Cervical osteochondrosis is a common disease that causes many unpleasant symptoms and significantly worsens the 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 physical therapy can help.
Appointment of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of the bone and cartilage tissues (intervertebral discs) of the spine. As a result, its discs deform, swell between the vertebrae, formations are formed in the body of the vertebrae.
As a result, the nerve endings are compressed, the blood vessels that run along the spine are pinned, and the surrounding tissues are injured by bone marrow. 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:
- Severe pain ("lumbago")
- Vision and hearing problems.
- Vertigo.
- Changes in intracranial pressure.
- faint.
- Nausea attacks.
- Limited mobility in the neck.
Medications can reduce inflammation and pain. But they are unable to release the restricted nerve roots and blood vessels, regulate the intervertebral discs in the right position, and restore mobility. Can only special exercises. Therefore, therapeutic exercises are the most important component of the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Indications for the use of exercise
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 initial stages. The presence of the disease and its stage is determined by the doctor. The reason for the success of the examination and the performance of therapeutic exercises should be any of the symptoms mentioned above, as well as a sting in the neck during movement.
Previously, cervical osteochondrosis was considered a disease of adults (from 40-45 years), but in recent years it is dramatically "younger" and occurs even in adolescents. The reason is the extended stationary seat at the computer or at the table. Therefore, even healthy young people do not mind to study all the exercises that appear for cervical osteochondrosis and perform it for prevention. This does not require equipment and sportswear, you can do it at noon or instead of a "smoke break".
Contraindications to therapeutic exercises
This does not mean that physiotherapy exercises can be done at any time by anyone. Osteochondrosis can be acute, subacute or recessive. The acute stage is characterized by the clear manifestation of many symptoms of the disease (they appear in different people in different sets) and, of course, by severe pain during movement.
In the acute stage of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to remove the pain and inflammation with the help of drugs (to be prescribed by a doctor) and physiotherapy procedures in the clinic. Physical education is strictly contraindicated.
Only in the subacute phase can you start exercising. When moving the neck, there should be no sharp pain, dizziness, "flies" in front of the eyes, noise in the ears. Slight discomfort is acceptable. Also contraindicated:
- Severe blood pressure disorders.
- Malignant tumors.
- Feverish conditions.
Courses are required in the recession stage (at least 3 times a week). If treatment is started at an early stage, there is a chance that with a conscious attitude to physiotherapy 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 executed in accordance with certain rules. Only in this case will they work.
- 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 width. It may be small at first, but it should grow as you go along.
- The movements should be smooth, without jerks.
- The number of repetitions of each exercise is 5-10 times. If symmetrical, the repetitions are measured separately in each direction.
- You can exercise while sitting (with mandatory back support on the back of a chair or armchair) or standing. The first is even better, so it is convenient to exercise in the office at work.
- There should be no breaks in the classroom. Exceptions are the transition of osteochondrosis to an acute stage or the appearance of disease accompanied by high temperature.
- Minor discomfort (mild to moderate pain, tingling, crunching) should be tolerated, especially at the beginning of the course. But if there is acute pain or other severe symptoms of osteochondrosis, you should stop exercising immediately 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 required. If for some reason you can not do it at the same time, you can do it at different times. It is important that you do not miss classes at all.
If you do not follow the rules of the courses mentioned above, exercise will not only not help, but can also have the opposite effect. Improper movement can lead to nerve entrapment 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 by yourself or with the advice of a doctor - all systems work. There are also several basic exercises that are included in almost all bands.
- Slopes of the head to the shoulders.
- Turns sideways (in this case, you have to pull your chin on your shoulder).
- Turns sideways with simultaneous application of the palm to the opposite shoulder.
- It leans back and forth. It is good if, when leaning backwards, the head presses against the headrest of a chair or a chair, overcoming a slight resistance.
- Raising and lowering the shoulders.
- Tilt your head to the shoulder while lifting the other shoulder.
- Stretching the neck forward and pulling it back (it is called a "braid peeking out of the nest").
- Stretching the neck forward, followed by turning the head to the side (called a "goose").
- Leaning and turning the head sideways with the arms raised and joined above the head (called "fakir").
- Stretching the neck forward and upwards with the simultaneous abduction of straight hands behind the back (called "gull").
Patients with osteochondrosis are also advised to tilt their head sideways and forward, as well as turn sideways with a very small width. 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". They are highly recommended for those who have the so-called "widow's hump" (also known as the "housewife's cylinder") - swelling in the area of the 7th cervical vertebra.
It is best to take the first few lessons under the guidance of a physiotherapist. It 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 reach such a specialist, you can use the instructional video.
The implementation of such a complex (in compliance with all the rules) will take no more than 20 minutes. This is obvious - it is better to start exercising quickly than to endure all the problems that are preparing for patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is a disease that the doctor can not cure. Without the active participation of the patient in the healing process, he can not do it. But, if you start therapeutic exercises in time, you can avoid the unpleasant manifestations of osteochondrosis for a long time.