What do programmers, accountants and painters have in common?Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine!This disease significantly impairs a person's quality of life and performance.A long-term static or uncomfortable position of the head leads to changes in the bone tissue of the neck vertebrae.Many patients with cervical osteochondrosis of the spine complain primarily of pain, dizziness and limited movement in the neck.But pain or numbness in the chest, arms, various parts of the head, tinnitus, nausea and the so-called occur no less often.cervical syndrome.
Other manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis (symptoms) are possible: creaking and pain in the neck when turning or tilting the head, tingling in the hands or feet, burning between the shoulder blades, dizziness and even fainting when suddenly turning the head, reduced visual acuity and hearing impairment, sometimes weakness and weakness in the heart and hearing.Osteochondrosis of the spine is associated with degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs, which lose elasticity and can be destroyed.Often, salts are deposited in the area of the intervertebral discs and bony growths are formed that cause pain due to pinched 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.
Osteochondrosis of the neck 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.It has a relatively weak muscular corset.At the same time, the instability of the cervical spine in combination with constant physical activity (need for head support, control of turns and bending) 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 canals and blood vessels that supply the brain.In the cervical region, the vertebrae fit together more tightly.Therefore, even with
A small change in one of the vertebrae causes compression or displacement of nerves and blood vessels.Due to disorders of cerebral circulation, migraine, vegetovascular dystonia and hypertension, problems with the cardiovascular and respiratory system, hearing, vision and coordination occur.In an advanced form, cervical osteochondrosis can lead to vertebral artery syndrome.The vertebral artery supplies blood to the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum.When an artery is compressed, brain and spinal cord ischemia can occur, and spinal stroke can also occur.
Osteochondrosis of the neck leads to damage to the nerve roots - formation of growths 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;
- Adverse environmental conditions;
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Works involving heavy lifting;
- Hereditary (genetic) predisposition;
- Metabolic disorders in the body, infections, intoxications;
- Excessive weight;
- Poor nutrition (lack of microelements, vitamins and fluids);
- Spine injuries (bruises, fractures);
- Poor posture, curvature of the spine;
- Instability of spinal column segments;
- Work associated with frequent changes in body position (turns, flexions and extensions, jerks);
- Prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position while standing, sitting, lying down, when lifting and carrying heavy objects, when performing any work that burdens 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 needed?
An orthopedic pillow for cervical osteochondrosis is an indispensable thing, because it allows you to achieve complete relaxation of muscle fibers and avoid constriction of blood vessels, which leads to poor circulation.What should orthopedic pillows be like?Here are his signs:
- The presence of an anatomical shape (roller or rollers, especially the recess for the shoulder);
- Material elasticity;
- Ability to maintain shape for a long time;
- Safe and hypoallergenic materials.
Let me explain a little.
- The neck pillow carefully supports the head and creates appropriate support for the cervical vertebrae.The orthopedic pillow has 2 supports of different heights, for
different body positions, suitable for sleeping both on the back and on the side.A group of experts has developed a pillow design with a notch (one or two) under the shoulders to properly support the neck and head while sleeping - especially on the side.The shape with a shoulder recess helps you find a comfortable position and keeps 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 the pillow does not lose its shape after sleeping, 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 sharp, 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 allergen in the household, like to live in ordinary pillows made of feathers and down.
The first three of these 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 rubber plant Hevea, which grows in several places.Therefore, orthopedic pillows made of natural latex, which are available on our market, are significantly more expensive than polyurethane foam.In addition, latex can cause allergies.That's why we advocate polyurethane foam pillows with a "memory effect".They have all four of these qualities and, importantly, are cheaper than latex ones.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Recommendations:
- Sleep on an orthopedic memory foam pillow (pillow selection is individual);
- Take a warm shower for 10 minutes;
- Swimming, yoga, walking more;
- Avoid sudden head movements;
- Avoid heavy loads on the spine or significantly reduce the number of such activities: running, jumping, strenuous exercises in the gym;
- When working at the computer, take 5-minute breaks every hour.During breaks, walk, tilt your head and trunk in different directions;
- When sitting at a desk or computer, keep your head and back straight;
- Choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine (orthopedic seat cushions in the form of a square or ring under the back can also help, which significantly reduce the load on the spine).
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
These exercises will help with existing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and as a preventive measure.For preventive purposes, exercises for cervical osteochondrosis can be performed in the evening at home, but for this it is better to use 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 quite quickly.
Exercise 1.Sit up straight, throw your head back and try to reach your right ear with your right shoulder, then return to the starting position.The exercise is performed slowly and smoothly, the muscles are not tense.Do five repetitions for each side.
Exercise 2.Sit upright, face forward, chin slightly raised.Slowly and smoothly 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 on it, and your palm should stay in the same place, that is, resist the pressure.When you press with your head, you must tighten 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) need to be placed on the back of the head and pressed on 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 should be placed on the right temple, and the head should be pressed against the palm.The tension must be maintained, counting to 5. Repeat 3 times.Then do the same, place the left palm on the left temple - repeat 3 times.
Exercise 6.Sit up straight, slightly throw your head back, and then slowly, with tension, as if overcoming resistance, lower your head down, rest your chin on 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 down.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis should not include rotation of the head without the support of the hands, especially in those moments when the neck is tense and painful.
In more severe cases, a consultation with an orthopedist is necessary.You may need to prescribe medication, massage therapy, and physical therapy.