Cervical osteochondrosis is a common disease that causes many unpleasant symptoms and significantly deteriorates 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 physiotherapy can remedy this.
Appointment of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of bone and cartilage tissue (intervertebral discs) of the spine. As a result, his discs are deformed, bulging between the vertebrae, growths form on the body of the vertebrae.
As a result, nerve endings are pinched, blood vessels passing along the spine are pinched, and surrounding tissues are injured by bony 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.
- Vertigo.
- Changes in intracranial pressure.
- Fainting.
- Attacks of nausea.
- Limited mobility in the neck.
Medicines can reduce inflammation and pain. But they are not able to release the restrained nerve roots and blood vessels, place the intervertebral discs in the correct position and restore mobility. He can only special exercises. Therefore, therapeutic exercises are the most important element of the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Indications for the use of gymnastics
Therapeutic exercises are useful at all stages of osteochondrosis (there are four in this disease). However, it only gives noticeable results 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 one of the symptoms listed above, as well as a cracking sound in the neck when moving.
Previously, cervical osteochondrosis was considered a disease of middle-aged people (from 40 to 45 years old), but in recent years it is significantly "younger" and occurs even in adolescents. The reason is prolonged immobility sitting at a computer or at a table. Therefore, even healthy young people do not hurt to study the presented set of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis and perform it for the purpose of prevention. It does not require any equipment and sportswear, you can do it at lunchtime or instead of a "smoke break".
Contraindications to therapeutic exercises
This does not mean that physiotherapy exercises can be done at any time and by anyone. Osteochondrosis can be in the acute, subacute and remission stage. The acute phase is characterized by a clear manifestation of several symptoms of the disease (they occur in different people in a different set) 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 medications (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" before the eyes, noise in the ears. A slight discomfort is acceptable. Also contraindicated:
- Serious blood pressure disorders.
- Malignant tumors.
- Feverish conditions.
Classes in the remission stage are mandatory (at least 3 times a week). If treatment is started at an early stage, it is possible 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. These are movements of the head, shoulders and arms. But they must be carried out according to a number of rules. Only in this case they will give a result.
- Before starting training, the muscles must be warmed up. The easiest way to achieve this is self-massage.
- Movements should be performed with the greatest possible amplitude. It may be small at first, but should increase as you progress.
- The movements must be fluid, without jerks.
- 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 seated (with compulsory back support on the back of a chair or an armchair) or standing. The former is even better, so it is convenient to do gymnastics in the office at the workplace.
- There should be no breaks in class. An exception is the transition of osteochondrosis to an acute stage or the onset of a disease accompanied by a high temperature.
- A slight discomfort must be tolerated (light and not very acute pain, feeling of tightness, cracking), especially at the beginning of the lessons. But if there is a sharp pain or other pronounced symptoms of osteochondrosis, you should immediately stop exercising and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Often, doctors recommend doing therapeutic exercises always at the same time. Compliance with 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 class at all.
If you do not follow the rules of the classes listed above, gymnastics not only will not help, but can also give the opposite result. A poorly executed 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 on your own 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 the head towards the shoulders.
- Turns to the sides (in this case, you need to pull your chin to your shoulder).
- Turns to the sides with simultaneous application of the palm to the opposite shoulder.
- Tilts back and forth. It is good if, when tilting back, the head presses on the headrest of a chair or chair, overcoming a slight resistance.
- Raise and lower your shoulders.
- Tilt your head towards the shoulder while lifting the other shoulder.
- Stretching the neck forward and pulling it back (called "chick peeking out of the nest").
- Stretch the neck forward, then turn the head to the side (called "goose").
- Tilts and rotations of the head to the sides with the arms raised and close together above the head (called "fakir").
- Stretch the neck forward and upward with the simultaneous abduction of the outstretched arms behind the back (called the "seagull").
In addition, patients with osteochondrosis are recommended to tilt their heads to the sides and forward, as well as to turn to the sides with a very small amplitude. The number of repetitions in such cases should be more (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 bump" (aka "housewife's roll") - swelling in the region of the 7th cervical vertebra.
It is best if the first classes are conducted under the guidance of a physiotherapy specialist. He will teach you how to perform the exercises correctly, and then the patient himself can do it. If it is difficult to get to such a specialist, you can use the video tutorial.
The implementation of such a complex (in compliance with all the rules) will require no more than 20 minutes. So it is obvious that it is better to start exercising quickly than to endure all the troubles 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 can do nothing. But, if you start doing therapeutic exercises in time, you can avoid unpleasant manifestations of osteochondrosis for a long time.