Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most common problems on our planet, and it will affect everyone sooner or later. Considering the trend of modern lifestyle, the first signs of pathology may have appeared at a fairly early age (20-25 years), and there is no obvious reason. Usually the only symptoms are increased headaches and fatigue, which are often simply "hammered" into such "trivial things" in the crazy rhythm of life, clenching teeth without thinking about the reasons. The plastic surgeon described the cause of pain in his article and also talked about how to eliminate the cause of pain.
However, cervical osteochondrosis not only manifests as periodic headaches, but also causes more serious health problems: cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, hearing, vision, coordination problems, ischemic development (hypoxia)Head and spinal cord, spinal nerve root damage-radiculopathy, partial or complete loss of mobility.
The essence of the process is very simple-as time goes by, the huge load on the spine and the malnutrition of the intervertebral structure will cause the intervertebral disc to thin and destroy, and the vertebrae themselves will also reorganize, which will inevitably lead to the intervertebral discDestroy their function.
But all these terrible situations are preventable. First of all, this condition should not be regarded as a disease, but as a process of "wear and tear" of the spine. After all, everything has its own expiration date, whether it's a car, a phone or a favorite handbag. Therefore, at least care of the spine is required, and the same is true for favorite things. At the same time, please don’t forget that you can buy new things, but you cannot buy new "damaged" spine, nor can it be replaced within the warranty period. The most important thing is that cartilage tissue cannot be recovered, so the sooner you get to know osteochondrosis, the more you need to "become friends" with it. Even if he received the right treatment, he would remind himself from time to time.
Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis
There are many reasons that can easily be combined-the wrong way of life. Let us focus on the main risk factors for the development of this disease:
- a sedentary lifestyle;
- Stay in one position for a long time (muscle hypertonic development);
- Overweight;
- Unhealthy diet (lack of water and essential trace elements in the body);
- Excellent physical exercise and weightlifting;
- Wrong posture;
- Spinal injury;
- Genetic susceptibility.
After analyzing the causes, it is easy (at least on paper) to eliminate most of the risk factors in life-in fact, this is the main treatment. After all, drug therapy is a fight against the consequences of disease.
Although there are many discounts in the traditional medicine market, no special preventive medicine has been invented yet. Of course, various chondroprotective agents have clinical effects, but they can only be achieved after long-term and continuous use of the drug, and they are not very long-lasting. In fact, these drugs contain substances that make up the intervertebral discs. By taking them, we can only achieve "possible" improvements in the nutrition of these structures. All anti-inflammatory drugs can only eliminate the pain syndrome and make the patient's life easier without affecting the cause of these pains. Physical therapy is quite common, such as shock wave therapy, electrical phase therapy and magnetic therapy. In the extremely late stage, there may even be problems related to surgical treatment.
It should be noted separately that all these treatments are only possible after consulting a doctor!
In this case, self-medication is strictly prohibited-at best, you will only waste time, and at worst, you will only hurt yourself.
How to deal with this problem?
The first step is to change the word "combat" to the word "prevention". It includes ensuring the normal function and nutrition of the spine. It is worth noting that we are committed to the structure of the musculoskeletal system and diet.
Moreover, this work should be continuous and lifelong-this is the main guarantee for success.
The option "I do an exercise every six months" does not work! Permanently, it is possible and possible (preferably) to postpone the problem, in the worst case, the impact will be zero, and in your opinion, you are actively solving the problem.
1. Sports activities/sports activities
This is the first product to prevent spine wear. If you don't want the mechanism to rust and crash, you need to make it work. But work should also be moderate. We are talking about healthy loads (weight, functional training, stretching exercises, aerobic exercises), rather than hanging 100 kilograms of iron on ourselves and running on rough terrain.
2. Provide a normal amount of oxygen
It is almost impossible to do this in the city, but you should still walk around as often as possible, visit the forest park area, and regularly ventilate the room in the workplace (it is important to avoid hypothermia).
3. You cannot stay too long
Regardless of the field of employment, take short breaks every 40-50 minutes. When sitting for a long time, please take a walk while resting or do some simple exercises on the spot to relieve muscle tension and back strain.
If your career requires persistence, you need to sit down from time to time. It is important that when resting, the back should be straight and symmetrical as much as possible, and the feet should be on the floor.
4. Ergonomics
We must provide ourselves with the best working environment. We are not only talking about the work chair, but also the correct setting of the work monitor, the correct clothes and shoes, the number of jewelry on the neck, etc. One kilogram of jewelry worn for a long time will not have a positive effect. For your health.
When using the computer, the head should be straight, the hands should not be higher than the level of the elbows, and the tilt angle of the back when landing is 100-115 degrees-this position is considered the most physiological and can prevent muscle overwork.
5. Complex exercise therapy
Physical therapy exercises will help strengthen the corset and ligaments of the back muscles. We are specifically discussing exercise therapy, soft exercise every day (perhaps several times a day), where the muscles will not be overworked. Experts will help choose a set of preventive exercises for exercise therapy based on the stage of the disease.
Examples of the simplest complex to strengthen the neck muscles:
- Lie on your stomach and put your hands on the floor. Slowly raise your head and maintain this position for one minute. Return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise 3-4 times.
- Lie on your stomach, stretch your arms towards your body. Slowly rotate your head to the right. Return to the original position. Then turn the head to the left. Repeat the exercise 5 times in both directions.
- Sitting in a chair. As you exhale slowly, tilt your head forward so that it is as close to your chin as possible. Return to the starting position. As you inhale, slowly tilt your head back. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
- If your situation permits, perform the head rotation operation, 4 times clockwise and 4 times counterclockwise.
6. The particularity of the power supply
Improper diet can trigger the development of diseases, so you need to monitor your diet. It is necessary to reject or minimize the use of salt, sugar, candy and confectionery, and fatty foods. Malnutrition can lead to weight gain and increased pressure on the spine. The following foods must be present in the diet:
- Vegetables and fruits (source of vitamins);
- Cereals (energy);
- Meat and fish (source of protein and minerals);
- Dairy products (source of calcium and other essential trace elements);
- Foods rich in fiber (essential for the normal function of the intestine and metabolism);
- Products containing cartilage protective agents (improve the characteristics of cartilage tissue).
Monitor your fluid intake. You should drink 1. 5-2 liters of liquid every day. The lack of water in the body will adversely affect the body's metabolism and the state of all structures.
7. Proper sleep
The sleeping position must meet the following conditions:
The choice of mattress and pillow is equally important. When choosing bedding, you should rely on three signs:
8. Massage
The last one on the list, but the first in importance. An experienced massage therapist will not only ensure normal blood flow and oxygen supply to all structures of the spine, but also help correct spinal deformities and dysfunctions.
Prevention of osteochondrosis is lifelong. You must work hard to keep your back healthy for as long as possible, but as a result, you can not only keep your back healthy, but you can also keep your body healthy, because in fact the main recommendation is to live a healthy lifeLife style, help your body function normally and get “TO” treatment in time!