What do programmers, accountants and painters have in common?Cervical osteochondrosis!This disease can severely impair a person's quality of life and performance.Holding your head in a still or uncomfortable position for an extended period of time can cause changes in the bony tissue of your cervical spine.Many patients with cervical osteochondrosis primarily complain of pain, dizziness, and limited neck movement.But equally common are pain or numbness in various parts of the chest, arms, head, tinnitus, nausea and so-called cervical spine syndrome.
Other manifestations (symptoms) of cervical osteochondrosis may include: crunching and pain in the neck when turning or tilting the head, tingling in the arms or legs, a burning sensation between the shoulder blades, dizziness or even fainting when turning the head violently, decreased vision and hearing impairment, sometimes heart pain, feelings of weakness and fatigue.Spinal osteochondrosis is associated with degenerative dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs, which lose elasticity and may be destroyed.Often, salt deposits in the disc area and forms bony growths, causing pain due to pressure on the nerve roots.
What is osteochondrosis?
This disease comes in different forms:
- cervix;
- cervical and thoracic vertebrae;
- Lumbosacral region.
Let’s consider cervical osteochondrosis.
cervical osteochondrosis– Progressive disease representing degenerative dystrophic disease
Intervertebral discs in the cervical spine.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is the most dangerous type of disease.The cervical spine is made up of seven intervertebral discs and is the most flexible part of the spine, providing the ability to tilt and turn the head.His muscles are relatively weak.At the same time, the instability of the cervical spine combined with constant physical activity (requiring support of the head, control of rotation and bending) explains the high vulnerability of this part of the spine to damage and degenerative changes (essentially osteochondrosis).
The small neck area contains many neural tubes and blood vessels that supply the brain.In the neck area, the vertebrae fit closer to each other.Therefore, even if there are
A small change in one of the vertebrae can cause nerves and blood vessels to become compressed or displaced.Problems with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, hearing, vision and coordination can occur due to cerebral circulation disorders, migraines, vegetative vascular dystonia and hypertension.In advanced stages, cervical osteochondrosis can lead to vertebral artery syndrome.The vertebral artery supplies blood to the medulla oblongata and cerebellum.When arteries become compressed, ischemia can occur in the brain and spinal cord, and spinal cord strokes can occur.
Osteochondrosis of the neck causes damage to the nerve roots - growths forming on the vertebrae, resulting in partial or complete loss of mobility.The most serious consequence of cervical osteochondrosis is spinal cord compression, which can be fatal.If treated promptly, serious consequences can be avoided.
The main causes of early occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis:
- flatfoot;
- adverse environmental conditions;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Work involving heavy lifting;
- genetic predisposition;
- Metabolic disorders, infection, and poisoning in the body;
- overweight;
- Malnutrition (lack of trace elements, vitamins and fluids);
- Spinal injuries (bruises, fractures);
- Poor posture and curvature of the spine;
- Spinal segment instability;
- Work involving frequent changes in body position (turning, flexion and extension, jerking);
- Remaining in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time while standing, sitting, lying down, lifting and carrying heavy objects, or doing any work that puts pressure on the cervical spine and entire spine;
- Excessive physical activity leads to underdevelopment of the musculoskeletal system;
- Nervous and stressed;
- low temperature;
- Sleeping on the wrong pillow.
Why do you need an orthopedic pillow?
An orthopedic pillow for cervical osteochondrosis is indispensable because it can completely relax the muscle fibers and avoid blood vessels from being squeezed, causing poor blood circulation.What should an orthopedic pillow look like?Here are its flags:
- the presence of anatomical shapes (one or more rollers, special grooves in the shoulders);
- elasticity of materials;
- Ability to maintain shape for long periods of time;
- Safe and hypoallergenic materials.
Let me explain.
- Cervical spine pads carefully support the head and provide proper support to the cervical spine.Orthopedic pillow has 2 bolsters of different heights for
Different positions, suitable for sleeping on your back and side.A team of experts developed a pillow design with notches (one or two) under the shoulders to properly support the neck and head while sleeping - especially when sleeping on your side.The shoulder's hollow shape helps you find a comfortable position and keep your spine straight. - The elasticity of a material refers to its ability to regain its shape after being compressed.
- It is very important that its shape is not lost after sleeping on the pillow, otherwise how would it "work"?
- Well, there is nothing to explain when it comes to safe and hypoallergenic materials.The nose in contact with the pillow should not inhale anything that is irritating, chemical, or harmful to health.Otherwise, at best we will wake up with a headache, at worst we will suffer
allergy.By the way, house mites are a major household allergen and love to live in regular feather and down pillows.
The first three of these properties are possessed by two materials: polyurethane foam and latex.Everyone is familiar with latex, including latex gloves, latex condoms, and latex pacifiers.It is obtained from the sap of the Hevea rubber tree, which grows in a few places.Therefore, the natural latex orthopedic pillows on our market are much more expensive than polyurethane foam pillows.Additionally, latex can cause allergies.That’s why we favor polyurethane foam pillows with a “memory effect.”They have all four of these properties and importantly, they are cheaper than latex.
Prevent osteochondrosis
suggestion:
- Sleep on an orthopedic memory foam pillow (pillow choice varies from person to person);
- Take a hot bath for 10 minutes;
- Swim, do yoga, take lots of walks;
- Avoid sudden head movements;
- Avoid placing excessive 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 a 5-minute break every hour.Walking, tilting head and torso in different directions while resting;
- Keep your head and back straight when sitting at a desk or computer;
- Choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine (a square or ring-shaped orthopedic seat cushion under the back helps to significantly reduce the load on the spine and can also act as a rescue).
Gymnastics for the Treatment of Osteochondrosis
These exercises will help treat existing cervical osteochondrosis and serve as a preventive measure.For preventive purposes, exercises for cervical osteochondrosis can be performed at home in the evening, but it is better to use short breaks at work for exercises (this is recommended for people with sedentary jobs).Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine do not take much time, but quickly produce positive results.
Exercise 1.Sit upright, tilt your head back, and try to reach your right ear with your right shoulder, then return to the starting position.Practice movements slowly and steadily, without straining your muscles.Repeat five times on each side.
Exercise 2.Sit up straight, face forward and chin slightly raised.Turn your head to the right as slowly and smoothly 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 palms on your forehead and press your head on them while your palms should remain in place, i.e. resist pressure.When pressing with your head, you need to tighten your neck muscles.Count slowly to 5 and relax.Repeat 3 times.
Exercise 4.The exercise is similar to exercise 3, just place your palm (or both palms) on the back of your head and press it with your palms.You must remain tense and count to five.Repeat 3 times.
Exercise 5.The exercise is similar to exercise 3, but now the right palm should be placed on the right temple and the head should be pressed on the palm.You must remain tense and count to five.Repeat 3 times.Then do the same thing, placing your left palm on your left temple - repeat 3 times.
Exercise 6.Sit up straight, tilt your head back slightly, then slowly and nervously, as if against resistance, lower your head and press your chin toward your chest.Repeat 5 times.
Exercise 7.Sit upright, lower your head, and slowly turn your head from side to side, 5 times in each direction.Meanwhile, the head remains bowed.
Gymnastics for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis should not include rotating the head without support from the hands, especially if there is tension and pain in the neck.
In severe cases, consultation with an orthopedic surgeon is required.You may need medication, massage therapy, and physical therapy.