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 physical therapy can help with this.
Prescribing therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of bone tissue and cartilage (intervertebral discs) of the spinal column.As a result, the discs are deformed, protrude between the vertebrae, and growths form on the body of the vertebrae.
As a result, the nerve endings are compressed, the blood vessels running along the spine are compressed, and the surrounding tissues are injured by bony growths.Poor blood supply and immobility due to pain accelerate the development of pathology.As a result, the patient gets a whole "bouquet" of unpleasant symptoms:
- Sharp pain ("lumbago")
- Visual and hearing impairments.
- Vertigo.
- Changes in intracranial pressure.
- Fainting.
- Attacks of nausea.
- Limited mobility in the neck area.
Medicines can reduce inflammation and pain.But they are not able to release the pinched nerve roots and blood vessels, put the intervertebral discs in the correct position and restore mobility.Only special exercises can do that.Therefore, therapeutic exercises are the most important component of osteochondrosis treatment.
Indications for the use of gymnastics
Therapeutic exercises are useful in any stage of osteochondrosis (this disease has four of them).However, it gives visible results only in the early stages.The presence of the disease and its stage is determined by the doctor.The reason for examination and performing therapeutic exercises should be any of the above-mentioned symptoms, as well as cracking in the neck when moving.
Previously, cervical osteochondrosis was considered a disease of people of mature age (from 40-45 years old), but in recent years it has suddenly become "younger" and is found even in adolescents.The reason is long-term immobile sitting at the computer or at the table.Therefore, it would be good for healthy young people to study a set of exercises indicated for cervical osteochondrosis and perform them for preventive purposes.You don't need any equipment or sportswear for this;you can do it during your lunch break or instead of a "smoke break".
Contraindications for therapeutic exercises
This does not mean that physical therapy can be done by anyone at any time.Osteochondrosis can be in acute, subacute and remission stage.The acute stage is characterized by the obvious manifestation of several symptoms of the disease (they appear in different sets in different people) and, necessarily, severe pain when moving.
In the acute stage of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to relieve pain and inflammation with the help of drugs (prescribed by a doctor) and physiotherapeutic procedures in the clinic.Physical exercises are strictly contraindicated.
Only in the subacute phase can you start doing gymnastics.When moving the neck, there should be no sharp pain, dizziness, "flies" before the eyes or tinnitus.Minor discomfort is acceptable.Contraindications are the following:
- Serious disorders of blood pressure.
- Malignant tumors.
- Feverish conditions.
Classes in the remission phase are mandatory (at least 3 times a week).If treatment is started at an early stage, there is a chance that with a conscious attitude towards physical therapy, 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 represent head, shoulder and arm movements.But they should be carried out by following a number of rules.Only in this case will it give results.
- Before starting the exercise, it is necessary to warm up the muscles.The easiest way to do this is self-massage.
- Movements must be performed with the greatest possible amplitude.It may be small at first, but should increase as you practice.
- Movements should be smooth, without jerks.
- The number of repetitions of each exercise is 5-10 times.If it is symmetrical, the repetitions are counted separately in each direction.
- You can do gymnastics sitting (with your back necessarily resting on the back of a chair or armchair) or standing.The first one is even better, so it's convenient to do gymnastics in the office at your workplace.
- There should be no breaks in class.An exception is the transition of osteochondrosis to an acute stage or the appearance of a disease accompanied by a high temperature.
- Minor discomfort (slight pain, pulling sensation, grinding) should be tolerated, especially at the beginning of the class.But if sharp pain or other severe symptoms of osteochondrosis appear, you should immediately stop exercising and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Doctors often recommend performing therapeutic exercises at the same time.Compliance with this rule is desirable, but not mandatory.If for some reason you cannot study at the same time, you can do it at different times.It is important not to miss classes.
If you do not follow the above rules of exercise, 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 treating osteochondrosis using physical therapy.You can make the choice yourself or on the advice of a doctor - all systems give results.There are also several basic exercises included in almost all complexes.
- Tilts the head towards the shoulders.
- It turns to the sides (in this case you need to pull the chin to the shoulders).
- Turn to your sides while simultaneously placing your palm on the opposite shoulder.
- Bends back and forth.It is good if, when leaning back, your head presses against the headrest of the chair or chair, overcoming a slight resistance.
- Raising and lowering the shoulders.
- He tilts his head towards his shoulder while at the same time raising his other shoulder.
- Stretching the neck forward and moving it back (called "chicken peeking out of the nest").
- Stretching the neck forward followed by turning the head to the side (called "goose").
- Tilts and turns the head to the side with raised and joined hands above the head (called "fakir").
- Stretching the neck forward and up while simultaneously moving straight arms behind the back (called "seagull").
Also, patients with osteochondrosis are recommended to tilt the head to the side 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 called "aye-aye-aye," "yeah-yeah," and "no-no."They are especially recommended for those who have the so-called "widow's hump" (also known as "housewife's hump") - swelling in the area of the 7th cervical vertebra.
It is better that the first few classes are conducted under the guidance of a physical therapy specialist.He will teach you how to perform the exercises correctly, and then the patient will be able to do it himself.If it is difficult to reach such an expert, you can use a video tutorial.
The completion of such a complex (in accordance with all the rules) will not require more than 20 minutes.Therefore, it is obvious that it is better to start exercising quickly than to suffer all the troubles that are in store for patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is a disease that a doctor cannot cure.It cannot be done without the patient's active participation in the treatment process.But, if you start doing therapeutic exercises on time, you can avoid unpleasant manifestations of osteochondrosis for a long time.