Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most common and 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 a major precursor to cervical spine osteochondrosis. Most modern professions are associated with sitting in front of a monitor for long periods of time. People lead a sedentary lifestyle for hours, days, and years, resulting in osteochondrosis. How to recognize this disease, what are the symptoms?
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
- Cervical back pain. Painful feelings are very long and painful. The pain usually worsens during sleep.
- If the disease is not treated, the pain becomes so severe and intrusive that the person becomes incapable. Pain is practically not reduced, only weakened or, conversely, intensified.
- 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 tremors. 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 wrists or hands. Painful sensations turn into tingling and even numbness 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 become thinner, they affect the nerve endings, causing the blood vessels to spasm. The arteries constrict and do not allow enough blood to pass through the brain. 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. Includes medication, physical education, massage, manual therapy procedures, physiotherapy, and adherence to certain dietary guidelines.
To get rid of this disease, you should contact an experienced and professional neurologist. The treatment is quite long, it requires discipline and diligence of the patient, but it is the only way to get relief and get rid of this obsessive pain.
Drug treatment consists of the appointment of vasodilator drugs. They help provide oxygen to the brain and improve blood circulation in the body. With the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, it is possible to reduce the sensitivity of the nerve endings. The patient is also given vitamins to restore the tissues in the body. Good and, of course, painkillers, because it is simply impossible to live with such feelings. Various ointments and gels with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects are prescribed to relieve local pain.
Exercises against osteochondrosis
- Slowly and turn your head back and forth until the end. Lean forward and try to touch your chin to your chest. Repeat this action 10 times.
- Make circular motions with your head. First 5 times in one direction, then 5 times in the other.
- Bend your head slightly forward and place your forehead on your open palms. Squeeze your head into your hands and lock in this position for a few seconds. Repeat with the back of your head.
- Take a chair and sit down. Turn your head back. Slowly turn your head to the right and return to the starting position. Then turn your head to the left. Repeat at least 10 times on each side. Movements should not be sharp, do everything smoothly.
- Turn your head left and right, trying to reach your shoulders with your ears. Then, on the contrary, first together, then in turn - then the right shoulder, then the left - lift your shoulders to your head motionless.
Massage to combat 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 line up the vertebrae. After manual treatment sessions, the spinal muscles will tone, blood circulation will improve and the patient's motor skills will improve.
But to alleviate the situation, you can do the massage yourself at home.
- Sit in a chair or sofa and keep your fingers pressed against the back of your neck along the vertebral column. Rub the area up and down until you feel hot and even burning.
- Do the same with the circular motion. To improve blood flow in this area, hold not only the neck, but also the back of the head.
- Use your fingertips to hit the back of the neck.
- There is another effective tool recommended by doctors. Fill a plastic bottle with water and place it under your neck. Try to roll this bottle around your neck by yourself or with your help, you have no hands.
I would like to note that massage and manual treatment procedures cannot be performed with the exacerbation of pain symptoms.
Physiotherapy in the treatment of osteochondrosis involves the use of a special device that improves the conduction 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. Do sports, go to nature more often. Get in the habit of running regularly in the morning or walking in the evening. Quitting smoking is also harmful to the discs of the spine. Eat right, eliminate the salt you take in, or at least minimize it.
You need to learn not to strain your neck to get rid of the pain. This means that you cannot read or watch TV while sleeping. When driving a car, do not tilt your head too far. If your job is to sit for a long time on documents or on a monitor, take regular breaks - get up, walk, do neck movements. Pay attention to your workplace. The height of the table and chair should be adjusted so that you do not bend over while sitting on the paper.
Properly chosen sleeping area will help you to ensure a normal life without pain. The bed should be flat, the mattress orthopedic. It is important to choose your 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 should be treated spontaneously at home. It is very important to classify the disease and exclude other deviations. Only a doctor can do that. Therefore, when there is pain in the neck, you can not go to a specialist and smoke. And then the disease can be suppressed at the root, in the germ.