Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most common and frequent diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Everything happens because modern living conditions create the most favorable conditions for the development of this disease. Poor posture from early childhood is considered the main harbinger of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Most modern professions are associated with sitting for a long time in front of the monitor. People for hours, days and years lead a sedentary lifestyle and, as a result, develop osteochondrosis. How to recognize this disease, what are the symptoms?
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Pain in the cervical spine. Painful sensations are quite long and painful. The pain is usually worse when you are lying down.
- If the disease is not treated, the pain becomes so severe and intrusive that the person is incapacitated. Painful sensations practically do not subside, only weaken or, on the contrary, become stronger.
- The pain can be accompanied by weakness, dizziness, nausea, and even vomiting. In advanced cases, osteochondrosis can lead to loss of consciousness.
- One of the symptoms of the disease is tinnitus and the sensation of vibration. Osteochondrosis also affects blood pressure.
- Tremors in the body and dark circles before the eyes are not uncommon with osteochondrosis.
- Sometimes the pain can reach the forearms or hands. Painful sensations turn into tingling and even numbness of the limbs.
How to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degeneration of the articular cartilage. When the intervertebral discs become thinner, they affect the nerve endings, which, in turn, cause spasms in the vessels. The vessels narrow and do not let through enough blood volume that the brain needs. There is a lack of oxygen, which has serious consequences. Therefore, you should not delay treatment, even if you have minor symptoms. The earlier treatment begins, the more effective the result will be. To get rid of osteochondrosis, an integrated approach is needed. It includes medication, physical education, massages, manual therapy procedures, physical therapy, and compliance with some dietary guidelines.
To get rid of this disease, you need to contact an experienced and professional neuropathologist. The treatment is long enough, it requires discipline and diligence on the part of the patient himself, but this is the only way to get relief and release from this obsessive pain.
Pharmacological treatment consists of the appointment of vasodilator drugs. They help oxygenate the brain and improve blood circulation in the body. It is possible to reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings with the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Also, the patient is prescribed vitamins to restore body tissues. Well, and, of course, painkillers, because it is simply impossible to live with such sensations. As local pain relief, various ointments and gels are prescribed, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic action.
Exercises against osteochondrosis.
- Tilt your head back and forth slowly and completely. Leaning forward, try to touch your chin to your chest. Repeat this movement 10 times.
- Make circular movements with your head. First 5 times in one direction, then 5 times in the other.
- Tilt your head slightly forward and place your forehead against your open palms. Press your head against your hands and lock this position for a few seconds. Repeat this exercise with the back of your neck.
- Take a chair and sit in it. Tilt your head back. Slowly turn your head to the right and return to the starting position. Then turn your head to the left. Do at least 10 reps on each side. The movements should not be abrupt, do everything without problems.
- Tilt your head to the right and to the left, trying to reach your shoulder with your ears. Then, on the contrary, raise the shoulders to the immobile head, first together and then alternately, then the right shoulder, then the left.
Massage in the fight against cervical osteochondrosis.
A professional massage gives amazing results after the first session. It is best to consult a specialist - chiropractor. It will stretch the muscles and order the vertebrae. After manual therapy sessions, the spinal muscles will be toned, blood circulation will improve, and the patient's motor skills will improve.
But to alleviate the condition, you can do the massage yourself at home.
- Sit on a chair or sofa and press your fingers against the back of your neck, along your spine. Rub the area up and down until you feel warm and even burning.
- Do the same in a circular motion. Stretch not only the neck, grip the back of the head to improve the permeability of blood in this area.
- Use your fingertips to touch the back of the neck.
- There is another effective remedy that doctors recommend. Fill a plastic bottle with water and place it under your neck. On your own or with assistance, try to roll this bottle by the neck, no hands.
I would like to point out that manual therapy and massage procedures cannot be performed with exacerbations of a pain symptom.
Physiotherapy in the treatment of osteochondrosis consists of the use of a special device that improves the permeability of nerve endings. Electrophoresis is also used.
Prevention of osteochondrosis.
To get rid of pain forever, you must try to change your life for the better. Play sports, go out into nature more often. Get into the habit of running regularly in the morning or walking at night. Quitting smoking is also bad for the spinal discs. Eat well, eliminate salt from your intake or at least keep it to a minimum.
To get rid of pain episodes, you must learn not to strain your neck. This means that you cannot read or watch television while lying down. When driving a car, do not turn your head too far to one side. If your job involves sitting for a long time in front of papers or a monitor, take regular breaks: get up, walk, do neck exercises. Pay attention to your workplace. The height of the table and chair should match so you don't have to hunch over and bend over papers while sitting.
A properly chosen place to sleep will help ensure a normal pain-free life. The bed should be flat and the mattress orthopedic. It is important to choose the pillow wisely, it should not be soft. The height of the pillow is determined by the distance from the neck to the shoulder. Only such a pillow will ensure the correct position of the body during sleep.
Osteochondrosis is not a disease that needs to be treated at home on your own. It is very important to classify the disease and exclude other deviations. This can only be done by a doctor. Therefore, when pain appears in the neck area, you can not pull with a trip to a specialist. And then you can suppress the disease at its root, in its own germ.