As part of complex treatment, patients with cervical osteochondrosis are prescribed therapeutic physical education (PT).The benefits of physical exercise include improving circulation and metabolic processes at the tissue level, increasing joint mobility, increasing back and neck muscle endurance, and ligament flexibility.A set of exercises is selected by a specialist in rehabilitation medicine, taking into account the history of a specific patient.In the early stage, exercises are performed strictly under the supervision of experts;later, independent training is possible.
The task of exercise therapy is to restore general physical fitness and lost functions of a certain segment, strengthen the muscle corset, slow down degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structures of the spinal column and prevent complications.Therapeutic exercises help reduce pain during exacerbations, remove signs of inflammation and increase range of motion in the spine.Since osteochondrosis is one of the aging processes of the body, and it occurs in almost everyone with age, exercise therapy is considered a prevention of cervical osteochondrosis.
Exercise technique in different stages of cervical osteochondrosis
A complex of therapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis is included in the program for the treatment of the disease during exacerbation, in the recovery phase and prevention of exacerbations during remission.Depending on the severity of the symptoms and structural changes in the tissues of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, the training program consists of active exercises, which are performed directly by the patient himself, and passive exercises - exercises that are performed with other people's hands or with the help of mechanisms.
Exercise therapy for exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis is performed in the form of relaxation and stretching exercises without loading the spine.Before starting the class, the patient can be given a relaxing massage to relieve pathological tension in the paravertebral muscles and warm up the muscles of the shoulder girdle before physical activity.The essence of the exercises is to stretch the spine along the axis in order to increase the intervertebral distance, reduce the load on the discs and the spinal canal, and improve blood flow to the cervical vertebrae.
As pain and inflammation decrease and overall health improves, increase your training time and change your program.The physical therapy specialist recommends more intensive exercises aimed at restoring motor activity and strengthening the muscles of the back and neck.At first, active exercises for the neck, limbs and torso alternate with relaxing ones, gradually increasing the load.
Expert quote
There is a complex of extremely delicate exercises that can be selected even as part of a telemedicine, remote consultation.For example, for the cervical region - light exercises aimed at relaxation.
How to do the exercises correctly
Cervical osteochondrosis physical therapy classes are conducted individually or in a group, which are formed taking into account the profile of the disease.A set of exercises is chosen by a specialist in rehabilitation medicine.It also monitors the correctness of the exercise technique, compliance of the load with the patient's capabilities and the dynamics of recovery.On average, a course of exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes from 5 to 15 sessions, after which they continue to study independently at home.
Gymnastics classes can be performed on exercise equipment, in the pool, specially equipped rooms for physical culture or in the fresh air.For exercise therapy of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to choose loose and comfortable clothes so that they do not put pressure on the neck or restrict movement.
Exercises should not cause discomfort or pain.Increased pain during exercise indicates too long exercise duration, inadequate load or incorrect technique.If discomfort and pain still occur, you must stop the exercise.
All movements are smooth and slow, combined with breathing exercises.The range of motion and the number of repetitions are gradually increased, then strength loads are added.In order to achieve positive dynamics, the regularity of classes is important.For the best effect in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to combine therapeutic exercises with drug therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture and reflexology.
Contraindications for exercise therapy
Contraindications are few and often temporary.Exercise therapy is not recommended in the acute period of injury, in the presence of neoplasms of the spinal cord and spine, in conditions of brain tissue compression, abscess, hematoma.Intensive and strenuous exercises are not prescribed during the period of exacerbation of the disease, with strong, unbearable pain.
Examples of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis therapy exercise classes take place in three phases: warm-up, main part and relaxation exercises.Below, for informational purposes, the most popular therapeutic exercises and the technique for performing them are presented.
Complex for warming up the upper part of the shoulder girdle
Exercise 1. Starting position - standing.Arms bent at the elbows, hands touching the shoulders, slowly perform rotational movements in one direction, then in the opposite direction, 10-15 times in each direction.
Exercise 2. In the starting position, standing, arms bent at the elbows, fingers clenched into fists, at shoulder level.On number one, let's spread our arms to the side, extending them at the elbow joint;on number two, we return to the starting position.Repeat the exercise 15-20 times.
The main part of gymnastics
Exercise 1. Starting position - lying on your stomach.The arms are straight, extended behind the head, resting on the floor.Slowly we begin to raise the head and torso, keeping the back straight.We stay in this position for a minute and slowly return to the starting position.Repeat the exercise 2-3 times.
Exercise 2. Put your fingers in a strand, apply it to your forehead, while pressing your palms to your forehead, and resist your palms with your forehead for 30 seconds.The head and neck are straight, only the muscles work.Repeat 5 times.Then perform the exercise 5 more times, pressing the folded hands on the back of the head.
Exercise 3. Slowly turning the head in different directions, 10 times in each direction.Be careful not to get dizzy.If dizziness occurs, you should stop exercising.
Relaxation exercises
Exercise 1. In a standing position, arms extended to the sides, shoulders straightened in the correct position.On one we pull the shoulders forward, on two we return them to the starting position, on three we return them back.Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Exercise 2. Starting position standing.We raise our shoulders up, hold them in this position for a few seconds, lower them and relax.Repeat the exercises 5-10 times.
Examples of exercises for Butrim's neck
Butrim's gymnastics does not imply the same type of exercises;each exercise is the art of maintaining and strengthening the muscles of the cervical spine:
- Gently pull your chin forward, then slowly pull it back into your neck.This is a muscle stretching movement, it is important to achieve maximum effect without pain.
- Turn your head left and right, with each movement stretch your neck towards your shoulder joint.
- Turn your head left and right, pulling your chin towards your shoulder.
- We lower the head down, extend the chin to the chest, stretching the cervicothoracic part, gently pull the crown upwards, smoothly return to the initial position and move the head back, while lifting the chin upwards.
- Turning your head back and forth, trying to move your head back and look behind you.The gaze is directed behind the back, trying to see the whole picture behind.
- Tilt your head down, from this position we smoothly turn your head to the left and then to the right.During the movement, we pull the top of the head upwards at an angle of +- 45 degrees, the gaze is directed upwards.
- Tilt your head to the side towards your shoulder joint and stretch your scalp.We perform the exercises alternately on the right and left shoulders.
- We pull the head into the neck and perform a circular rotation from one shoulder to the other: in a circle we reach for the left shoulder, pull the head in again, reach for the right shoulder.The shoulders are straight and relaxed.
- Lean left and right slightly, looking down at the ground.
Some exercises can be combined into one.The average duration of classes according to the method of dr.Butrimova is 12-15 minutes.Provided that gymnastic exercises are performed regularly, positive dynamics are possible after 4-5 months.Recovery time is individual and depends on the development and course of cervical osteochondrosis, simultaneous treatment, proper selection of exercises and their performance, and lifestyle.