What do a programmer, an accountant and a painter have in common?Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine!This disease significantly impairs a person’s quality of life and performance.Prolonged static or uncomfortable position of the head 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 limited movement in the neck.But no less often there is 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, decreased visual acuity and hearing impairment, sometimes nagging pain in the heart, a feeling of weakness and fatigue.Osteochondrosis of the spine is associated with degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs, which lose their elasticity and can be destroyed.Often, salts are deposited in the area of the intervertebral discs, and bone growths form, causing 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.He has a relatively weak muscular corset.At the same time, instability of the cervical spine in combination with constant physical activity (the need to support the head, control turns and bends) 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 more tightly to each other.Therefore, even 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 with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, hearing, vision, and coordination occur.In its advanced form, cervical osteochondrosis can lead to vertebral artery syndrome.The vertebral artery supplies blood to the medulla oblongata and cerebellum.When the artery is compressed, ischemia of the brain and spinal cord can develop, and a spinal stroke can occur.
Osteochondrosis of the neck leads to damage to the nerve roots - the formation of growths on the vertebrae, partial or complete loss of mobility.The most severe 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;
- Unfavorable environmental conditions;
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Work involving heavy lifting;
- Hereditary (genetic) predisposition;
- Metabolic disorders in the body, infections, intoxications;
- Overweight;
- Poor nutrition (lack of microelements, vitamins and fluids);
- Spinal injuries (bruises, fractures);
- Poor posture, curvature of the spine;
- Instability of spinal column segments;
- Work associated with frequent changes in body position (turns, flexion and extension, jerking);
- Prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position while standing, sitting, lying down, when lifting and carrying heavy objects, when performing any work that puts stress 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 while sleeping.
Why are orthopedic pillows needed?
An orthopedic pillow for cervical osteochondrosis is an indispensable thing, since it allows you to achieve complete relaxation of muscle fibers and avoid pinching of blood vessels, which leads to poor circulation.What should orthopedic pillows be like?Here are its 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 for a long time;
- Safe and hypoallergenic materials.
Let me explain a little.
- The cervical cushion carefully supports the head and creates proper support for the cervical vertebrae.The orthopedic pillow has 2 bolsters of different heights, for
different body positions, suitable for sleeping on both the back and side.A group of specialists developed a pillow design with a notch (one or two) under the shoulder to properly support the neck and head while sleeping - especially on the side.The shape with a recess 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 its shape is not lost, otherwise how will it “work”?
- Well, there’s nothing to explain about safe and hypoallergenic materials.The nose that comes into contact with the pillow should not inhale anything harsh, 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 mites, the main household allergen, love to live in ordinary feather and down pillows.
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 few places.Therefore, orthopedic pillows made of natural latex, which are found on our market, are much more expensive than polyurethane foam ones.In addition, latex can cause allergies.That's why we are in favor of polyurethane foam pillows with a “memory effect”.They have all four of these properties and, importantly, are cheaper than latex ones.
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 exercise in the gym;
- When working at the computer, take breaks of 5 minutes every hour.During breaks, walk, tilt your head and torso 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 back, which help to significantly reduce the load on the spine, can also come to the rescue).
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
These exercises will help both with existing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and as a preventive measure.For preventive purposes, exercises for cervical osteochondrosis can be performed in the evenings at home, but it is better to use short breaks from work for this (this is a recommendation for those who have a sedentary job).Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis does not take much time, but gives a positive result, and 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 performed slowly and smoothly, the muscles are not tense.Do five repetitions for each side.
Exercise 2.Sit up straight, face facing forward, chin slightly raised.Slowly and smoothly turn your head to the right - as much 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, while the palm should remain in the same place, that is, resist the pressure.When pressing with your head, you need to tense your neck muscles.Slowly count to yourself to 5 and relax.Repeat 3 times.
Exercise 4.The exercise is similar to exercise 3, only the palm (or two palms) needs to be placed on the back of the head and it is with it that you press on the palm.The tension must be maintained, counting to yourself 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 yourself to 5. Repeat 3 times.Then do the same, placing your left palm on your left temple - repeat 3 times.
Exercise 6.Sit up straight, tilt your head back slightly and then slowly, with tension, as if overcoming resistance, lower your head down, pressing your chin to your chest.Repeat 5 times.
Exercise 7.Sitting straight, lower your head down and slowly turn your head to the right and left - 5 times in each direction.At the same time, the head remains lowered.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis should not include rotation of the head without support from the hands, especially in those moments when the neck is tense and painful.
In severe cases, it is necessary to consult an orthopedic doctor.You may need to prescribe medication, massage therapy, and physical therapy.