Many Vietnamese people's habits are "wearing down" their cervical spine.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Experts advise that, in addition to medical treatment, patients need to adjust their posture while working, take breaks, exercise properly, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to protect their spine.

Sitting in front of a screen for hours, looking down at your phone, driving long distances… these very familiar habits are silently “eroding” your cervical spine.

Many people simply dismiss neck and shoulder pain as ordinary muscle fatigue, taking painkillers and ignoring it. However, according to doctors, persistent neck pain that radiates to the shoulders and arms, accompanied by numbness, headaches, and dizziness, could be a sign of cervical spine damage, and delaying treatment can lead to long-term consequences.

From dull aches to insomnia due to neck pain.

Mr. HQM (39 years old, an IT employee in Hanoi ) used to think his neck and shoulder pain was just a "specialty" of office workers. Initially, he only felt a dull ache in his neck, stiffness in his shoulders, and difficulty turning his head.

After a few months, the pain became more frequent, especially at night, radiating down to the right shoulder and arm, sometimes causing numbness and tingling to the point where it was impossible to sleep.

"I took painkillers and applied pain patches constantly, but it only provided temporary relief. It wasn't until my hand went numb even when holding a glass of water that I finally went to see a doctor," Mr. M shared.

Sitting in front of a screen for hours, looking down at your phone, driving long distances… these very familiar habits are silently “eroding” the cervical spine (Photo: Getty).

At the hospital, imaging results showed that he had cervical spondylosis with mild disc herniation, causing nerve root compression, which was the reason for the prolonged and increasingly severe pain.

Why is the cervical spine so vulnerable to injury?

According to musculoskeletal specialists, the cervical spine consists of 7 vertebrae, which both support the head and ensure flexibility in the neck area. This is also the section of the spine that bears the most pressure when people bend their heads, maintain incorrect postures, or sit motionless for long periods.

When posture is incorrect, the intervertebral discs are compressed and misaligned. Over time, this can lead to degeneration, bulging, or herniation of the discs. Compression of nerves and blood vessels in the neck area can cause sharp pain, pain radiating down the shoulder and arm, and even dizziness, lightheadedness, and sleep disturbances.

In athletes , forceful neck rotations, incorrect training techniques, or injuries during exercise can also damage the intervertebral discs and ligaments of the cervical spine.

Doctors recommend that patients seek medical attention early if they experience the following symptoms: persistent and recurring neck and shoulder pain; pain that increases when turning the neck, bending, or tilting the head back; pain radiating down the shoulder and arm accompanied by numbness or weakness; pain that worsens at night causing insomnia; and accompanying symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or tinnitus.

Delaying medical attention not only prolongs pain but also increases the risk of nerve damage and impaired mobility.

Accurate diagnosis is key to effective treatment.

In clinical practice, doctors will examine and assess the posture and range of motion of the neck, combining this with imaging diagnostic tools such as X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI to accurately determine the location and extent of the injury.

At Hong Ngoc General Hospital, patients with cervical spine pain have access to a comprehensive diagnostic process that helps differentiate pain caused by muscle strain, degeneration, herniation, or periarthritis, thereby developing a personalized treatment plan.

For moderate to severe cases of neck and shoulder pain, treatment goes beyond just painkillers. Doctors say that if the injury has caused nerve compression, a combination of methods is needed to control pain and restore function.

At Hong Ngoc, patients can receive treatment using modern techniques such as:

Intensive physiotherapy: spinal stretching, electrical stimulation, shortwave therapy, and heat therapy help reduce muscle stiffness and improve circulation.

Ultrasound-guided injection therapy: delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly to the lesion site, providing rapid pain relief and minimizing systemic side effects.

Treatment of spinal diseases at Hong Ngoc General Hospital (Photo:

Individualized rehabilitation: guidance on exercises and posture correction to prevent relapse.

According to doctors, early intervention not only significantly reduces pain but also prevents the progression of degeneration and herniation, preserving long-term mobility.

Neck and shoulder pain not only reduces quality of life but also affects work performance, sleep, and mental well-being. Many people only seek medical attention when the pain becomes severe, whereas with early diagnosis and treatment, most cases can be well managed without surgical intervention.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/thoi-quen-cua-nhieu-nguoi-viet-bao-mon-cot-song-co-20260123105035893.htm