spine. The spine is a single whole and must also be treated in a complex. So the first thing to do if you suspect osteochondrosis is to have a complete spine exam.
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the cartilaginous surfaces of the bones of the musculoskeletal system, mainly the spine (as well as the hip and knee joints). Osteochondrosis has four stages of development.
To understand the essence of this disease, it is necessary, at least in general terms, to understand the structure of the spine. The vertebrae are connected to each other by intervertebral ligaments and discs. The holes in the vertebrae form the canal in which the spinal cord is located; Its roots, which contain sensory nerve fibers, run between each pair of vertebrae. When the spine is flexed, the intervertebral discs are somewhat compacted on the slope side and their nuclei move in the opposite direction. Simply put, intervertebral discs are shock absorbers that ease pressure on the spine under tension.
Mass morbidity is mainly associated with the upright position of a person, in which the load on the spine and intervertebral discs is much higher than in animals. If you do not learn to sit, stand, lie down, the disc will lose the ability to perform its function (amortization), and after a while the outer layer of the disc will crack and hernial bulges will form. They compress the blood vessels (leading to impaired spinal circulation) or the roots of the spinal cord and, in rare cases, the spinal cord itself. These changes are accompanied by painful sensations and reflex tension in the back muscles.
According to statistics, almost one in two people between the ages of 25 and 55 suffers from osteochondrosis. But most people begin to feel the manifestations of osteochondrosis after 35 years. The development and exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the spine is facilitated by static and dynamic overload, as well as vibration.
This may be due to:
- work associated with frequent changes in the position of the trunk: flexion and extension, twists, sudden movements,
- lift heavy loads,
- Incorrect posture when standing, sitting, lying down, and when carrying weights.
- physical education and sports without taking into account the influence of intense physical effort,
- Unfavorable weather conditions: low temperature with high air humidity.
But it cannot be said that if you follow all the instructions exactly, osteochondrosis will not threaten you. After all, the cause of this disease can be traumatic injuries.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Treatment is prescribed after the examination. The doctor collects the anamnesis and directs the patient for examination. Most of the time, for magnetic resonance imaging. Having discovered the exact cause of the disease, they begin treatment.
In the acute period, the doctor prescribes painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. In the period of remission, physiotherapy procedures, massages, kinesitherapy, shock wave therapy, physical therapy exercises. These methods are aimed at strengthening the muscular corset, relieving tension, and preventing attacks of the disease.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Get regular checkups.The disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Annual exams will identify the disease at an early stage and cure it before it progresses to a more serious stage.
- Take care of your posture.Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed. If you work a lot at a computer or desk, choose a comfortable chair, sit properly, and warm up every half hour or hour of work.
- Lead an active lifestyle.Walking more, being outdoors, playing sports, swimming is especially helpful.
- Use an orthopedic pillow while you sleep.
Osteochondrosis and its prevention.
Taking care of your own health is everyone's immediate responsibility, you do not have the right to pass it on to others. After all, it often happens that a person by the wrong lifestyle, bad habits, physical inactivity, overeating already at the age of 20-30, is brought into a catastrophic state. No matter how perfect medicine is, it cannot save everyone from all diseases. Man is the creator of his own health, which must be fought for. From an early age, it is necessary to lead an active lifestyle, temperament, exercise and sports, observe the rules of personal hygiene, in a word, reasonably achieve genuine harmony of health.
Exercising for a long time is a reliable prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Next, we present a series of exercises for the prevention of this type of osteochondrosis:
- Press your forehead against your palm and tighten your neck muscles. Do the exercise 3 times for 7 seconds. Then press the back of your head into the palm of your hand also 3 times for 7 seconds.
- Stretching the neck muscles, press with the left temple on the palm of the left hand (3 times for 7 seconds), and then press on the right palm with the right temple (3 times for 7 seconds).
- Tilt your head slightly back. Overcoming the resistance of the tense neck muscles, press your chin against the jugular fossa. Do the exercise at least 5 times.
- Keep your head and shoulders straight. Slowly turn your head as far to the right as possible (5 times). Move to the left the same number of times.
- Lower your chin to your neck. Turn your head first 5 times to the right and then 5 times to the left.
- Throw your head back. Try to touch your right ear with your right shoulder (5 times). Perform the same movement, trying to touch the left shoulder with the left ear (5 times).
It is recommended to include these exercises in the morning hygiene exercises, as well as to perform them during the work day. You can do them both sitting and standing. However, in no case should you perform circular rotational movements with your head. This could result in injury.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
If you also regularly perform the exercises (listed below) that develop and maintain the tone of the muscles of the back and abdomen, ensuring normal mobility of all segments of the thoracic spine, osteochondrosis will not overcome it.
- I. p. - standing; As you inhale, stand up straight, with your hands down and your feet together. Stretch your arms up and breathe out. Lean back and breathe deeply. Then lower your arms, lean forward, slightly rounding your back, lower your shoulders and head, exhale. Repeat 8-10 times.
- I. p. - sitting in a chair. Put your hands behind your head - inhale, lean back as much as possible 3-5 times, resting your shoulder blades on the back of the chair - exhale.
- I. p. - Get on all fours. Bend your back as much as possible and hold it there for 2 to 3 seconds in this position. Keep your head straight. Return to i. p. and repeat the same exercise 5 to 7 times.
- I. p. - Lie on your stomach and put your hands on the floor. Force back as much as possible, trying to rip your body off the floor.
- I. p. - lying face down, arms along the body. Bend your thoracic spine, trying to lift your head and legs as high as possible.
These exercises, which relieve stress on the thoracic spine, are recommended throughout the day during short breaks from work. In exercises 3 to 5, the breath is arbitrary. Do the 4th and 5th exercises 5 to 8 times. These exercises can be incorporated into morning exercises. It is very useful to perform a few movements after work. The main thing is that you do the preventive complex every day, then it will reliably insure against osteochondrosis.
How to sit properly
- avoid furniture that is too soft, it is not for you. So that the body weight does not put excessive pressure on the spine, the body must be supported by the ischial tubercles, and this is only possible on hard seats.
- The following requirements are imposed on the furniture on which you need to sit for a long time: the height of the chair, the chair should correspond to the length of the lower leg; the leg needs to rest on the floor; for people of short stature, it is recommended to substitute a bench under your feet; maximum seat depth is approximately 2/3 of hip length.
- There should be enough legroom under the table so they don't have to bend too much.
- If you have to sit for a long time, try every 15 to 20 minutes. warm up a bit, change the position of the legs.
- make sure your back is tight against the back of the chair.
- Sit up straight, without bending your head too much or bending your torso, so as not to strain your body muscles.
- If by the nature of your activity you have to read for a long time every day, make a device on the table (lectern) that holds the book at a sufficient height and inclined towards the table so that you do not have to lean your upper body forward.
- while driving a car, try to sit relaxed. It is important that the back is well supported. To do this, place a thin cushion between the lower back and the back of the chair, which will preserve the lumbar curvature. Keep your head straight. After several hours of driving, get out of the car and do basic gymnastic exercises: turns, curves, squats, 8-10 times each.
- in front of the TV screen, do not sit or lie in one position for a long time. Change it periodically, get up to stretch. We sat for 1-1. 5 hours, we lie down on a chair or chair, relax the muscles, breathe deeply a few times.
How to stand correctly
When a person is standing for a long time, the spine experiences significant stress, especially in the lower back.
- Change the position every 10-15 minutes, while leaning on one or the other leg, this will reduce the load on the spine.
- if possible, walk on the ground, move around.
- Every now and then, lean back, stretch your arms up, take a deep breath. This can relieve some fatigue in the muscles of the shoulder girdle, neck, nape, and back.
- If you are washing dishes, ironing clothes, alternately place one or the other leg on a small bench or box. For those with osteochondrosis, it is best to iron sitting or laying the ironing board so that you do not have to bend over.
- While cleaning the apartment, you work with a vacuum cleaner, also try not to bend down, it is better to extend the hose with additional pipes. When cleaning under the bed, kneel on one knee under the table.
- To pick up an object from the floor, squat down or squat down with your knees bent and your hand resting on a chair or table. This way you don't overload the lumbar spine.
How to lie correctly
It is better to sleep not on a soft bed, but not on boards either. The bed should be semi-rigid so that the body, when the person lies on his back, maintains the physiological curves (cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis). For this:
- put a shield across the width of the bed or sofa, and a 5-8 cm thick foam rubber on top, cover it with a woolen blanket and place a sheet.
- when the pain is in the leg, you can put a blanket roller under the knee joint; This reduces stretching of the sciatic nerve and relieves pain in the leg.
- When their back hurts, many patients prefer to sleep on their stomachs. Place a small pillow under your lower abdomen to prevent your lower back from flexing too much, causing even more pain.
- Side sleepers can sleep with one foot on the other and one hand under their head.
For patients with acute manifestations of osteochondrosis, getting out of bed in the morning can be very difficult. Do this:
- Do some simple arm and leg exercises first;
- then, if he is sleeping on his back, turn him on his stomach;
- lower one leg to the ground;
- Leaning on this leg and arms, transfer the weight of your body to the knee and gradually get up without making any sudden movements.
And one more tip. For those who like a bath, dry steam (sauna) is preferable, and during an exacerbation, the sauna will have to be abandoned.
How to lift and move weights correctly
One of the main reasons for the exacerbation of osteochondrosis and the formation of hernias of the intervertebral disc, especially in the lumbosacral region, is lifting and carrying heavy loads. Sharply, unexpectedly, there is pain in the lower back in cases where weights are lifted abruptly, with a jerk, and then a heavy object is moved to the side, while turning the body.
How to correctly carry the weights
- Do not carry a heavy load in one hand, especially over a long distance, so as not to overload the column, spread the load and carry it with both hands. It is unacceptable to hold a weight, bend and bend sharply (lean back).
- In general, it is undesirable for a patient with osteochondrosis to lift and carry weights of more than 15 kg. We recommend that you purchase a trolley or bag on wheels.
- A backpack with wide straps is very convenient for carrying heavy loads over long distances. The weight of a complete backpack is distributed over the weight of the column and the hands are free.
How to lift weights correctly
- put on, if you have, a weightlifter belt or any wide belt;
- bend over, while the back should be straight, the neck should be straight;
- Gripping a weight with both hands, get up without bending your back.
And finally, the most important tip. If there is sharp pain in any part of the spine, you should not self-medicate with pills and ointments. Seek the help of a qualified neurologist; You must establish an accurate diagnosis, relieve pain, and develop a plan for further treatment.