Cervical osteochondrosis is a common disease that causes many unpleasant symptoms and significantly impairs quality of life. It is almost impossible to cure 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 a degeneration of the bone and cartilage tissue (intervertebral discs) of the spine. As a result, its discs become deformed, protrude between the vertebrae, and growths form on the vertebral body.
As a result, the nerve endings are compressed, the blood vessels passing through the spine are compressed, and the surrounding tissues are injured by bone growths. Poor blood supply and immobility due to pain accelerate the development of pathology. As a result, the patient receives a whole "bouquet" of unpleasant symptoms:
- Acute pain ("lumbago")
- Visual and hearing impairments.
- Dizziness.
- Changes in intracranial pressure.
- Fainting.
- Attacks of nausea.
- Limited mobility in the neck.
Medications can reduce inflammation and pain. But they are not able to release the retained nerve roots and blood vessels, put the intervertebral discs in the right position and restore mobility. Can only special exercises. Therefore, therapeutic exercise is the most important component in the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Indications for the use of gymnastics
Therapeutic exercises are useful at each stage of osteochondrosis (there are four of them in this disease). However, it gives noticeable results only in the early stages. The presence of the disease and its stage are determined by the doctor. The reason for passing the examination and performing therapeutic exercises should be any of the above symptoms, as well as crunch in the neck while moving.
Previously, cervical osteochondrosis was considered a disease of adults (40-45 years), but in recent years it has suddenly become "young" and occurs even in adolescents. The reason is prolonged sitting motionless in front of a computer or table. why even healthy young people do not bother to study the set of exercises shown for cervical osteochondrosis and perform it for preventive purposes. This does not require any equipment and sportswear, you can do it at lunch or instead of "smoking break".
Contraindications to therapeutic exercises
This does not mean that physiotherapy exercises can be done at any time and by anyone. Osteochondrosis can be acute, subacute and in remission. The acute stage is characterized by a clear manifestation of several symptoms of the disease (they occur in different people in different sets) and, of course, 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 doing gymnastics. When moving the neck there should be no sharp pain, dizziness, "flies" in front of the eyes, tinnitus. Minor discomfort is acceptable. Also contraindicated:
- Serious blood pressure disorders.
- Malignant tumors.
- Feverish conditions.
Remission classes are needed (at least 3 times a week). If treatment is started at an early stage, there is a possibility that the acute phase of the disease will not return for many years with a conscious attitude towards physiotherapy.
Rules for conducting therapeutic exercises
Exercises for patients with cervical osteochondrosis are simple. These are movements of the head, shoulders and arms. But they must be done in accordance with a number of rules. Only in this case they will give results.
- Before you start training, your muscles need to warm up. The easiest way to do this is through self-massage.
- The movements must be performed with the maximum possible amplitude. It may be small at first, but it should increase as you progress.
- The movements must be smooth, without sharp movements.
- 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 in a sitting position (with mandatory support for the back of a chair or armchair) or upright. The first is even better, so it is convenient to do gymnastics in the office at work.
- There should be no breaks in the classes. Exceptions are the transition of osteochondrosis to an acute stage or the appearance of a disease accompanied by fever.
- Mild discomfort (mild pain, pulling sensation, crunch) should be tolerated, especially at the beginning of the session. But if there is acute pain or other severe 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. Adherence to 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 miss classes at all.
If you do not follow the rules of the classes listed above, gymnastics will not only not help, but can backfire. Improper 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 with the help of physiotherapy exercises. The choice can be made alone or on the advice of a doctor - all systems give results. There are also several basic exercises that are included in almost all complexes.
- Tilting the head to the shoulders.
- Turn to the side (in this case you need to pull your chin to your shoulder).
- Turn sideways while applying the palm to the opposite shoulder.
- He leans back and forth. It is good if, when leaning back, the head presses the headrest of a chair or stool, overcoming slight resistance.
- Raising and lowering the shoulders.
- Tilt your head to your shoulder while lifting your other shoulder.
- Stretching the neck forward and pulling 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 arms raised and gathered above the head (called "fakir").
- Stretching the neck forward and upwards while simultaneously abducting straight arms behind the back (called a "seagull").
Also, patients with osteochondrosis are advised to tilt their heads sideways and forward, as well as to turn sideways with a very small amplitude. The number of repetitions in such cases should be greater (at least 10 times). These exercises are sometimes called "ay-ay-ay", "yes-yes" and "no-no". Especially recommended for those who have the so-called "widow's hump" (also known as "housewife roll") - swelling in the 7th cervical spine.
It is better to conduct the first few classes 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. If it is difficult to reach such a specialist, you can use the video tutorial.
The implementation of such a complex (subject to all rules) will require no more than 20 minutes. So it is obvious - it is better to start training quickly than to endure all the troubles prepared for patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is a disease that the doctor cannot cure. Without the active participation of the patient in the treatment process, he can not do. But if you start doing therapeutic exercises on time, you can avoid the unpleasant manifestations of osteochondrosis for a long time.