Popular Science丨Adding beauty to the neck and supporting health

The cervical spine is an important anatomical structure that connects the head and the body. If you are suffering from chronic, acute or postoperative cervical spine disease, then the "cervical brace", a professional cervical rehabilitation aid, may be an effective aid for your recovery. You can learn about this important rehabilitation aid and the precautions when using it through this article.

Common cervical collars have both preventive and therapeutic effects. They have the functions of braking and protecting the cervical spine, promoting tissue repair, and preventing recurrence of the disease. They are currently widely used in the medical field and daily life. So what types of cervical collars are there? How should they be used correctly?

1. Types of Cervical Collars

1. Soft neck support

1. Mild cervical discomfort: Mild cervical soreness, stiffness and other symptoms caused by maintaining a bad posture for a long time (such as looking down at a mobile phone or computer).

2. Early stage of cervical spine rehabilitation: In the early stage of rehabilitation of cervical spine disease, a soft neck brace can help patients gradually adapt to the correct neck posture and reduce the burden on the cervical spine.

3. Daily protection: For people who need to maintain a fixed posture for a long time (such as office white-collar workers, drivers, etc.), it can prevent the occurrence of cervical spine diseases to a certain extent.

(ii) Inflatable cervical collar

1. Personalized adjustment: The inflation can be adjusted according to individual neck size and comfort, suitable for people who need highly personalized support.

2. Travel and Sports: Easy to carry and store, suitable for wearing during travel, long-distance car rides or light exercise to provide neck support and protection.

3. Cervical traction: Some inflatable cervical collars have functions similar to traction and are suitable for patients with cervical spondylosis to perform simple self-traction treatment (but must be used under the guidance of a professional doctor).

(III) Hard neck support

1. Acute cervical spine injury: If the cervical spine is seriously injured by external force such as fracture, dislocation, etc., it can provide strong fixation and support to prevent further damage to the cervical spine.

2. Postoperative rehabilitation: After neck surgery, patients need to wear it for a period of time to maintain the stability of the cervical spine, and promote rehabilitation effects by cooperating with the therapist's treatment.

2. Notes on using a cervical collar

1. The tightness should be moderate

If the neck brace is too tight, it may cause skin compression or affect breathing and eating. If it is too loose, it will not achieve the braking purpose.

(ii) The time should be appropriate

The wearing time of a neck brace is generally 2 to 3 months (or as directed by a doctor) and must be discontinued under the guidance of a doctor.

3. Gradual Transition

Long-term use of a neck brace can cause atrophy of the neck and back muscles and joint stiffness, so after the symptoms gradually subside, remove the neck brace in time and strengthen neck muscle exercises (McKenzie therapy).

If the doctor determines that your cervical symptoms are mild, McKenzie Cervical Therapy will be recommended to you. Through self-stretching and exercising the neck muscles, it can relieve cervical pain and adjust the physiological curve.

3. McKenzie Cervical Spine Therapy

1. Maintain sitting position for 10 seconds;

2. Fully retract your head and hold for 5 seconds, while sitting up straight.

3. Tilt your head back and feel the stretch in your neck for 5 seconds;

4. Two sets in the morning and two in the afternoon, 10 to 14 times each set.

END

Author: Cao Zheting (Jiangwan Hospital, Hongkou District, Shanghai)

Reviewer: Luo Zhendong (Honorary Director of the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of Jiangwan Hospital, Hongkou District, Shanghai, Standing Committee Member of the Medical and Health Integration Working Committee of the Chinese Rehabilitation Medicine Association, Publicity Department of Jiangwan Hospital, Hongkou District, Shanghai)

Editor: Zhu Xiaoqing (Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine)