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.
Appointment of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degeneration of bone and cartilage (intervertebral discs) of the spine. As a result, the discs are deformed, protruding between the vertebrae, and growths form on the vertebral body.
As a result, nerve endings are constricted, blood vessels running along the spine are constricted, and 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 gets a whole "bouquet" of unpleasant symptoms:
- Sharp pains ("lumbago")
- Impairment of sight and hearing.
- Vertigo.
- Changes in intracranial pressure.
- Unconsciousness.
- Attacks of nausea.
- Limited mobility in the neck.
Medications can reduce inflammation and pain. But they are not able to release the constricted nerve roots and blood vessels, place 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 at any stage of osteochondrosis (there are four of them in this disease). However, it gives visible results only in the early stages. The presence of the disease and its stage is determined by a doctor. The reason for taking the examination and performing therapeutic exercises should be any of the above symptoms, as well as cracking in the neck when moving.
Previously, cervical osteochondrosis was considered a disease of people of mature age (40-45 years), but in recent years it has dramatically "rejuvenated" and occurs even in adolescents. The reason is prolonged sitting at a computer or desk. Therefore, even healthy young people do not mind studying the set of exercises shown for cervical osteochondrosis and performing it for the purpose of prevention. This does not require any equipment and sportswear, you can do it at lunch time or instead of "smoking".
Contraindications to therapeutic exercises
This does not mean that physiotherapy exercises can be done at any time and by anyone. Osteochondrosis can be in acute, subacute and remission. The acute stage is characterized by a clear manifestation of several symptoms of the disease (occurring in different people in different sets) and, of course, severe pain when moving.
In the acute phase of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to eliminate pain and inflammation with the help of medications (prescribed by a doctor) and physiotherapy procedures in the clinic. Physical education is strictly contraindicated.
Only in the subacute phase can you start doing gymnastics. There should be no sharp pain, dizziness, "flies" in front of the eyes, noise in the ears when moving the neck. Minor discomfort is acceptable. Also contraindicated:
- Serious blood pressure disorders.
- 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 physiotherapy exercises, the acute phase of the disease will not return for many years.
Rules for performing therapeutic exercises
Exercises for patients with cervical osteochondrosis are simple. These are the movements of the head, shoulders and arms. But they need to be implemented, following a number of rules. Only in this case, they will give a result.
- Before you start training, your muscles need to warm up. The easiest way to do this is 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 should be smooth, without jerks.
- The number of repetitions of each exercise is 5-10 times. If it is symmetrical, repetitions are counted separately in each direction.
- You can do gymnastics sitting (with the obligatory back support on the back of a chair or armchair) or standing. The first is even better, so it’s convenient to do gymnastics in the office at work.
- There should be no break in class. The exception is the transition of osteochondrosis to the acute stage or the appearance of a disease accompanied by high fever.
- Minor discomfort (mild pain, feeling of withdrawal, creaking) should be tolerated, especially at the beginning of classes. But if you experience severe pain or other severe symptoms of osteochondrosis, you should stop exercising immediately and see a doctor as soon as possible.
Doctors often recommend performing 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 skip classes.
If you do not follow the above rules of teaching, gymnastics will not only not help, but can give the opposite result. Improperly performed movement can lead to nerve entrapment or intervertebral disc displacement.
The main set of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Today, there are many systems for treating osteochondrosis with the help of physiotherapy exercises. You can make the choice yourself or on the advice of a doctor - all systems give results. There are also several basic exercises that are included in almost all complexes.
- Tilt your head toward your shoulders.
- It turns to the sides (in this case you have to pull your chin to your shoulders).
- He turns to the side while bringing his palm to the opposite shoulder.
- Tilt back and forth. It is good if, when leaning backwards, the head presses the headrest of a chair or stool, overcoming a slight resistance.
- Raising and lowering the shoulders.
- Tilt your head on your shoulder while lifting the other shoulder.
- Stretching the neck forward and pulling back (called a "saw sticking out of the nest").
- Stretching the neck forward, followed by turning the head to the side (called a "goose").
- Tilt and turn your head to the side with your arms raised and joined above your head (called a "fakir").
- Stretching the neck forward and up while simultaneously abducting straight arms behind the back (called a "seagull").
Also, patients with osteochondrosis are advised to tilt their 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 "aj-aj-aj", "yes-yes" and "no-no". They are especially recommended for those who have the so-called "widow's coat of arms" (also known as "house roller") - swelling in the area of the 7th cervical vertebra.
It is better to hold the first few hours under the guidance of a physical therapy specialist. He will teach you how to perform the exercises properly, 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 implementation of such a complex (in accordance with all the rules) will not require more than 20 minutes. So, it is obvious - it is better to start exercising quickly than to endure all the hardships prepared for patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is a disease that a doctor cannot cure. Without the active participation of the patient in the treatment process, he cannot. But if you start doing therapeutic exercises on time, you can avoid the unpleasant manifestations of osteochondrosis for a long time.