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 warning sign of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Most modern professions are associated with prolonged sitting in front of the monitor. For hours, days and years, people lead sedentary lives and, as a result, suffer from osteochondrosis. How to recognize this disease, what are the symptoms?
<1_img_centerxx>Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
- Pain in the cervical spine. Painful sensations are quite long and painful. The pain usually gets worse when you are lying down.
- If the disease is not treated, the pain becomes so intense and intrusive that the person becomes incapacitated. Painful sensations practically do not disappear, only weaken or, on the contrary, become stronger.
- The pain may 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 a feeling of vibration. Osteochondrosis also affects blood pressure.
- Tremors in the body and dark circles in front of the eyes are not uncommon with osteochondrosis.
- Sometimes the pain can go to the forearms or hands. The painful sensations turn into tingling and even numbness in the limbs.
How to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is degeneration of the articular cartilage. When the intervertebral discs become thinner, they affect the nerve endings, which in turn cause the vessels to spasm. The vessels constrict and do not allow enough blood to pass through to the brain. Oxygen deprivation occurs, which leads to serious consequences. Therefore, you should not delay treatment even if you have minor symptoms. The earlier the 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, physiotherapy and observance of certain dietary rules.
To get rid of this disease, you need to contact an experienced and professional neuropathologist. The treatment is long enough, it takes discipline and diligence on the part of the patient himself, but it is the only way to get relief and release from this obsessive pain.
Drug treatment consists in 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. In addition, the patient is prescribed vitamins to restore the tissues of the body. Well, and, of course, pain relievers, because it is simply impossible to live with such sensations. To relieve local pain, various ointments and gels are prescribed, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic action.
Exercises for osteochondrosis
- Tilt your head back and forth slowly and fully. 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. Rest your head on your hands and lock this position for a few seconds. Repeat this exercise with the back of your head.
- 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 gently.
- Tilt your head to the right and left, trying to reach your shoulder with your ears. Then, on the contrary, raise the shoulders to the still head, first together, then alternately - then the right shoulder, then the left.
Massage in the fight against cervical osteochondrosis
A professional massage gives amazing results from the first session. It is better to consult a specialist - a chiropractor. It will stretch the muscles and put the vertebrae in order. After the manual therapy sessions, the muscles of the spine will tone, blood circulation will improve, and the patient's motor skills will improve.
But to relieve the disease, you can do the massage yourself at home.
- Sit on a chair or sofa and press your fingers against the back of the neck, along the spine. Rub the area from top to bottom until you feel hot and even burning.
- Do the same in a circular motion. Stretch not only the neck, grasp the back of the head to improve the permeability of blood in this area.
- Use your fingers to pat the back of the neck.
- There is another effective remedy that doctors advise. Fill a plastic bottle with water and place it under your neck. Alone or with help, try rolling this bottle with your neck, without your hands.
I would like to note that massage and manual therapy 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. Make a habit of running regularly in the morning or walking in the evening. Quitting smoking is also harmful to the discs in the spine. Eat well, eliminate salt from your intake, or at least keep it to a minimum.
To get rid of pain attacks, you must learn not to strain your neck. This means that you cannot read and watch TV while lying down. When driving a car, do not turn your head too far to the side. If your job involves sitting in front of newspapers or a 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 slouch and bend over papers when seated.
A well-chosen place to sleep will help ensure a normal pain-free life. The bed should be flat and the mattress should be orthopedic. It is important to choose your pillow wisely - it should not be soft. The height of the pillow is determined by the distance between the neck and the shoulder. Only such a pillow will ensure the correct position of the body during sleep.
Osteochondrosis is not a disease that has 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 in the neck area appears, you can not go to a specialist. And then you can remove the disease from its root, its very germ.