Cervical spondylosis, which was originally a health problem that was mostly seen in middle-aged and elderly people, has now become a common disease in social life. According to the latest statistics, the proportion of cervical spondylosis patients in mainland China is close to 20%, and the proportion of young patients under the age of 30 is rising, which shows that the age of onset of cervical spondylosis is showing the characteristics of youth.
With the popularity of smartphones and tablets, more and more people use these devices with their heads down for a long time, resulting in more and more young people, even some elementary school students, suffering from cervical spondylosis at an early age.
1
What are the symptoms of cervical spondylosis
Neck pain
This is the most common symptom and can be caused by muscle tension, ligament strain, or disc problems.
Pain in the shoulders and arms
When the nerve roots of the cervical spine are compressed, it can cause pain and numbness in the shoulders, arms, and even hands.
headache
Cervical spine lesions can affect nearby nerves, causing headaches, especially pain in the back of the neck and on the top of the head.
Vertigo and imbalance
Problems with the cervical spine can affect the function of the cerebellum, leading to vertigo and a decreased sense of balance.
Hand hemp
A herniated disc or other cervical spine lesion can compress the spinal nerves, causing numbness in the fingers.
Digestive problems
Cervical spine lesions may affect gastrointestinal function by affecting the sympathetic nervous system, leading to digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
2
People with a high incidence of cervical spondylosis
Long-term desk worker
Such as office white-collar workers, programmers, writers, draftsmen, etc., they keep their heads down or lean forward for a long time, which can easily lead to excessive fatigue and injury of the cervical spine.
driver
In particular, people who drive cars and motorcycles for a long time are prone to cervical spondylosis due to continuous vibration and fixed neck posture.
senior citizen
With age, the degenerative changes of the cervical spine intensify, the intervertebral disc water decreases, the elasticity decreases, and cervical spondylosis is predisposed.
People with bad lifestyle habits
People who often use mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets with their heads down, or who like massage and massage, increase the risk of cervical spine injuries due to frequent neck activities.
People with certain medical conditions
For patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, their metabolic abnormalities may indirectly affect the health of the cervical spine.
Specific occupational groups
For example, teachers, doctors, nurses, and other workers who need to stand for long periods of time or bend over and hunch over for long periods of time.
3
How to prevent cervical spondylosis
Maintain a correct sitting posture
When working or studying for long periods of time, maintain the natural curve of your spine, use ergonomic chairs and tables, and make sure your eyes are parallel to the computer screen.
Take regular breaks and activities
After every 45-60 minutes of work, get up and move for 5-10 minutes, stretch or walk around to relieve tension in the neck and shoulder muscles.
Neck exercises
Exercise your neck muscles regularly to increase their stability and strength, such as neck extension, rotation and lateral flexion.
Avoid bowing your head for long periods of time
Reduce the time spent using mobile phones, tablets and other devices to avoid cervical spine pressure caused by bowing your head for a long time.
Keep warm
Avoid neck cold, especially in the season when the temperature changes greatly, and pay attention to neck warmth.
Pillow selection
Use a pillow that suits the curvature of your neck and avoid pillows that are too high or too low to reduce the burden on your neck.