Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathological change in the tissues of the intervertebral discs and the vertebrae themselves. As a result, the soft tissues become thinner and the cushioning effect of the vertebrae decreases. Compression of blood vessels and nerve fibers occurs and the mobility of the cervical spine decreases.
Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most dangerous localizations of osteochondrosis, as the blood supply to the brain deteriorates as a result of this disease.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
As a result, the normal functioning of the cervical spine is disrupted, its mobility is reduced and neck pain occurs. Cervical osteochondrosis can cause deterioration of blood flow to the brain, migraines, heart rhythm disorders, impaired vision, coordination and attention, and the development of an intervertebral hernia.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The disease is characterized by sharp pain in the neck, radiating to the back of the head, shoulder blade and forearm. The pain may worsen when moving the head or in certain positions. As a result of the pain syndrome and the inflammatory process, the cervical muscles are overloaded. Patients often have migraines, decreased hearing and vision acuity, dizziness, tinnitus, sudden changes in blood pressure, fainting. A symptom of cervical osteochondrosis may be a violation of the sensitivity of the fingertips.
Types of osteochondrosis
The localization distinguishes cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and general osteochondrosis. The most commonly diagnosed are lumbar osteochondrosis (over 50% of cases), cervical (more than 25%) and widespread (about 12%).
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Parents often say a common phrase addressed to children: "Do not turn your head! " Doctors call for the opposite: "Do not forget to turn your head. " Any age. Only in this way you can avoid a dangerous disease - osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
The neck is designed by nature not only to hold the head and turn it in different directions, which, incidentally, over the years for untrained people who do not care about their health, becomes quite a difficult issue. The spinal cord, the arteries that feed the brain, the nerve roots, and the trunks that make the neural connection to the arms, heart, and lungs, pass through the neck.
The complaints of this type of osteochondrosis are very diverse: heart pain, headache, dizziness with short-term loss of consciousness (due to disturbances in the blood supply to the brain), pain in the shoulder joint or throughout the arm.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The pain that occurs from time to time in the thoracic spine is familiar to anyone who engages in heavy physical labor. As a rule, these painful, unpleasant sensations serve as the first sign that the body is beginning to develop a rather unpleasant disease - osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. Often this disease affects people from the so-called sedentary professions: designers, computer operators, car drivers.
But it is not necessary at all, even if you drag heavy objects every day or have to sit at your desk for a long time, to have osteochondrosis.
A reliable barrier to the disease is proper posture. When walking, try to keep your back straight, shoulders straight. To form a posture, as you understand, it is necessary from an early age. But you can do this at 30 or 40 years old. Indeed, better late than never!
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
At first there is dull pain in the lumbar region and in the legs, then there is usually tingling in the limbs, a significant increase in pain with sudden movements of the body, with shaking.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis are usually related to the aging of the body and age-related tissue changes. However, lifestyle and related factors increase the risk of developing the disease. They include:
- low physical activity, sedentary work;
- overweight and unhealthy diet;
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system: flat feet, rheumatism, scoliosis, posture disorders;
- neck or nape injuries.
In addition, osteochondrosis can be caused by other diseases of the spine. The spine is a whole and it must also be treated comprehensively. Therefore, the first thing to do if you suspect osteochondrosis is to undergo a complete examination of the spine.
Osteochondrosis is a disease of the cartilaginous surfaces of the bones of the musculoskeletal system, mainly the spine (as well as the hip and knee joints). Osteochondrosis has four stages of development.
To understand the nature of this disease, it is necessary to understand at least in general terms the structure of the spine. The vertebrae are connected to each other by connections and intervertebral discs. The holes in the vertebrae form the canal in which the spinal cord is located; its roots, containing sensory nerve fibers, extend between each pair of vertebrae. When the spine is bent, the intervertebral discs are slightly compacted on the side of the slope and their nuclei are displaced in the opposite direction. Simply put, the intervertebral discs are shock absorbers that soften the pressure on the spine under stress.
Mass morbidity is mainly related to the vertical position of a person, in which the load on the spine and intervertebral discs is much greater than in animals. If you do not learn how to sit, stand, lie down, then the disc will lose the ability to perform its function (cushioning) and after a while the outer shell of the disc will crack and hernial protrusions will form. They compress the blood vessels (leading to impaired spinal circulation) or the roots of the spinal cord, and in rare cases the spinal cord itself. These changes are accompanied by painful sensations and reflex tension of the back muscles.
According to statistics, almost every second person aged 25 to 55 suffers from osteochondrosis. But mostly people start to feel the manifestations of osteochondrosis after 35 years. The development and exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the spine is facilitated by static and dynamic overload, as well as vibration.
This can be caused by:
- work associated with frequent changes in the position of the trunk - flexion and extension, turns, sudden movements
- lifting heavy loads,
- improper posture when standing, sitting, lying down and when carrying weights,
- physical education and sports, without taking into account the impact of heavy physical exertion,
- adverse weather conditions - low temperature with high humidity.
But it cannot be said that if you follow exactly all the instructions, then osteochondrosis will not endanger you. Ultimately, the cause of this disease can be traumatic injuries.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment is prescribed after examination. The doctor collects the anamnesis and refers the patient for examination. Most often - for magnetic resonance imaging. Once they determine the exact cause of the disease, they begin treatment.
In the acute period, the doctor prescribes painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. In the period of remission - physiotherapy procedures - massage, kinesitherapy, shock wave therapy, physiotherapy exercises. These methods are aimed at strengthening the muscular corset, relieving tension and preventing attacks of the disease.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
- Get regular checkups.The disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Annual examinations will identify the disease at an early stage and cure it before it progresses to a more severe stage.
- Take care of your posture.Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed. If you work a lot on a computer or desk, choose a comfortable chair, sit properly and warm up every half hour or hour of work.
- Lead an active lifestyle.Walk more, be outdoors, play sports, swimming is especially useful.
- Use an orthopedic pillow while you sleep.
Osteochondrosis and its prevention
Taking care of one's own health is the immediate responsibility of everyone; he has no right to transfer it to others. After all, it often happens that a person with the wrong lifestyle, bad habits, physical inactivity, overeating by the age of 20-30 can lead to a catastrophic condition. As perfect as the medicine is, it cannot save everyone from all diseases. Man is the creator of his own health, for which he must fight. From an early age it is necessary to lead an active lifestyle, temperament, exercise and sports, to follow the rules of personal hygiene - in short, to achieve in a reasonable way a true harmony of health.
Exercise for a long time is a reliable prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Here are some exercises to prevent this type of osteochondrosis:
- Press your forehead into your palm and tighten the neck muscles. Do the exercise 3 times in 7 seconds. Then press the nape of your neck on the palm of your hand also 3 times for 7 seconds.
- Tighten the neck muscles, press with the left temple on the left palm (3 times in 7 seconds), then press on the right palm with the right temple (3 times in 7 seconds).
- Tilt your head back slightly. Overcoming the resistance of the tense muscles of the neck, press your chin to the jugular fossa. Do the exercise at least 5 times.
- Keep your head and shoulders straight. Slowly turn your head as far to the right as possible (5 times). Perform the left movement the same number of times.
- Lower your chin to your neck. Turn your head first 5 times to the right and then 5 times to the left.
- Throw your head back. Try touching your right ear to your right shoulder (5 times). Perform the same movement, trying to touch the left shoulder with the left ear (5 times).
It is recommended to include these exercises in the morning hygiene exercises, as well as to perform them during the working day. You can do them both sitting and standing. Under no circumstances, however, should you make circular rotating movements with your head. This can lead to injury.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
If you regularly perform the exercises (listed below), which develop and maintain the tone of the muscles of the back and abdomen, ensuring normal mobility of all segments of the thoracic spine, then osteochondrosis will not overcome you.
- I. p. - standing; as you inhale, stand up straight, arms down, legs together. Extend your arms up - exhale. Lean back and take a deep breath. Then lower your arms, lean forward, slightly round your back, lower your shoulders and head - exhale. Repeat 8-10 times.
- I. p. - sitting on a chair. Put your hands behind your head - inhale, lean back as much as possible 3 - 5 times, resting the shoulder blades on the back of the chair - exhale.
- I. p. - Get on all fours. Bend your back as much as possible and hold for 2-3 seconds in this position. Keep your head upright. Return to i. p. and repeat the same exercise 5 to 7 times.
- I. p. - Lie on your stomach and put your hands on the floor. Force yourself back as much as possible, trying to pull your body off the floor.
- I. p. - lying on his stomach, hands on his body. Lean into the thoracic spine, trying to raise your head and legs as much as possible.
These exercises, which relieve stress on the thoracic spine, are recommended to be performed throughout the day during short breaks from work. In exercises 3 to 5, breathing is random. Do the 4th and 5th exercise 5-8 times. These exercises can be included in the morning exercises. It is very useful to perform a few movements after work. The main thing is that you do the preventive complex every day, after which you will be reliably insured against osteochondrosis.
How to sit properly
- avoid too soft furniture - this is not for you. So that the body weight does not put excessive pressure on the spine, the body must be supported by the sciatic tubercles and this is only possible with rigid seats.
- the following requirements are imposed on the furniture on which you have to sit for a long time: the height of the chair, the chair must correspond to the length of the lower leg - the foot must lie on the floor; for short people it is recommended to replace the bench under their feet; the maximum depth of the seat is approximately 2/3 of the length of the thighs.
- there should be enough legroom under the table so that they do not have to bend too much.
- if you have to sit for a long time, try every 15 to 20 minutes. warm up a bit, change the position of the legs.
- make sure your back is snug against the back of the chair.
- sit up straight without tilting your head too much or bending your torso so as not to strain your body muscles.
- If by the nature of your activity you have to read for a long time every day, make a table device (music stand) that keeps the book at a sufficient height and inclined to the table so that you do not have to tilt your upper body forward.
- while driving a car, try to sit still. It is important that the back is well maintained. To do this, place a thin cushion between the lower back and the back of the chair, which will keep the lumbar bend. Keep your head upright. After a few hours of driving, get out of the car and do basic gymnastic exercises: turns, bends, squats - 8-10 times each.
- in front of the TV screen, do not sit or lie in one position for a long time. Change it periodically, get up to stretch. We sat for 1-1, 5 hours, sat back in a chair or stool, relaxed our muscles, took a few deep breaths.
How to stand properly
When a person stands for a long time, the spine experiences significant stress, especially in the lumbar region.
- change position every 10-15 minutes while leaning on one or the other leg, this will reduce the load on the spine.
- if possible, walk on the spot, move.
- from time to time lean back, stretching your arms up, take a deep breath. This can to some extent relieve fatigue from the muscles of the shoulder girdle, neck, nape, back.
- if you wash dishes, iron linen, place one or the other leg on a small bench or box. For people with osteochondrosis, it is better to iron while sitting or placing the ironing board so that you do not have to bend low.
- while cleaning the apartment, working with a vacuum cleaner, also try not to bend low, it is better to extend the hose with additional pipes. When cleaning under the bed, kneel on one knee under the table.
- to pick up an object from the floor, squat or bend with your knees bent and resting your hand on a chair or table. This way you do not overload the lumbar spine.
How to lie correctly
It is better to sleep not on a soft bed, but not on boards. The bed should be semi-rigid so that the body, when lying on its back, maintains physiological curves (cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis). About this:
- place a shield over the entire width of the bed or sofa and on top of a thick foam rubber 5-8 cm thick. Cover it with a woolen blanket and put a sheet.
- when the pain is in the leg, you can put a blanket under the knee joint - this reduces the stretching of the sciatic nerve and relieves pain in the leg.
- when their back hurts, many patients prefer to sleep on their stomachs. Place a small pillow under your lower abdomen to prevent the lower back from bending too much, causing even more pain.
- sleep lovers on the side can sleep with one foot on the other and with his hand under his head.
Getting out of bed in the morning for patients with acute osteochondrosis can be very difficult. Do this:
- first do a few simple exercises for arms and legs;
- then, if you sleep on your back, roll over on your stomach;
- lower one foot to the floor;
- leaning on this leg and arms, transfer your body weight to the knee and gradually get up without making sudden movements.
And one more tip. For those who like a bath, dry steam (sauna) is preferable and during the exacerbation the sauna will have to be abandoned.
How to properly lift and move weights
One of the main reasons for exacerbation of osteochondrosis and the formation of herniation of the intervertebral disc, especially in the lumbosacral region, is lifting and carrying heavy loads. Acute, unexpected pain in the lower back in cases where the weights are lifted abruptly, with pulling, and then a heavy object is moved to the side as the body turns.
How to properly carry weights
- Do not carry a heavy load in one hand, especially over long distances, so as not to overload the spine, separate the load and carry it in both hands. It is unacceptable to hold a weight, bend sharply and bend (bend back).
- it is generally undesirable for a patient with osteochondrosis to lift and carry weights over 15 kg. We advise you to buy a stroller or a bag on wheels.
- the backpack with wide straps is very convenient for carrying heavy loads over long distances. The weight of the full backpack is distributed on the weight of the spine, and the hands remain free.
How to lift weights properly
- wear, if you have, a weight belt or a wide belt;
- squat down until your back is straight, neck straight;
- grabbing a weight with both hands, stand up without bending your back.
Finally, the most important piece of advice. If there is sharp pain in any part of the spine, you should not treat yourself with pills and ointments. Seek help from a qualified neurologist - you need to make an accurate diagnosis, relieve pain and develop a plan for further treatment.