As part of complex treatment, patients with cervical osteochondrosis are prescribed therapeutic physical education (PT).The benefits of physical exercise include improving blood circulation and metabolic processes at the tissue level, increasing joint mobility, increasing the resistance of the back and neck muscles and the flexibility of the ligaments.A rehabilitation medicine specialist selects a set of exercises, taking into account the medical history of a particular patient.At an early stage, exercises are performed strictly under the supervision of a specialist;Later, independent training is possible.
The task of exercise therapy is to restore the general physical condition and lost functions of a certain segment, strengthen the muscle corset, slow down degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structures of the spine and prevent complications.Therapeutic exercise helps reduce pain during exacerbations, eliminate signs of inflammation, and increase the range of motion of the spine.Since osteochondrosis is one of the aging processes of the body and occurs in almost all people with age, exercise therapy is considered a prevention of cervical osteochondrosis.
Exercise technique at different stages of cervical osteochondrosis.
The program includes a complex of therapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis to treat the disease during exacerbation, during the recovery stage and prevent 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 the hands of another person or with the help of mechanisms.
Exercise therapy for exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out in the form of relaxation and stretching exercises without tension on the spine.Before starting classes, 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 to increase the intervertebral distance, reduce the load on the discs and spinal canal, and improve blood flow to the cervical vertebrae.
As pain and inflammation decrease and overall health improves, increase training time and change the program.A physiotherapy specialist recommends more intense 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 exercises, gradually increasing the load.
Appointment from a specialist
There is a complex of extremely delicate exercises that can be selected even as part of a remote telemedicine consultation.For example, for the cervical region: light exercises aimed at relaxation.
How to do exercises correctly.
Physiotherapy classes for cervical osteochondrosis are carried out individually or in groups, which are formed taking into account the profile of the disease.A rehabilitation medicine specialist selects a series of exercises.He also monitors the correctness of the exercise technique, the 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 5 to 15 sessions, after which they continue to study independently at home.
Gymnastics classes can be done on exercise machines, in a swimming pool, in premises specially equipped for physical education, or outdoors.For exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to choose loose, comfortable clothing so that it does not put pressure on the neck or limit movement.
The exercises should not cause discomfort or pain.Increased pain during exercise indicates too much exercise duration, improper loading, or incorrect technique.If discomfort and pain still appear, exercise should be discontinued.
All movements are soft and slow, combined with breathing exercises.The amplitude of movements and the number of repetitions are gradually increased, then strength loads are added.To achieve a positive dynamic, the regularity of classes is important.To obtain the best effect in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to combine therapeutic exercises with pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture and reflexology.
Contraindications to 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 compression of brain tissue, abscesses, hematomas.Intense and strenuous exercises are not prescribed during the period of exacerbation of the disease, with severe and unbearable pain.
Examples of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy classes for cervical osteochondrosis are carried out in three stages: warm-up, main part and relaxation exercises.Below, for information purposes, the most popular therapeutic exercises and the technique to perform them are presented.
Complex for warming up the upper part of the shoulder girdle.
Exercise 1. Starting position: standing.With your arms bent at the elbows and your hands touching your shoulders, slowly perform rotational movements in one direction and then in the opposite direction, 10 to 15 times in each direction.
Exercise 2. In the starting position, standing, with your arms bent at the elbow joint, your fingers closed into a fist and at shoulder level.On the count of one, we extend our arms to the sides, extending them at the level of the elbow joint;On the count of two we return to the initial position.Repeat the exercise 15 to 20 times.
The main part of gymnastics.
Exercise 1. Starting position: lying face down.The arms are straight, extended behind the head and resting on the floor.Slowly we begin to raise our head and torso, keeping our back straight.We stay in this position for a minute and little by little we return to the initial position.Repeat the exercise 2-3 times.
Exercise 2. Put your fingers in a lock, apply them to your forehead, while pressing your palms to your forehead, and apply resistance to your palms with your forehead for 30 seconds.The head and neck are straight, only the muscles work.Repeat 5 times.Next, perform the exercise 5 more times, pressing with your hands together on the back of your neck.
Exercise 3. Slow head rotations 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. Stand with your arms straight at your sides and your shoulders straight in the correct position.On the count of one we bring the shoulders forward, on the count of two we return them to the initial position, on the count of three we take them back.Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Exercise 2. Starting position standing.We raise our shoulders, keep them in this position for a few seconds, lower them and relax.Repeat the exercises 5 to 10 times.
Examples of exercises for the neck from Butrimov.
Butrimov's gymnastics does not involve the same type of exercises;Each exercise is an art of maintaining and strengthening the muscles of the cervical spine:
- Gently pull your chin forward and then slowly pull it toward your neck.This is a muscle stretching movement, it is important to achieve maximum effect without pain.
- We turn our head left and right, with each movement we stretch our neck towards the shoulder joint.
- Turn your head left and right, bringing your chin toward your shoulder.
- We lower our head, stretch our chin towards the chest, stretching the cervicothoracic region, slightly raise the crown of our head, gently return to the starting position and move our head back, while raising our chin.
- Turning head back and forth, trying to move head back and look behind.The gaze is directed behind the back, trying to see the full image behind.
- Tilt your head down, from this position we gently turn your head to the left and then to the right.During the movements, we raise the top of the head at an angle of +- 45 degrees, the gaze is directed upward.
- Tilt your head to the side towards the shoulder joint and extend the crown.We perform the exercises alternately on the right shoulder and then on the left.
- We put the head into the neck and perform a circular rotation from one shoulder to the other: in a circle we reach the left shoulder, we put the head back in and reach the right shoulder.The shoulders are straight and relaxed.
- Lean slightly to the left and right, looking down at the ground.
Some exercises can be combined into one.The average duration of classes with Dr. Butrimov's method 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, concomitant treatment, proper selection of exercises and their implementation, and lifestyle.