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 static or uncomfortable position of the head leads to changes in the bone tissue of the cervical vertebrae.Many patients with cervical osteochondrosis of the spine complain mainly of pain, dizziness and limited movement in the neck.But no less often there is pain or numbness in the chest, arms, various parts of the head, tinnitus, nausea and the so-called cervical syndrome.
Other manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis (symptoms) are also possible: clicking 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 impairment, sometimes dull pain in the heart, a feeling of weakness and fatigue.Osteochondrosis of the spine is associated with degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs, which lose their elasticity and can be destroyed.Often, salts are deposited in the area of intervertebral discs and bone growths form, causing pain due to compression of the nerve roots.
What is osteochondrosis?
There are different 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 consists of seven discs and is the most mobile part of the spine, which provides the ability to tilt and turn the head.He 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 are essentially osteochondrosis.
The small cervical region contains many nerve channels and blood vessels that supply the brain.In the cervical region, the vertebrae fit closer together.Therefore, even with
A small change in one of the vertebrae causes compression or displacement of nerves and blood vessels.Due to cerebral circulatory disorders, migraines, 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 the cerebellum.When the artery is compressed, ischemia of the brain and spinal cord can occur and a stroke can occur.
Osteochondrosis of the neck causes damage to the nerve roots - the formation of bulges 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);
- Spine injuries (bruises, fractures);
- Bad posture, curvature of the spine;
- Instability of the spinal segments;
- Work associated with frequent changes in body position (turning, flexion and extension, jerks);
- Prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position when standing, sitting, lying down, when lifting and carrying heavy objects, when performing any work that overloads the cervical spine and the spine as a whole;
- Excessive physical activity with an underdeveloped musculoskeletal system;
- Nervous tension, stress;
- Hypothermia;
- Using the wrong pillows while sleeping.
Why are orthopedic pillows necessary?
An orthopedic pillow for cervical osteochondrosis is indispensable, as it allows you to achieve complete relaxation of muscle fibers and prevent compression of blood vessels, which leads to poor circulation.What should orthopedic pillows look like?Here are your signs:
- The presence of an anatomical shape (roller or rollers, 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 pillows of different heights, to
different body positions, suitable for sleeping on your back and side.A group of experts developed a pillow design with a notch (one or two) under the shoulder to adequately support the neck and head during sleep - particularly on the sides.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 recover its shape after pressure.
- It is very important that after sleeping on a 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 dust mites, the main household allergen, love to live in ordinary feather and down pillows.
The first three 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 tree, which grows in a few places.Therefore, orthopedic pillows made of natural latex, found on our market, are much more expensive than those made of polyurethane foam.Furthermore, latex can cause allergies.That's why we are in favor of polyurethane foam cushions with a “memory effect”.They have all four of these properties and, most importantly, are cheaper than latex.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Recommendations:
- Sleep on a memory foam orthopedic pillow (pillow selection 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 these 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 a table or computer, keep your head and back straight;
- Choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine (square or ring-shaped orthopedic pillows under the back, which help to significantly reduce the load on the spine, can also help).
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
These exercises will help both in the treatment of existing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and as a preventive measure.For preventive purposes, exercises for cervical osteochondrosis can be performed at home in the evening, but for this it is better to take 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 it gives a positive result and quickly enough.
Exercise 1.Sit up straight, tilt your head back and try to reach your right ear with your right shoulder and then return to the starting position.The exercise is performed slowly and smoothly, the muscles are not tense.Do five repetitions on each side.
Exercise 2.Sit upright, face forward and chin slightly raised.Slowly and gently turn your head to the right - as far as possible.Return to the starting position and make the same turn to the left.Repeat 5 times in each direction.
Exercise 3.Place your palm on your forehead and press your head onto it, while your palm should remain in the same place, that is, resist pressure.When pressing 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) needs to be placed on the back of the head and it is with this that you press the palm.The tension must be maintained, counting to 5. Repeat 3 times.
Exercise 5.The exercise is similar to exercise 3, but in this case the right palm must be placed on the right temple and the head pressed against the palm.The tension must be maintained, counting to 5. Repeat 3 times.Then do the same, placing your left palm on your left temple - repeat 3 times.
Exercise 6.Sit upright, 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 upright, 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 support of the hands, especially at times when the neck is tense and painful.
In severe cases, it is necessary to consult an orthopedic doctor.It may be necessary to prescribe medications, massage therapy and physical therapy.