Cervical osteochondrosis is a common disease that causes many unpleasant symptoms and significantly worsens the quality of life.It is almost impossible to treat 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 and cartilage (intervertebral discs) tissues of the spine.As a result, its discs are deformed, protrude between the vertebrae, growths are formed in the bodies of the vertebrae.
As a result, the nerve endings are compressed, the blood vessels along the spine are compressed, and the surrounding tissues are damaged by bone protrusions.Due to pain, poor blood supply and immobility accelerate the development of pathology.As a result, the patient receives a whole "bouquet" of unpleasant symptoms:
- Acute pain ("lumbago")
- Vision and hearing disorders.
- Dizziness.
- Changes in intracranial pressure.
- Don't faint.
- Nausea attacks.
- Limited mobility in the neck area.
Medicines can reduce inflammation and pain.However, they cannot release the compressed nerve roots and blood vessels, restore the intervertebral discs to their correct position and restore mobility.Only special exercises can do this.Therefore, therapeutic exercises are the most important component of osteochondrosis treatment.
Instructions for using gymnastics
Therapeutic exercises are useful at any stage of osteochondrosis (there are four of them in this disease).However, it gives noticeable results only at the initial stage.The presence of the disease and its stage are determined by the doctor.Any of the above symptoms, as well as a crisis in the neck when moving, should be the reason to undergo an examination and perform therapeutic exercises.
Previously, cervical osteochondrosis was considered a disease of adults (40-45 years old), but in recent years it has become "younger" and is found even in teenagers.The reason is sitting still for a long time at the computer or desk.Therefore, even healthy young people would do well to learn the set of exercises indicated for cervical osteochondrosis and perform them for prevention.You don't need any equipment or sportswear for this;you can do this during your lunch break or instead of a "smoke break".
Contraindications to therapeutic exercises
This does not mean that physical therapy can be done at any time and by anyone.Osteochondrosis can be in acute, subacute and remission stages.The acute stage is characterized by the obvious manifestation of several symptoms of the disease (in different sets in different people) and severe pain when moving.
In the acute stage of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to eliminate pain and inflammation in the clinic with the help of drugs (prescribed by a doctor) and physiotherapeutic procedures.Physical exercise is strictly contraindicated.
You can start doing gymnastics only in the subacute stage.When moving the neck, there should be no sharp pain, dizziness, "planes" in front of the eyes or tinnitus.Small inconvenience is welcome.The following are also contraindications:
- Serious blood pressure disorders.
- Malignant tumors.
- Heating conditions.
In the phase of remission, classes are mandatory (at least 3 times a week).If the treatment starts at an early stage, with a conscious attitude to physiotherapy, there is a chance that the acute stage of the disease will not return for many years.
Rules for conducting therapeutic exercises
Exercises for patients with cervical osteochondrosis are simple.They represent the movements of the head, shoulders and arms.However, they should be implemented following a number of rules.Only in this case will they give results.
- Before starting the exercise, you need to warm up the muscles.The easiest way to do this is to massage yourself.
- Movements should be performed with the greatest possible amplitude.It may be small at first, but should increase as you practice.
- Movements should be smooth, without jerking.
- The number of repetitions of each exercise is 5-10 times.If symmetrical, repetitions are counted separately in each direction.
- You can do gymnastics while sitting (your back must rest on the back of a chair or armchair) or while standing.The first is better, so it is convenient to do gymnastics in the office at work.
- There should be no breaks in classes.An exception is the transition of osteochondrosis to an acute stage or the appearance of a disease accompanied by high fever.
- Especially at the beginning of classes, you have to tolerate small discomforts (slight pain, pulling sensation, crunch).However, if acute pain or other severe symptoms of osteochondrosis appear, you should immediately stop exercising and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Doctors often recommend doing 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 skip classes at all.
If you do not follow the training rules listed above, gymnastics will not only not help, but may also have the opposite effect.An improperly performed movement can cause nerve compression or displacement of the intervertebral disc.
The main set of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Today, there are many systems for the treatment of osteochondrosis using physiotherapy.You can make the choice yourself or with a doctor's advice - all systems work.There are also several basic exercises that are included in almost all complexes.
- Bending the head to the shoulders.
- It turns to the sides (in this case, you need to pull your chin to your shoulder).
- Turn sideways while simultaneously placing your palm on your opposite shoulder.
- It bends back and forth.Ideally, your head should press against the headrest of the chair or chair with little resistance as you lean back.
- Raise and lower the shoulders.
- At the same time, he tilts his head to his shoulder while raising his other shoulder.
- Stretching the neck forward and pulling it back (called a "chick out of the nest").
- Stretching the neck forward, then turning the head to the side (called "gaze").
- Bending and turning the head to the sides (called "fakir") by raising the arms and bringing them together above the head.
- While extending the neck forward and up, move the straight arms behind the back (called a "seagull").
Also, patients with osteochondrosis are advised to tilt their head to the sides and forward, as well as to turn to the sides with a very small amplitude.In such cases, the number of repetitions should be higher (at least 10 times).These exercises are sometimes called "aye-aye-aye", "yes-yes" and "no-no".It is especially recommended for those with "widow's hump" (also known as "housewife's hump"), which is swelling in the 7th cervical vertebra.
The first few lessons are best done under the guidance of a physical therapist.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 contact such a specialist, you can use the video instruction.
Completing such a complex (according to all the rules) will not take more than 20 minutes.Thus, it is clear that for patients with cervical osteochondrosis, it is better to start exercising quickly than to endure all the expected difficulties.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is a disease that cannot be treated by a doctor.It cannot do without the patient's active participation in the treatment process.However, if you start doing therapeutic exercises on time, you can avoid unpleasant manifestations of osteochondrosis for a long time.