Cervical osteochondrosis is a common disease that causes many unpleasant symptoms and significantly worsens the quality of life. It is almost impossible to cure it without surgery. But you can stop the development of the process and get rid of a significant part of the symptoms. Only physiotherapy can help with this.
Appointment of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of the bone and cartilaginous tissues (intervertebral discs) of the spine. As a result, their discs are deformed, they protrude between the vertebrae, growths are formed on the body of the vertebrae.
As a result, the nerve endings are pinched, the blood vessels that pass along the spine are pinched, and the surrounding tissues are injured by bone growths. Poor blood supply and immobility due to pain accelerate the development of the pathology. As a result, the patient receives a whole "bouquet" of unpleasant symptoms:
- Sharp pains ("lumbago")
- Visual and auditory deficiencies.
- Vertigo.
- Changes in intracranial pressure.
- Fainting.
- Nausea attacks.
- Limited mobility in the neck.
Medicines can reduce inflammation and pain. But they are not able to release the restricted nerve roots and blood vessels, put the intervertebral discs in the correct position and restore mobility. You can only special exercises. Therefore, therapeutic exercises are the most important component of the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Indications for the use of gymnastics
Therapeutic exercises are useful at any stage of osteochondrosis (there are four of them in this disease). However, it gives noticeable results only in the early stages. The doctor determines the presence of the disease and its stage. The reason for passing the examination and performing therapeutic exercises should be any of the symptoms listed above, as well as a crack in the neck when moving.
Previously, cervical osteochondrosis was considered a disease of people of mature age (from 40 to 45 years), but in recent years it has become dramatically "younger" and occurs even in adolescents. The reason is to remain motionless for a long time in front of a computer or a table. Therefore, it does not hurt even healthy young people to study the set of exercises shown for cervical osteochondrosis and perform them for preventive purposes. This does not require any sports equipment and clothing, you can do it at lunchtime or instead of a "smoke break".
Contraindications to therapeutic exercises.
This does not mean that physical therapy exercises can be performed at any time and by anyone. Osteochondrosis can be in the acute, subacute and remission stages. The acute stage is characterized by a clear manifestation of various symptoms of the disease (they occur in different people in a different set), and, of course, by severe pain when moving.
In the acute stage of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to eliminate pain and inflammation with the help of drugs (they will be prescribed by a doctor) and physiotherapy procedures in the clinic. Physical education is strictly contraindicated.
Only in the subacute stage can you start gymnastics. When moving the neck, there should be no sharp pain, dizziness, "flies" before the eyes, noise in the ears. Minor annoyances are accepted. Also contraindicated:
- Serious blood pressure disorders.
- Malignant tumors.
- febrile conditions.
Classes are required at the referral stage (at least 3 times a week). If treatment is started at an early stage, there is a chance that with a conscientious attitude to physical therapy exercises, the acute stage of the disease will not return for many years.
Rules for performing therapeutic exercises
Exercises for patients with cervical osteochondrosis are simple. They are movements of the head, shoulders and arms. But they must be carried out, following a series of rules. Only in this case will they give a result.
- Before you start training, the muscles must be warmed up. The easiest way to do this is through self-massage.
- The movements should be performed with the maximum amplitude possible. It may be small at first, but it should increase as you go.
- The movements should be smooth, without jerks.
- The number of repetitions of each exercise is 5 to 10 times. If it is symmetrical, repetitions are counted separately in each direction.
- You can do gymnastics sitting down (with mandatory back support on the back of a chair or couch) or standing up. The first is even better, so it is convenient to do gymnastics in the office at the workplace.
- There should be no breaks in class. An exception is the transition of osteochondrosis to an acute stage or the onset of a disease accompanied by a high temperature.
- Minor discomfort (mild non-acute pain, pulling sensation, crunching) should be tolerated, especially at the beginning of classes. But if there is a sharp pain or other pronounced symptoms of osteochondrosis, you should immediately stop exercising and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Doctors often recommend doing therapeutic exercises always at the same time. Compliance with this rule is desirable, but not mandatory. If for some reason you can't do it at the same time, you can do it at different times. It is important not to skip classes at all.
If you do not follow the rules of the classes listed above, gymnastics will not only not help, but can also give the opposite result. Improperly performed movement can lead to pinching of the nerve or displacement of the intervertebral disc.
The main set of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis.
Today, there are many systems for the treatment of osteochondrosis with the help of physiotherapy exercises. The choice can be made by yourself or on the advice of a doctor; all systems give results. There are also several basic exercises that are included in almost every complex.
- Tilts of the head towards the shoulders.
- It turns to the sides (in this case, you need to bring your chin to your shoulder).
- Turn to the sides with simultaneous application of the palm on the opposite shoulder.
- It leans back and forth. It is good if, leaning back, the head presses on the headrest of a chair or chair, overcoming a slight resistance.
- Raise and lower the shoulders.
- Tilt your head toward your shoulder as you lift your other shoulder.
- Stretching the neck forward and pulling it back (called "chick that peeks out of the nest").
- Stretch your neck forward, followed by turning your head to the side (called a "goose").
- Tilt and turn your head sideways with your arms raised and together above your head (called "fakir").
- Stretch the neck forward and up with the simultaneous abduction of the straight arms behind the back (called "seagull").
Also, patients with osteochondrosis are recommended to tilt their heads to the sides and forward, as well as turn to the sides with a very small amplitude. The number of repetitions in such cases should be higher (at least 10 times). These exercises are sometimes referred to as "ouch-ouch-ouch, " "yes-yes, " and "no-no. "They are especially recommended for those who have the so-called "widow's hump" (also known as "housewife's roller") - swelling in the region of the seventh cervical vertebra.
It is better if the first classes will be held under the guidance of a physiotherapist. He will teach you how to perform the exercises correctly, and then the patient himself will be able to do it. If it is difficult to get to such a specialist, you can use the video tutorial.
The implementation of such a complex (according to all the rules) will require no more than 20 minutes. So, it is obvious: it is better to start exercising quickly than to endure all the troubles prepared for patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is a disease that a doctor cannot cure. Without the active participation of the patient in the treatment process, you can not do it. But, if you start therapeutic exercises in time, you can avoid unpleasant manifestations of osteochondrosis for a long time.