What do a programmer, an accountant and a painter have in common?Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine!This disease significantly affects a person's quality of life and performance.Prolonged static or uncomfortable head posture leads to changes in the bone tissue of the cervical vertebrae.Many patients with cervical osteochondrosis of the spine complain primarily of pain, dizziness and restricted movement in the neck.But no less often there are pain or numbness in the chest, arms, various parts of the head, tinnitus, nausea and the so-called cervical syndrome.
Other manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis (symptoms) are also possible: crunching and pain in the neck when turning or tilting the head, tingling in the arms or legs, burning between the shoulder blades, dizziness and even fainting when turning the head sharply, reduced visual acuity and hearing impairment, sometimes excruciating pain in the heart, a feeling of weakness and fatigue.Osteochondrosis of the spine involves degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs, which lose their elasticity and can be destroyed.Salts often accumulate in the area of the intervertebral discs and bone growths form, which lead to 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 that represents 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 intervertebral discs and is the most mobile part of the spine, providing the ability to tilt and turn the head.He has a relatively weak muscle corset.At the same time, the instability of the cervical spine in combination with constant physical activity (the need to support the head, control twists and bends) explains the high susceptibility of this part of the spine to both injuries and degenerative changes, which are essentially osteochondrosis.
The small neck region contains many nerve channels and blood vessels that supply the brain.In the neck area the vertebrae are closer together.Therefore also with
A small change in one of the vertebrae causes compression or displacement of nerves and blood vessels.Due to cerebral circulatory disorders, migraines, vegetative-vascular dystonia and hypertension, problems arise in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, hearing, vision and coordination.In its advanced form, cervical osteochondrosis can lead to vertebral artery syndrome.The vertebral artery supplies blood to the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum.If the artery is compressed, ischemia of the brain and spinal cord may develop and a spinal stroke may 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 a timely manner.
The main reasons for the early development of cervical osteochondrosis:
- flat feet;
- Unfavorable environmental conditions;
- lack of exercise;
- working with heavy lifting;
- Hereditary (genetic) predisposition;
- Metabolic disorders in the body, infections, poisoning;
- obesity;
- Poor nutrition (lack of microelements, vitamins and fluid);
- Spinal injuries (bruises, fractures);
- Poor posture, curvature of the spine;
- instability of spinal segments;
- work associated with frequent changes in posture (twisting, flexion and extension, jerking);
- Prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position when standing, sitting, lying down, lifting and carrying heavy objects, performing work that puts strain on the cervical spine and the spine as a whole;
- Excessive physical activity with an undeveloped musculoskeletal system;
- Nervous tension, stress;
- hypothermia;
- Using the wrong pillows when sleeping.
Why are orthopedic pillows needed?
An orthopedic pillow for cervical osteochondrosis is indispensable because it allows you to achieve complete relaxation of muscle fibers and avoid pinching of blood vessels, which leads to poor blood circulation.What should orthopedic pillows be like?Here are his signs:
- The presence of an anatomical shape (a roller or rollers, a special recess for the shoulder);
- elasticity of the material;
- The ability to maintain its shape over a long period of time;
- Safe and hypoallergenic materials.
Let me explain this briefly.
- The neck pillow carefully supports the head and ensures proper support for the cervical vertebrae.The orthopedic pillow has 2 neck rolls of different heights, e.g
Different body positions, suitable for sleeping on your back and side.A group of specialists have developed a pillow design with one or two notches under the shoulder to properly support the neck and head when sleeping, especially on the side.The shape with a cutout for the shoulder helps you find a comfortable position and keep your spine straight. - The elasticity of a material is the ability of a material to regain its shape after pressure.
- It is very important that after sleeping on a pillow it does not lose its shape, 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 should not inhale aggressive, chemical or harmful substances.Otherwise, at best we will wake up with a headache and at worst we will suffer
Allergies.Incidentally, house mites, the main allergen in the household, like to live in ordinary feather and down pillows.
The first three of these properties are possessed by two materials: polyurethane foam and latex.You are familiar with latex from latex gloves, condoms and nipples.It is obtained from the sap of the Hevea rubber plant, which only grows in a few places.Therefore, the orthopedic pillows made of natural latex available on our market are significantly more expensive than those made of polyurethane foam.In addition, latex can cause allergies.That's why we rely on polyurethane foam cushions with a “memory effect”.They have all four of these properties and, above all, are cheaper than latex products.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Recommendations:
- Sleep on an orthopedic memory foam pillow (pillow selection is individual);
- Take a hot 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 a 5-minute break every hour.During breaks, walk and tilt your head and upper body in different directions.
- When sitting at a table or computer, keep your head and back straight;
- Choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine (orthopedic seat cushions in the shape of a square or ring under the backrest, which help to significantly reduce the load on the spine, can also help).
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
These exercises help both with existing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and as a preventive measure.For prevention, exercises for cervical osteochondrosis can be performed at home in the evening, but it is better to use short breaks from work for this (this is a recommendation for people with sedentary jobs).Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis does not take much time, but gives a positive result quite quickly.
Exercise 1.Sit up straight, tilt your head back and try to reach your right ear with your right shoulder, then return to the starting position.The exercise is carried out slowly and evenly, the muscles are not tense.Do five reps for each side.
Exercise 2.Sit up straight, facing forward, chin slightly raised.Slowly and steadily 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 onto it, keeping your palm in the same place, resisting the pressure.When you press with your head, you need to tense 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) must be placed on the back of the head and the palm is pressed with it.The tension must be maintained by counting to 5 to yourself.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 pressed against the palm.The tension must be maintained by counting to 5 to yourself.Repeat 3 times.Then do the same and place your left palm on your left temple - repeat the process three times.
Exercise 6.Sit upright, tilt your head back slightly, and then slowly and tensely, as if overcoming resistance, lower your head down and press your chin to your chest.Repeat 5 times.
Exercise 7.Sitting straight, lower your head and slowly turn it right and left - five times in each direction.At the same time, the head remains bowed.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis should not involve turning the head without support from the hands, especially in moments when the neck is tense and painful.
In severe cases, consultation with an orthopedist is required.You may need to prescribe medication, massage therapy, and physical therapy.