Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathological change in the tissues of the intervertebral discs and the vertebrae themselves. As a result, the soft tissues become thinner and the cushioning effect of the vertebrae is reduced. Compression of blood vessels and nerve fibers occurs, and the mobility of the cervical spine is reduced.
Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most dangerous localizations of osteochondrosis, because as a result of this disease the supply of the brain deteriorates.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
As a result, the normal functioning of the cervical spine is disturbed, its mobility is reduced and neck pain occurs. Cervical osteochondrosis can cause worsening of blood circulation in the brain, migraines, heart rhythm disorders, worsening of vision, coordination and attention, and the development of an intervertebral hernia.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The disease is characterized by acute pain in the neck, which radiates to the nape of the neck, shoulder blade and forearm. The pain may worsen when moving the head or in certain positions. As a result of the pain syndrome and the inflammatory process, the neck muscles are overloaded. Patients often have migraines, decreased hearing and vision acuity, dizziness, tinnitus, sudden changes in blood pressure, fainting. A symptom of cervical osteochondrosis may be a violation of the sensitivity of the fingertips.
Types of osteochondrosis
The localization distinguishes cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and common osteochondrosis. Lumbar osteochondrosis (over 50% of cases), cervical (more than 25%) and widespread (about 12%) are most commonly diagnosed.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Parents often say the usual phrase addressed to children: "Don’t turn your head! " Doctors call for the opposite: "be sure to turn your head. " Any age. Only in this way can you avoid a dangerous disease - osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
The neck is by nature designed not only to hold the head and turn it in different directions, which, by the way, becomes quite a difficult thing for untrained people who do not take care of their health with age. The spinal cord, the arteries that supply the brain, nerve roots and trunks, which make a neural connection with the hands, heart and lungs, pass through the neck area.
Complaints of this type of osteochondrosis are very diverse: heart pain, headaches, dizziness with short-term loss of consciousness (due to disturbances in the blood supply to the brain), pain in the shoulder joint or the whole arm.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The pain that occurs from time to time in the thoracic spine is known to everyone who engages in heavy physical work. These painful, unpleasant sensations are usually the first sign that the body is beginning to develop a rather unpleasant disease - osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. This disease often affects people in the so-called sedentary professions: designers, computer operators, car drivers.
But it is not necessary at all that you will have osteochondrosis, even if you drag heavy objects every day or have to sit at your desk for a long time.
A reliable barrier to the disease is proper posture. When walking, try to keep your back straight, your shoulders straight. To form an attitude, as you yourself understand, it is necessary from early childhood. But you can do it at 30 or 40. Indeed, better late than never!
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
At first, dull pains appear in the lumbar region and legs, and then numbness of the extremities is usually noticed, a significant increase in pain with sudden movements of the body, with trembling.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis are usually associated with aging of the body and age-related changes in the tissues. However, lifestyle and related factors increase the risk of developing the disease. These include:
- low physical activity, inactive work;
- excess weight and unhealthy diet;
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system: flat feet, rheumatism, scoliosis, posture disorders;
- injuries to the neck or nape of the neck.
In addition, osteochondrosis can be caused by other diseases of the spine. The spine is a unique whole and should also be treated in a complex. Therefore, the first thing you must do if you suspect osteochondrosis is to undergo a complete examination of the spine.
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 to understand the structure of the spine at least in general. The vertebrae are interconnected by ligaments and intervertebral discs. Holes in the vertebrae form the canal in which the spinal cord is located; its roots, which contain sensory nerve fibers, extend between each pair of vertebrae. When the spine bends, the intervertebral discs are somewhat compressed on the side of the slope, and their nuclei are moved in the opposite direction. Simply put, intervertebral discs are shock absorbers that relieve pressure on the spine under stress.
Fat morbidity is primarily related to the vertical 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 (cushioning) and after a while the outer shell of the disc will rupture and hernial protrusions will form. They compress blood vessels (which leads to damage to the 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 of the back muscles.
According to statistics, almost every other person between the ages of 25 and 55 suffers from osteochondrosis. But mostly people start to feel the manifestations of osteochondrosis after 35 years. The development and worsening of osteochondrosis of the spine is facilitated by static and dynamic overloads, as well as vibrations.
This can be caused by:
- work associated with frequent changes in the position of the hull - bending and protrusion, turns, jerks,
- lifting heavy loads,
- improper posture when standing, sitting, lying down and when carrying weights,
- physical education and sports without taking into account the impact of heavy physical effort,
- unfavorable meteorological conditions - low temperature with high humidity.
But it cannot be said that if you follow all the instructions exactly, then osteochondrosis will not endanger you. Finally, the cause of this disease can be traumatic injuries.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment is prescribed after examination. The doctor collects a medical history and directs the patient for an examination. Most often - for magnetic resonance imaging. Having discovered the exact cause of the disease, they start treatment.
In the acute period, the doctor prescribes painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. In the period of remission - physiotherapy procedures - massage, kinesiotherapy, shock wave therapy, physiotherapy exercises. These methods aim to strengthen the muscular corset, relieve tension and prevent disease attacks.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
- Check regularly.The disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Annual checkups will identify the disease at an early stage and cure it before it progresses to a more severe stage.
- Pay attention to 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.Walk more, be outdoors, do sports, swimming is especially useful.
- Use an orthopedic pillow while you sleep.
Osteochondrosis and its prevention
Taking care of one's own health is the immediate responsibility of all; he has no right to transfer it to others. After all, it often happens that a person is brought to a catastrophic state by the wrong way of life, bad habits, physical inactivity, overeating for up to 20-30 years. No matter how perfect the medicine may be, it cannot save everyone from all diseases. Man is the creator of his own health for which he must fight. From the earliest age, it is necessary to lead an active lifestyle, temperament, exercise and play sports, adhere to the rules of personal hygiene - in a word, in order to achieve true harmony of health in reasonable ways.
Long exercise is a reliable prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Here are some exercises to prevent this type of osteochondrosis:
- Press your forehead on your palm and tighten your neck muscles. Do the exercise 3 times for 7 seconds. Then press the back of the head on the palm also 3 times for 7 seconds.
- Tightening the neck muscles, press the left temple on the left palm (3 times for 7 seconds), then press the right palm on the right palm (3 times for 7 seconds).
- Tilt your head back slightly. Overcoming the resistance of the tense neck muscles, press your chin against the neck pit. Do the exercise at least 5 times.
- Keep your head and shoulders upright. Slowly turn your head as far to the right as possible (5 times). Move left the same number of times.
- Put your chin on your neck. First turn your head 5 times to the right and then 5 times to the left.
- Throw your head back. Try touching your right shoulder with your right ear (5 times). Perform the same movement by 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 working day. You can also do them while sitting and standing. However, in no case should you perform circular rotational movements of the head. This can result in injuries.
Prevention of thoracic spine osteochondrosis
If you also regularly perform exercises (listed below) that develop and maintain the tone of the back and abdominal muscles, ensuring normal mobility of all segments of the thoracic spine, then osteochondrosis will not overcome you.
- I. p. - standing; as you inhale, stand up straight, arms down, feet together. Stretch your arms up - exhale. Bend down and take a deep breath. Then lower your arms, bend forward, slightly rounding your back, lower your shoulders and head - exhale. Repeat 8-10 times.
- I. p. - sitting on a chair. Put your hands behind your head - inhale, bend as much as possible 3-5 times, resting your shoulders on the back of the chair - exhale.
- I. p. - Get on all fours. Bend your back as much as possible and hold for 2-3 seconds in this position. Keep your head upright. 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 yourself as much as possible, trying to tear your body off the floor.
- I. p. - lying on his stomach, hands next to the body. Bend at the thoracic spine, trying to raise your head and legs as much as possible.
These exercises, which relieve stress on the thoracic spine, are advised to be performed during the day during short breaks in work. In Exercises 3 to 5, breathing is arbitrary. Do Exercises 4 and 5 5-8 times. These exercises can fit into your morning exercises. It is very useful to perform a few movements after work. The main thing is to do a preventive complex every day, then you will be reliably insured against osteochondrosis.
How to sit properly
- Avoid too soft furniture - it's not for you. As the body weight does not exert excessive pressure on the spine, the body must be supported by sciatic tubercles, and this is only possible on hard seats.
- the following requirements are imposed on the furniture on which you have to sit for a long time: the height of the chair, the chair must match the length of the lower leg - it is necessary that the foot lies on the floor; people of small stature are recommended to replace the bench under their feet; the maximum seat depth is approximately 2/3 the length of the hips.
- there should be enough legroom under the table so you don’t have to bend too much.
- if you have to sit for a long time, try about every 15 to 20 minutes. warm up a bit, change the position of your legs.
- make sure your back is firmly against the back of the chair.
- sit upright, not tilting your head too much or bending your torso, so as not to strain your body muscles.
- If by the nature of the activity you have to read for a long time every day, make a device on the table (music stand) that supports the book at a sufficient height and tilted towards the table so that you do not have to tilt your upper body forward.
- while driving the car, try to sit relaxed. It is important that the back is well supported. To do this, place a thin pillow between your lower back and the back of the chair, which will preserve the lumbar bandage. Keep your head upright. After a few hours of driving, get out of the car and do basic gymnastic exercises: turns, bends, squats - 8-10 times.
- in front of the TV screen, do not sit or lie down in one position for a long time. Change it periodically, get up to stretch. We sat for 1-1, 5 hours, leaned back in a chair or stool, relaxed our muscles and took several deep breaths.
How to stand properly
When a person stands for a long time, the spine experiences significant stress, especially the lumbar part.
- change position every 10-15 minutes, while leaning on one or the other leg will reduce the load on the spine.
- if possible, walk in place, move around.
- from time to time, bend down, stretching your arms upwards, take a deep breath. This can somewhat alleviate the fatigue of the muscles of the shoulder girdle, neck, nape of the neck, back.
- if you wash dishes, iron bedding, alternately place one or the other foot on a small bench or box. For those who suffer from osteochondrosis, it is better to iron while sitting or placing an ironing board, so you do not have to bend low.
- while cleaning the apartment, working with a vacuum cleaner, also try not to bend, it is better to extend the hose with additional pipes. When cleaning under the bed, kneel on one knee under the table.
- to lift an object off the floor, squat or bend your knees and rest your hand on a chair or table. This way you will not overload the lumbar spine.
How to lie properly
It is better to sleep not on a soft bed, but also on planks. The bed should be semi-rigid so that the body, when the person lies on his back, maintains physiological curves (cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis). For this:
- put a shield on the entire width of the bed or sofa, and on top of a foam rubber 5-8 cm thick. Cover it with a woolen blanket and lay a sheet.
- when there is pain in the leg, you can put a roller cover under the knee joint - this reduces the 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 bending too much, causing even more pain.
- lovers of sleeping on their side can sleep with one foot on the other and their hand under their head.
Getting out of bed in the morning for patients with acute manifestations of osteochondrosis can be very difficult. Do this:
- do a few simple arm and leg exercises first;
- then if you sleep on your back, roll over on your stomach;
- put one foot on the floor;
- leaning on this leg and arm, transfer your body weight to your knee and gradually stand up without sudden movements.
And another tip. For those who like a bath, dry steam (sauna) is desirable, and during the deterioration, they will have to leave the sauna.
How to properly lift and move weights
One of the main reasons for the worsening of osteochondrosis and the formation of hernias of the intervertebral disc, especially in the lumbosacral region, is lifting and carrying heavy loads. Acutely, unexpectedly, there is pain in the lower back in cases where the weights are lifted abruptly with a jerk, and then the heavy object moves to the side as the body rotates.
How to properly carry weights
- Do not carry a heavy load in one hand, especially over a long distance, so as not to overload the spine, separate the load and carry it in both hands. It is unacceptable to hold a weight, bend and bend abruptly (bend backwards).
- in general, it is undesirable for a patient with osteochondrosis to lift and carry a weight greater than 15 kg. We advise you to buy a stroller or a bag on wheels.
- a backpack with wide straps is very suitable for carrying heavy loads over long distances. The weight of a full backpack is distributed to the weight of the spine, and the hands remain free.
How to lift weights properly
- put on, if you have, a weightlifting belt or any wide belt;
- squat, while the back should be straight, the neck should be straightened;
- grabbing the weight with both hands, stand up without bending your back.
And finally, the most important piece of advice. If there is acute pain in any part of the spine, you should not self-medicate with tablets and ointments. Seek the help of a qualified neurologist - you should establish an accurate diagnosis, alleviate the pain and develop a plan for further treatment.