Imagine you're enjoying a sunny afternoon and suddenly a wave of vertigo hits you and you can't focus on the scenery in front of you. You try to turn your neck and find a comfortable position, but tight muscles make this simple movement difficult. It's not just a momentary discomfort, it's a daily challenge that comes with cervical spondylosis. For many middle-aged and elderly people, this has become a reality that they have to face.
Overview of Cervical Spondylosis: "The Invisible Burden"
Cervical spondylosis: not just a disease of the neck
Cervical spondylosis, a term that is not new to the medical community, describes a series of diseases that occur in the cervical spine, that is, the vertebrae in our neck. The cervical spine is a critical structure that supports the head and connects the body, but it is also very fragile and vulnerable to injury. Prolonged poor posture, aging or accidental injuries can cause structural changes in the cervical spine, which in turn can affect the nerves, muscles and even blood supply to the neck.
Cause: Accumulation of lifestyle habits
The occurrence of cervical spondylosis is often the result of multiple factors. Degeneration of cervical discs is inevitable as we age, but poor posture in life, such as using a mobile phone with your head down for long periods of time, and incorrect sitting posture, can accelerate this process. In addition, lack of exercise, muscle strength imbalance can also cause additional stress on the cervical spine, leading to the occurrence of the condition.
Common type: Know the enemy
There are various types of cervical spondylosis, but they can be divided into the following categories:
Cervical disc herniation: When the material of the cervical disc is herniated, it may compress the surrounding nerve roots or spinal cord, causing symptoms such as pain and numbness in the hands and feet.
Cervical radiculopathy: Mainly caused by compression of nerve roots by bone spurs in the cervical vertebrae, symptoms include neck and shoulder pain and arm numbness.
Cervical spondylosis myelopathy: In more severe cases, deformed or herniated discs in the cervical spine compress the spinal cord, which may cause weakness in the hands and feet and difficulty walking.
Understanding the types and causes of cervical spondylosis is the first step in developing an effective treatment plan. Each type of cervical spondylosis has its own specific treatment, ranging from conservative treatments such as medication and physiotherapy, to surgical treatment, depending on the severity of the condition and the specific manifestations of the symptoms.
Physiological mechanism: The close connection between the cervical spine and the body
The cervical spine is not just a structure that supports the head, its health directly affects the nerves and blood vessels in the neck and upper limbs. Each part of the cervical spine is associated with a specific body part, and diseases of the cervical spine can cause a variety of symptoms such as dizziness, shoulder pain, and numbness in the arms. For example, certain lesions of the cervical spine can affect the normal flow of blood to the carotid or vertebral arteries, causing insufficient blood supply to the head, manifested by dizziness or blurred vision.
Decoding the "invisible killer" behind cervical spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis, a common disease in middle-aged and elderly people, is not just about neck pain. It can affect our dizziness, neck stiffness, and even vision clarity through a complex series of physiological pathways. When cervical spondylosis attacks, nerves or blood vessels in the neck may be compressed, and this compression effect can be transmitted to the brain, causing blood circulation to be blocked, causing dizziness and blurred vision. At the same time, the neck muscles may develop an excessive tension response to protect the damaged cervical spine, further exacerbating the symptoms.
Self-adjustment in everyday life
A "cervical-friendly" lifestyle
Adjust the working and living environment
Correct sitting posture: Keeping your head down or tilted up for long periods of time is a common cause of cervical spondylosis. Make sure you sit in an upright posture and place the computer screen at eye level or slightly lower to reduce the burden on your neck.
Take regular breaks: Every 45 minutes of work, you should get up and move your neck and perform gentle neck stretches to promote blood circulation.
Sleeping position adjustment: Use a moderate pillow, neither too high nor too low, to maintain the natural curve of the cervical spine and reduce neck pressure during sleep.
Diet combined with exercise
Nutritionally balanced: Increase your intake of foods rich in trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, such as milk, soy products, and green leafy vegetables to strengthen bones and muscles.
Regular exercise: Light to moderate aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, and yoga, can increase the strength and flexibility of the neck muscles and reduce the burden on the cervical spine.
Self-massage and warm compresses
Gentle massage: Using your fingers to gently massage the neck and shoulders, especially the back and sides of the cervical spine, can relieve muscle tension.
Warm compress therapy: When the neck muscles are tense or painful, use a hot water bottle for 15-20 minutes to help improve blood circulation and relieve symptoms.
Explore professional therapies
For complex symptoms caused by cervical spondylosis, lifestyle modifications alone may not be sufficient to completely address the problem. It is advisable to explore options such as physiotherapy, TCM acupuncture or, if necessary, medication under the guidance of a medical professional. Physical therapy, including but not limited to traction therapy, electrotherapy, and heat and cold therapy, is designed to reduce symptoms and restore cervical spine function. TCM acupuncture stimulates specific acupuncture points to relieve muscle tension and promote blood circulation.