Cervical osteochondrosis is pathological changes in the tissues of the intervertebral discs and the vertebrae themselves. As a result, the soft tissues become thinner, and the effect of the amortization of the vertebrae decreases. Compression of blood vessels and nerve fibers occurs and the mobility of the cervical spine decreases.
Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most dangerous localizations of osteochondrosis, as this disease worsens the blood supply to the brain.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
As a result, the normal function of the cervical spine is disturbed, its mobility decreases and neck pain occurs. Cervical osteochondrosis can cause deterioration in blood flow to the brain, migraines, abnormal heart rhythms, deterioration in vision, coordination, and attention, and the development of a herniated disc.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The disease is characterized by acute pain in the neck that radiates to the back of the head, shoulder blade, and forearm. The pain may increase when you move your head or in certain positions. The neck muscles are overwhelmed by the pain syndrome and the inflammatory process. The patients often have migraines, decreased hearing and visual 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 commonly, lumbar osteochondrosis is diagnosed (over 50% of cases), cervical (more than 25%), and widespread (around 12%).
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Parents often say a general sentence addressed to children: "Don't turn your head! " Doctors say the opposite: "Be sure to turn your head. " All ages. This is the only way to avoid a dangerous disease - osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
By its nature, the neck is not just designed to hold the head and turn it in different directions, which, by the way, becomes quite a difficult proposition over the years for inexperienced people who do not care about their health. The spinal cord, arteries that supply the brain, and nerve roots and trunks that create a neural connection with the hands, heart and lungs run through the neck region.
The symptoms of this type of osteochondrosis are very diverse: heart pain, headache, dizziness with brief loss of consciousness (due to disorders of the blood flow in the brain), pain in the shoulder joint or in the whole arm.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The pain that occurs in the thoracic spine from time to time is familiar to anyone who does heavy physical work. As a rule, these painful, unpleasant sensations serve as the first sign that a rather unpleasant disease is developing in the body - osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. This disease often affects people in the so-called sedentary professions: designers, computer operators, drivers.
But it is by no means necessary that you suffer from osteochondrosis even if you haul heavy objects every day or sit at a desk for hours.
Correct posture is a reliable barrier against illness. Try to keep your back straight and your shoulders straight as you walk. In order to form an attitude, as you yourself understand, it is necessary from an early age. But you can do this by age 30 or 40. Better late than never actually!
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis
First, dull pains appear in the lumbar region and legs, then numbness of the extremities is usually noted, a marked increase in pain with sudden movements of the body, when trembling.
Causes of Cervical Osteochondrosis
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis are usually associated with aging of the body and age-related tissue changes. However, lifestyle and related factors increase your risk of developing the disease. These include:
- low physical activity, sedentary work;
- Obesity and unhealthy diet;
- Musculoskeletal disorders: flat feet, rheumatism, scoliosis, posture disorders;
- Injuries to the neck or back of the head.
In addition, osteochondrosis can be caused by other diseases of the spine. The spine is a single whole and must also be treated in a complex. Therefore, if osteochondrosis is suspected, the first thing to do is to perform a complete examination of the spine.
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the cartilaginous surfaces of the bones of the musculoskeletal system, mainly the spine (and hip and knee joints). Osteochondrosis has four stages of development.
To understand the essence of this disease, it is necessary, at least in general, to understand the structure of the spine. The vertebrae are connected by ligaments and intervertebral discs. The holes in the vertebrae form the canal that holds the spinal cord; its roots, which contain sensory nerve fibers, extend between each pair of vertebrae. When the spine is flexed, the intervertebral discs on the slope side are somewhat compressed and their nuclei are shifted in the opposite direction. In simple terms, the intervertebral discs are shock absorbers that relieve pressure on the spine when it is under strain.
Mass morbidity is primarily associated with a person's vertical position, where the load on the spine and intervertebral discs is much higher than that of animals. If you do not learn to sit, stand, lie down, the intervertebral disc loses the ability to perform its function (amortization), and after a while the outer covering of the intervertebral disc breaks and protruding hernias are formed. They compress blood vessels (which leads to an impairment of blood flow in the spine) 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 every second person 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 vibrations.
This can be caused by:
- Work associated with frequent changes in the position of the trunk - flexion and extension, twists, jerks,
- lifting heavy loads,
- incorrect posture when standing, sitting, lying down and when carrying weights,
- Physical education and sport without taking into account the influence of intense physical exertion,
- unfavorable meteorological conditions - low temperature with high humidity.
But it cannot be said that osteochondrosis is not a threat to you if you carefully follow all the directions. After all, traumatic injuries can be the cause of this disease.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment is prescribed after the examination. The doctor collects a medical history and directs the patient for an examination. Most often - for magnetic resonance imaging. After finding out the exact cause of the disease, they begin treatment.
In the acute phase, the doctor prescribes pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs. In remission - physiotherapeutic procedures - massage, kinesitherapy, shock wave therapy, physiotherapeutic exercises. These methods are aimed at strengthening the muscle corset, relieving tension and preventing attacks of illness.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
- Get regular checkups.The disease is easier to prevent than cure. Annual checkups will identify and cure the disease at an early stage before it progresses to a more severe stage.
- Pay attention to your posture.Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed. If you do a lot of work at your computer or desk, choose a comfortable chair, sit properly, and warm up every half hour or hour of work.
- Lead an active lifestyle.Walk more, be outside, exercise, swimming is especially useful.
- Use an orthopedic pillow while sleeping.
Osteochondrosis and its prevention
Taking care of one's own health is everyone's immediate responsibility; they have no right to pass it on to others. After all, it often happens that a person, through a wrong lifestyle, bad habits, lack of exercise, overeating, puts himself in a catastrophic state at the age of 20-30. As perfect as 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 short, in order to reasonably achieve a real harmony of health.
Long exercise is a reliable prevention against osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Here are a number of exercises to help prevent this type of osteochondrosis:
- Press your forehead into the palm of your hand and contract your neck muscles. Do the exercise three times for 7 seconds. Then press the back of the head on the palm of the hand 3 times for 7 seconds.
- Tense the neck muscles, press the left palm with the left temple (3 times for 7 seconds) and then press the right palm with the right temple (3 times for 7 seconds).
- Tilt your head back slightly. Overcome the resistance of the tight neck muscles and press your chin against the jugular fossa. Do the exercise at least 5 times.
- Keep your head and shoulders straight. Slowly turn your head to the right as far as possible (5 times). Perform the movement to the left the same number of times.
- Lower your chin towards the back of your neck. Turn your head first 5 times to the right and then 5 times to the left.
- Throw your head backTry to touch your right shoulder with your right ear (5 times). Do the same movement, trying to touch the left shoulder with the left ear (5 times).
It is recommended that these exercises be included in the morning hygiene exercises and performed during the working day. You can do both sitting and standing. Under no circumstances should you make circular movements with your head. This can lead to injuries.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
If you also regularly perform the exercises listed below that develop and maintain the tone of the back and abdominal muscles and ensure normal mobility of all segments of the thoracic spine, osteochondrosis will not overcome you.
- I. S. - standing; Stand upright when inhaling, hands down, feet together. Raise your arms - breathe out. Bend back and take a deep breath. Then lower your arms, bend forward, slightly round your back, lower your shoulders and head - exhale. Repeat 8-10 times.
- I. s . -- Sitting on a chair. Put your hands behind your head - inhale, bend back 3 - 5 times as far as possible, place 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 this position for 2-3 seconds. Keep your head straight. Back 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. Push back as far as you can and try to pull the body off the floor.
- I. s . -- Lying on his stomach, arms along the body. Bend your thoracic spine, trying to raise your head and legs as much as possible.
It is recommended that you do these exercises to relieve the thoracic spine throughout the day with short breaks from work. In exercises 3 through 5, breathing is arbitrary. Do the 4th and 5th exercises 5-8 times. These exercises can be integrated into the morning exercise. It is very helpful to make a few movements after work. The main thing is to do the preventive complex every day, then reliably insure yourself against osteochondrosis.
How to sit properly
- Avoid furniture that is too soft - it's not for you. So that the body weight does not put too much strain on the spine, the body must be supported by the ischial tuberosity, and this is only possible on hard seats.
- the following requirements are imposed on furniture on which you will have to sit for a long time: the height of the chair, the chair must be equal to the length of the lower leg - the leg must rest on the floor; for people of short stature, it is recommended to use a bench under the feet; the maximum seat depth is approx. 2/3 of the hip length.
- There should be enough leg room under the table so that you don't have to bend over too much.
- If you have to sit for a long time, try every 15 to 20 minutes. warm up a little, change the position of the legs.
- Make sure your back is snug against the back of the chair.
- Sit up straight, do not tilt your head too much or bend your torso so as not to strain the muscles of the body.
- If you have to read for a long time every day because of your job, put a device (music stand) on the table that will hold the book at a sufficient height and incline towards the table so that your upper body can be forwarded.
- Try to sit relaxed while driving. It is important that the back is well supported. To do this, place a thin pillow between the lower back and the back of the chair that will receive the lumbar crook. Keep your head straight. After several hours of driving, get out of the car and do basic gymnastics exercises: twists, turns, squats - 8-10 times each.
- Do not sit or lie in front of the television screen for longChange it regularly, get up to stretch. We sat for 1-1. 5 hours, leaning back in a chair or stool, relaxing your muscles, taking a few deep breaths.
That’s the right way to stand
When a person stands for a long time, there is a lot of strain on the spine, especially in the lumbar area.
- Change position every 10-15 minutes while leaning on one leg or the other, this will relieve the spine.
- if possible, walk on the spot, move.
- from time to time bend back, straighten your arms, take a deep breath. This can relieve some of the fatigue in the muscles of the shoulder girdle, neck, neck, and back.
- When washing dishes, ironing clothes, take turns laying one leg or the other on a small bench or box. For people with osteochondrosis, it is better to iron while seated or to set up the ironing board so that you do not have to bend down low.
- When cleaning the apartment, try to work with a vacuum cleaner, not even deep bends, it is better to extend the hose with additional pipes. When cleaning under the bed, kneel on one knee under the table.
- To pick an object off the floor, crouch or bend with your knees bent and rest your hand on a chair or table. So you don't overload the lumbar spine.
That's how you lie right
It is better not to sleep on a soft bed, but also not on boards. The bed should be semi-rigid so that when a person lies on his back, the body maintains physiological curves (cervical, thoracic and lumbar lordosis). Therefore:
- Place a sign across the entire width of the bed or sofa, put 5-8 cm thick foam rubber on it, cover with a woolen blanket and put a sheet.
- if there is pain in the leg, you can put a blanket roll under the knee joint - this will reduce the stretching of the sciatic nerve and relieve pain in the leg.
- When their back hurts, many patients prefer to sleep on their stomach. Place a small pillow under your lower abdomen to prevent your lower back from bending too much, which can cause even more pain.
- Side sleepers can sleep with one foot on the other and one hand under their head.
Getting up in the morning for patients with acute manifestations of osteochondrosis can be very difficult. Do that:
- do some simple arm and leg exercises first;
- then, if you sleep on your back, roll onto your stomach;
- lower one leg to the floor;
- prop yourself up on that leg and arms, shift your body weight onto your knee, and slowly stand up without making any sudden movements.
And one more piece of advice. For those who like to bathe, dry steam (sauna) is preferable, and it is necessary to give up the sauna during an exacerbation.
How to properly lift and move weights
One of the main reasons for osteochondrosis to worsen and herniated discs to form, especially in the lumbosacral area, is lifting and carrying heavy loads. Acute and unexpected lower back pain occurs when weights are suddenly lifted with a jerk, and then a heavy object is moved to the side while rotating the body.
How to properly carry weights
- Do not carry a heavy load in one hand, especially over long distances, so as not to overload the spine, separate the load and carry it in both hands. It is not acceptable to hold a weight, bend it sharply, and bend (bend back).
- in general, it is undesirable for a patient with osteochondrosis to lift and carry weights in excess of 15 kg. We recommend buying a trolley or a bag on wheels.
- a backpack with wide straps is very practical for carrying heavy loads over long distances. The weight of a full backpack is distributed across the weight of the spine and the hands remain free.
How to properly lift weights
- Wear a weight lifting belt or wide belt if you have one;
- crouch while the back should be straight, the neck should be straight;
- grab a weight with both hands and step up without bending your back.
And finally, the most important pieces of advice. If there is acute pain in any part of the spine, you should not self-medicate with pills and ointments. Seek help from a qualified neurologist - you should make an accurate diagnosis, relieve pain, and develop a plan for further treatment.