As the weather gets colder, it's important to keep your neck warm to prevent cervical spondylosis, which can easily be triggered by exposure to cold.
A cold neck can trigger cervical spondylosis.
With the popularization of electronic office work, long hours of desk work have made cervical spondylosis one of the common diseases of modern people. Cervical spondylosis is a common disease with an incidence rate of 3.8% to 10%. Generally, men and women over 30 are more prone to cervical spondylosis because the cervical intervertebral discs in this age group have begun to age and degenerate. On this basis, the addition of some common factors can lead to cervical spondylosis.
Some lifestyle habits can also cause cervical spondylosis. For example, people who often work with their heads down or up, or have a habit of looking down, often keep their necks in a flexed or extended position. This causes excessive fatigue in the neck muscles, making them susceptible to cervical spondylosis.
In addition, a cold neck and repeated "stiff neck" can cause neck muscles to spasm, which is also an important factor in the onset of cervical spondylosis. Therefore, in the autumn and winter, if the weather is cold, it is best to keep your neck warm. Specifically, you can wear a scarf during the day, and apply a hot water bag to your neck at night. Avoid wearing clothes with very low necklines.
Exercise therapy is not suitable during the acute phase of the disease.
Many people suffer from cervical spondylosis nowadays, and there are many devices on the market for preventing and treating it, as well as popular exercises like the "character stroke" exercise. Experts point out that various health care devices can only have a preventive effect and cannot treat the condition. While exercise therapy can alleviate cervical spondylosis, the timing of the exercise needs to be well-managed.
Actually, the exercise therapy for cervical spondylosis mainly involves medical gymnastics. However, medical gymnastics can be started when the symptoms of various types of cervical spondylosis are basically relieved or in a chronic state to further eliminate symptoms and consolidate the therapeutic effect. During the acute phase of symptoms, local rest is advised, and increasing exercise stimulation should be avoided. Furthermore, exercise is contraindicated if there are significant or progressive symptoms of spinal cord compression, especially neck extension movements. For patients with vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis, neck rotation should be gentle and slow, with the range of motion appropriately controlled.
Daily health care is key to preventing and treating cervical spondylosis.
The key to preventing and treating cervical spondylosis lies in daily health care in life and work, and the pillow is crucial. When choosing a pillow, it is recommended to select one with a slightly concave center and a height of 12-16cm. When sleeping, the neck should be on the pillow, not suspended, keeping the head slightly tilted back. For those who are used to sleeping on their side, the pillow should be as high as the shoulder. Additionally, Ma Yuanzheng also advises against reading while lying in bed and not keeping both hands above the head for extended periods.
In daily life, some patients with cervical spondylosis should avoid excessive neck extension and flexion activities. For example, patients with myelopathic cervical spondylosis should avoid excessive neck extension and flexion when washing their face, brushing their teeth, or writing. During the illness, patients should stop doing exercises that excessively move the cervical spine, such as wiping high windows. Furthermore, conditions like cervical spondylosis can also be effectively relieved through exercise, such as practicing Tai Chi or doing radio exercises.