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 it is possible to stop the development of the process and get rid of a significant part of the symptoms.Only physical therapy can help with this.
Prescription of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of the bone and cartilage tissues (intervertebral discs) of the spine.As a result, their discs become deformed, bulge between the vertebrae, and growths form on the body of the vertebrae.
As a result, nerve endings are pinched, blood vessels running through the spine are pinched, and surrounding tissues are injured due to bone growth.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 deficiencies.
- Dizziness.
- Changes in intracranial pressure.
- Fainting.
- Nausea attacks.
- Restricted mobility in the neck area.
Medications can reduce inflammation and pain.But they cannot release compressed nerve roots and blood vessels, put intervertebral discs in the correct position and restore mobility.Only special exercises can do this.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 this disease).However, it only gives visible results in the early stages.The presence of the disease and its stage is determined by the doctor.The reason for undergoing an examination and performing therapeutic exercises should be any of the above symptoms, as well as a crunch in the neck when moving.
Previously, cervical osteochondrosis was considered a disease of people of mature age (40-45 years old), but in recent years it has become "younger" and occurs even in adolescents.The reason is prolonged immobility sitting in front of a computer or at a table.Therefore, even healthy young people would do well to study a series of exercises indicated for cervical osteochondrosis and perform them for preventive purposes.You don't need any equipment or sports clothing for this;You can do this during your lunch break or instead of a “smoke break.”
Contraindications of therapeutic exercises.
This does not mean that anyone can perform physical therapy anytime, anywhere.Osteochondrosis can occur in acute, subacute and remission stages.The acute stage is characterized by the obvious manifestation of various symptoms of the disease (they occur 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 medications (prescribed by a doctor) and physiotherapy procedures in the clinic.Performing physical exercise 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” before the eyes or tinnitus.Minor inconveniences are accepted.The following are also contraindications:
- Serious blood pressure disorders.
- Malignant tumors.
- Febrile conditions.
Classes during the remission stage 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 physiotherapy, 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 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 results.
- Before starting the exercise, it is necessary to warm up the muscles.The easiest way to do this is through self-massage.
- The movements should be carried out with the greatest possible amplitude.It may be small at first, but it should increase as you practice.
- Movements should be smooth, without jerks.
- The number of repetitions of each exercise is 5 to 10 times.If symmetrical, 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 is even better, so it is convenient to do gymnastics in the office at your workplace.
- There should be no breaks in classes.The exception is the transition of osteochondrosis to the acute stage or the appearance of a disease accompanied by high fever.
- You must tolerate small discomforts (mild pain, pulling sensations, creaking), especially at the beginning of classes.But if sharp pains or other serious symptoms of osteochondrosis appear, you should immediately stop exercising and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Doctors usually recommend doing therapeutic exercises always at the same time.Compliance with this standard is desirable, but not mandatory.If for some reason you cannot study at a given time, you will be able to do so at different times.It is important not to miss classes at all.
If you do not follow the exercise rules listed above, gymnastics not only will not help, but can also give the opposite result.An incorrectly performed movement can lead to a pinched nerve or displaced intervertebral disc.
The main set of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis.
Today there are many systems for treating osteochondrosis through physiotherapy.You can choose yourself or consult a doctor - all systems give results.There are also several basic exercises included in almost all complexes.
- Tilts of the head towards the shoulders.
- Turn to the sides (in this case, you should bring your chin towards your shoulder).
- Turn to the sides and at the same time place your palm on the opposite shoulder.
- He leans back and forth.It is good that, when leaning back, your head presses on the headrest of a chair or chair, overcoming slight resistance.
- Raising and lowering shoulders.
- Tilt your head towards your shoulder and at the same time raise your other shoulder.
- Stretching the neck forward and moving it backwards (called “chick peeking out of the nest”).
- Stretch your neck forward and then turn your head to one side (called “gooseneck”).
- Tilt and turn your head to the sides with your arms raised and together above your head (called “fakir”).
- Stretch your neck forward and up and at the same time move your arms straight behind your back (called “seagull”).
In addition, patients with osteochondrosis are recommended to tilt their head to the sides and forward, as well as turn it to the sides 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."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 seventh cervical vertebra.
It is better if the first classes are carried out under the guidance of a physiotherapy specialist.He will teach you how to perform the exercises correctly and then the patient can do them himself.If it is difficult for you to get to such a specialist, you can use the video tutorial.
Completing such a complex (observing all the rules) will take no more than 20 minutes.Therefore, it is clear that it is better to quickly start exercising than to endure all the problems that await patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is a disease that a doctor cannot cure.You cannot do without the active participation of the patient in the treatment process.But if you start doing therapeutic exercises on time, you will be able to avoid the unpleasant manifestations of osteochondrosis for a long time.