Editor's Note ： It is said that in some areas, there are fitness people who treat cervical spondylosis by hanging their heads and swinging with ropes. The "neck lifting exercise" is similar to the clinical "cervical traction". The middle-aged and elderly people who are keen on "neck lifting exercise" think that it is good for the cervical spine to let the neck be pulled, but the answer is no.

Cervical spondylosis is a group of diseases in which the adjacent spinal cord, nerves, and blood vessels are stimulated or compressed due to the degeneration of cervical intervertebral discs or small joints, and corresponding clinical symptoms appear. Cervical degeneration mostly occurs in the lower cervical spine, and the duration of the disease varies. Most of them are chronic, recurrent and progressive.

Can "hanging" exercise treat cervical spondylosis?

Rumors have it that, Hang your head and swing it with the rope. This "neck hanging" exercise can repair cervical spondylosis.

The truth is: The "neck lifting exercise" is similar to the clinical "cervical traction". The middle-aged and elderly people who are keen on "neck lifting exercise" think that it is good for the cervical spine to let the neck be pulled. But the answer is no. Such improper "neck lifting fitness", with the traction force far greater than the clinical treatment needs, may damage nerve tissues, muscles, tendons and ligaments, aggravate the disease, and even cause paraplegia and endanger life.

Traction treatment needs to follow two principles: symptomatic principle and moderate principle. In clinical practice, there are two types of cervical spondylosis suitable for traction: one is chronic neck and shoulder pain, and moderate traction can relax tense muscles and effectively relieve pain symptoms. The second is cervical spondylosis of nerve root type, which is often clinically manifested as radiation pain or numbness of upper limbs, heavy feeling and reduction of grip strength. Appropriate traction treatment can be selected, but too much intensity and too long time must be avoided. The above "neck hanging" exercise is definitely not desirable.

In addition, it should be noted that traction treatment is prohibited for "cervical spondylosis of 'spinal cord', cervical spondylosis with vertigo symptoms, and unstable cervical spondylosis" clinically diagnosed. The reason is that high-intensity "neck hanging" traction may damage the already unstable structure of the intervertebral disc core, further compress the nerves, increase pain, numbness, and even cause paralysis Death and other adverse consequences.

Therefore, before traction treatment, it is necessary to go to a regular hospital to improve relevant examinations, and after professional doctor evaluation, traction treatment should be carried out under the guidance of doctors.

Learn a few small movements to keep you away from cervical spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative and aging disease. However, in recent years, the prevalence of cervical spondylosis has been rising, and the age of onset has gradually become younger. A large number of young patients are computer or mobile phone users.

In fact, most cervical spondylosis does not need surgery as the first choice.

"Spinal cord type" cervical spondylosis generally requires early surgery to save spinal cord function, avoid irreversible nerve damage and sensory activity disorders of varying degrees.

"Nerve root type" cervical spondylosis can be treated conservatively at an early stage with drugs, physical therapy and exercise. A considerable number of patients can improve or maintain it, but if the conservative treatment is ineffective for severely compressing the nerve root, active surgical decompression is still needed.

The human spine is not a straight stick, but a soft and curved "multi stick" composed of 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae and sacrococcygeal bones. It is also the basis of the human S-shaped curve. The cervical spine has physiological lordosis.

Maintaining normal physiological radian can maximize the flexion and extension function, buffer stability and protect the spinal cord. Therefore, attention should be paid to protecting cervical vertebra in daily life, which can delay the degeneration process of cervical vertebra. For patients who have already had cervical spondylosis and are being treated, effective rehabilitation exercise is also helpful to improve the curative effect and control the development of the disease.

Avoid long-term bowing to the desk, using mobile phones, and maintaining a posture without rest. After working for more than an hour, you should stand up and exercise for about ten minutes, so that your body and mind can be properly relaxed.

Cross your hands behind the pillow, keep your neck slightly stretched back. When you are still, put your head back and your hands forward, feel the muscles on both sides of the neck contract, and hold on for 10 seconds to relax. Repeat this for 10-15 minutes each time, three times a day, and generally for about three months. Cervical curvature can be gradually improved, and early symptoms may be relieved. The most important thing is to stay away from "real" cervical spondylosis.

Lie on your back on the bed, remove the pillow, and lift your shoulders and back with the strength of your limbs for 3-5 seconds. Then relax your muscles, and let your shoulders and back rest for 3-5 seconds as a cycle to achieve the purpose of training your back muscles. At the same time, it can effectively exercise the muscles of the lower back, which is also beneficial to patients with chronic low back pain. Gradually adjust the intensity according to your strength.

Swimming, especially the backward stretching of breaststroke, is also a reverse bow posture. Through muscle training, the stability of the cervical spine can be increased and the cervical spine can return to its physiological curvature.

When the symptoms of cervical spondylosis such as neck pain are obvious, it is not suitable to exercise, let alone blindly massage, but to have a proper rest. If the patient is seriously ill, he/she needs to go to a regular hospital and ask an orthopedic doctor for judgment and guidance. Proper neck muscle exercise can only be carried out after the symptoms are obviously relieved to prevent recurrence and progress. (Beijing Tsinghua Changgeng Hospital, official website of Beijing Municipal Health Commission, Beijing Association of Science and Technology)

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