The prevention and treatment of cervical spondylosis should be prevention-oriented, in daily life and work in a timely manner to eliminate a variety of cervical spondylosis susceptibility factors, prevention of cervical spondylosis should mainly start from the following aspects.
1.Improve and adjust the sleep status
Each person has nearly 1/3 of the time spent in sleep, if the sleep posture is not appropriate, it is easy to cause or aggravate cervical spondylosis. Pillow is an important tool to maintain the normal position of the head and neck, in general, the pillow is not easy to too high or too low, to the physiological position is better. During sleep, the physiological curve of the head and neck segment itself should be maintained. This physiological curve is not only a guarantee of the balance of the external muscles of the cervical spine, but also an essential condition to ensure the physiological anatomical state of the spinal canal.
The ideal sleep position should be so that the entire spine is in natural curvature, the hip and knee joints are flexed, so that the whole body muscles relax. Depending on the habits, supine or lateral lying can be used, not prone. The patient’s sensation in the morning is one of the criteria to judge the sleep status. If you feel discomfort in the neck and waist when you wake up in the morning, you should consider the quality of sleep and adjust it in time. Of course, in addition to the pillow and body position, the choice of bed also affects sleep, hard board bed and padded with breathable soft cushion is more reasonable.
2.Correct and change the bad body position at work
In the flexed neck state, the pressure on the cervical intervertebral disc and the tension stress on the muscle fiber tissue of the back of the neck is higher than the natural supination position. If the activity or load is increased in this state, the local stress will be greater, thus becoming a major factor in the intensification of cervical degeneration and fibrous tissue inflammation. Common occupational malposition at work are computer operators, typists, embroiderers, accountants and other long-time head-down movements, the head-turning movements of traffic police, assembly line assemblers’ head-down and neck-turning movements, etc.
The effective measures are not negative transfer of work, but regular change of head and neck position, regular far-seeing, adjusting the height or tilt of the table or workbench. The factory should have inter-work activities and form a system. The staff engaged in paperwork should have the habit of working regularly.
3.Actively treat inflammation of the throat
Inflammation of the throat is one of the factors that trigger cervical spondylosis. Recurrent inflammation of the throat can cause chronic inflammation of the neck muscles, resulting in relaxation of the neck ligaments and imbalance of the cervical spine inside and outside, destroying the stability of the cervical spine and leading to the occurrence or aggravation of cervical spondylosis. Therefore, timely prevention and control of pharyngitis, tonsillitis, lymphadenitis and other soft tissue infections in the neck is important for the prevention and treatment of cervical spondylosis.
4.Prevent and control head and neck trauma
Head and neck trauma is also one of the important causes of cervical spondylosis, which should be treated in time to heal after neck trauma so as to avoid improper treatment causing chronic strain on the soft tissues of the neck or cervical instability and the occurrence of cervical spondylosis.
Rehabilitation of cervical spondylosis
The main purpose of rehabilitation is to encourage patients to enhance their confidence and determination to overcome the disease through intensive psychotherapy. Prevent and actively treat complications such as bedsores, urinary retention, urinary tract infections, soft tissue contracture deformities, etc. Maximize the function of the residual limb and provide timely training for daily living and work. There are several important rehabilitation measures.
1.Psychotherapy
Patients with cervical spondylosis often have psychological barriers, so the necessary psychotherapy is needed. Pessimism and impatience of patients should be eliminated through psychotherapy in a timely manner. Cervical spondylosis treatment is often a long process and recovery is slow, so patients need to be encouraged to have the confidence and determination to overcome the disease.
2.Individual self-care and housework training
For patients with cervical spondylosis who fail to achieve the desired curative effect after treatment and whose limb function has been obviously damaged, patients should be allowed to take care of their personal life as far as possible, and it is beneficial to their mental state, their families and society if they can participate in household chores appropriately.
3.Muscle strength training of the affected limb
The muscle groups with reduced function or atrophy should be measured and trained to restore the corresponding muscle strength and endurance as much as possible, and the muscle strength of hand muscles is especially important. This can be done through special training equipment, massage, and artificial passive joint training.
4.The use of rehabilitation aids
A variety of tools and autonomous devices, such as canes, crutches, waist guards, wrist guards, knee guards, elbow guards, functional braces for lower limbs, prostheses, wheelchairs and various walking training apparatus, etc.
5.Vocational training
The corresponding vocational training plan can be formulated according to the functional impairment of cervical spondylosis patients, especially the functional situation of the remaining upper limbs, so that patients can actively participate in social life and enhance their love and confidence in life.
6.Prevention and treatment of complications
Severe cervical spondylosis patients can lead to incomplete paralysis and require enhanced care to prevent complications such as bedsores, urinary tract infections and pulmonary infections.