Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most common and most common 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 a major harbinger of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Most modern professions are associated with prolonged sitting in front of a monitor. People lead a sedentary lifestyle for hours, days and years and as a result suffer from osteochondrosis. How to recognize this disease, what are the symptoms?
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
- Pain in the cervical spine. Painful feelings are quite long and painful. The pain usually gets worse when you lie down.
- If the disease is not treated, the pain becomes so strong and intrusive that the person becomes disabled. Painful sensations practically do not subside, but weaken or, conversely, become stronger.
- The pain may be accompanied by weakness, dizziness, nausea, and even vomiting. In advanced cases, osteochondrosis can cause loss of consciousness.
- One of the symptoms of the disease is tinnitus and a feeling of vibration. Osteochondrosis also affects blood pressure.
- Trembling in the body and dark circles under the eyes are not uncommon in osteochondrosis.
- Sometimes the pain can go to the forearms or hands. Painful sensations turn into tingling and stiffness 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 stop, they affect the nerve endings, which in turn leads to vasospasm. The vessels narrow and do not allow enough blood volume for the brain to pass through. Oxygen starvation occurs, which leads to serious consequences. Therefore, you should not delay treatment, even if you have minor symptoms. The sooner treatment is started, the more effective the result will be. An integrated approach is needed to get rid of osteochondrosis. It includes medication, physical education, massage, manual therapy procedures, physiotherapy and adherence to certain dietary rules.
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 of the patient himself, but it is the only way to alleviate and relieve this obsessive pain.
Drug 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 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Also, the patient is prescribed vitamins to renew the tissues in the body. Well, and, of course, painkillers, because it is simply impossible to live with such sensations. Various ointments and gels that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects have been prescribed to relieve local pain.
Exercises against osteochondrosis
- Tilt your head back and forth slowly and fully. Lean forward, try to touch your chin to your chest. Repeat this movement 10 times.
- Perform circular movements of the head. First 5 times in one direction and then 5 times in the other direction.
- Tilt your head slightly forward and place your forehead on your open palms. Press your head with your hands and lock yourself in this position for a few seconds. Repeat this exercise with the nape of the neck.
- Take a chair and sit on 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 sudden, do everything smoothly.
- Tilt your head to the right and left, trying to get your ears to your shoulders. Then, on the contrary, raise your shoulders towards the motionless head, first together, then alternately - then the right shoulder, then the left.
Massage in the fight against cervical osteochondrosis
Professional massage gives amazing results after the first session. It is best to consult a specialist - a chiropractor. It will stretch the muscles and bring the vertebrae in order. After a session of manual therapy, the spinal muscles will be toned, blood circulation will improve and the patient's motor skills will improve.
But to ease the condition, you can do the massage yourself at home.
- Sit on a chair or sofa and press your fingers to the back of the neck, along the spine. Rub the area up and down until it gets warm and even burns.
- Do the same in circular motions. Stretch not only the neck, grab the nape of the neck to improve blood permeability in this area.
- Tap the back of your neck with your fingertips.
- There is another effective remedy that doctors advise. Fill a plastic bottle with water and place it under the door. Alone or with help, try to roll this bottle around your neck, without your hands.
I would like to note that massage and manual therapy procedures cannot be performed with worsening pain symptoms.
Physiotherapy in the treatment of osteochondrosis consists in the use of a special apparatus that improves the patency of nerve endings. Electrophoresis is also used.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
To get rid of pain forever, you need to try to change your life for the better. Do sports, go out more often. Get in the habit of running regularly in the morning or walking in the evening. Smoking cessation is also harmful for spinal discs. Eat right, eliminate salt from your intake or at least reduce it.
To get rid of a pain attack, you need to learn not to strain your neck. This means you cannot read and watch TV while lying down. When driving a car, do not turn your head to the side too much. If your job involves sitting at a paper or monitor for a long time, take regular breaks - get up, walk, do neck exercises. Pay attention to your workplace. The height of the table and chair should be adjusted so that you do not have to bend and bend the papers while sitting.
Properly chosen sleeping place will help you ensure a normal life without pain. The bed should be flat and the mattress orthopedic. It is important to choose a pillow wisely - it should not be soft. The height of the pillow is determined by the distance from the neck to the shoulders. Only such a pillow will ensure the correct position of the body during sleep.
Osteochondrosis is not a disease that needs to be treated on its own at home. It is very important to classify the disease and rule out other deviations. Only a doctor can do that. Therefore, when there is pain in the neck area, you cannot withdraw the trip to a specialist. And then you can suppress the disease at its root, in its very germ.