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 physiotherapy can help with this.
Prescription of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of bone and cartilaginous tissues (intervertebral discs) of the spine.As a result, their discs become deformed, protrude between the vertebrae, and growths form on the body of the vertebrae.
As a result, nerve endings are compressed, blood vessels running along the spine are compressed, and surrounding tissues are injured by bony protrusions.Insufficient blood supply and immobility due to pain accelerate the development of pathology.As a result, the patient receives a whole “bouquet” of unpleasant symptoms:
- Sharp pain (“lumbago”)
- Visual and hearing impairments.
- Dizziness.
- Changes in intracranial pressure.
- Fainting.
- Nausea attacks.
- Restricted mobility in the neck region.
Medications can reduce inflammation and pain.But they are not able to release compressed nerve roots and blood vessels, bring intervertebral discs into the correct position and restore mobility.Only special exercises can do this.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 (this disease has four of them).However, it gives visible results only in the initial stages.The presence of the disease and its stage are determined by the doctor.The reason for carrying out the examination and carrying out therapeutic exercises must be one of the above symptoms, as well as a clicking sensation in the neck when moving.
Previously, cervical osteochondrosis was considered a disease of people of mature age (from 40 to 45 years old), but in recent years it has become markedly “younger” and is found 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 set of exercises indicated for cervical osteochondrosis and perform them for prevention purposes.You don't need any equipment or sportswear for this;you can do this during your lunch hour or instead of a “smoke break”.
Contraindications to therapeutic exercises
This does not mean that physiotherapy can be done whenever and by anyone.Osteochondrosis can be in the acute, subacute and remission stages.The acute phase is characterized by the obvious manifestation of several symptoms of the disease (they occur in different sets in different people) and, necessarily, severe pain when moving.
In the acute phase of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to relieve pain and inflammation with the help of medications (prescribed by the doctor) and physiotherapeutic procedures in the clinic.The practice of physical exercise is strictly contraindicated.
Only in the subacute phase can you start doing gymnastics.When moving the neck, there should be no sharp pains, dizziness, “flies” in front of the eyes or tinnitus.A little discomfort is acceptable.The following are also contraindications:
- Severe blood pressure disorders.
- Malignant tumors.
- Feverish conditions.
Classes during the remission phase are mandatory (at least 3 times a week).If treatment is started early, there is a possibility that, with a conscious attitude towards physiotherapy, the acute stage of the disease will take many years to return.
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, the muscles need to be warmed up.The easiest way to do this is through self-massage.
- Movements must be performed 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 it is symmetrical, repetitions are counted separately in each direction.
- You can do gymnastics sitting (with your back necessarily supported by 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 place of work.
- There should be no interruptions in classes.The exception is the transition of osteochondrosis to the acute stage or the appearance of a disease accompanied by a high fever.
- You must tolerate minor discomforts (slight pain, pulling sensation, crushing), especially at the beginning of classes.But if sharp pains or other serious symptoms of osteochondrosis appear, you should immediately stop exercising and see a doctor as soon as possible.
Doctors generally recommend doing therapeutic exercises at the same time.Compliance with this rule is desirable, but not mandatory.If for some reason you cannot study at the same time, you can do so at different times.It is important not to miss classes.
If you do not follow the exercise rules listed above, gymnastics will not only not help, but can also give the opposite result.An incorrectly executed movement can cause a pinched nerve or a displaced intervertebral disc.
The main set of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Today there are many systems for treating osteochondrosis through physiotherapy.You can make the choice yourself or on the advice of a doctor - all systems give results.There are also several basic exercises included in almost every complex.
- Tilts from head to shoulders.
- Turns to the sides (in this case, it is necessary to pull the chin to the shoulder).
- Turn sideways while simultaneously placing your palm on the opposite shoulder.
- Folds back and forth.It is good if, when leaning back, your head presses against the back of a chair or chair, overcoming a slight resistance.
- Raising and lowering the shoulders.
- Tilt your head toward your shoulder while simultaneously lifting your other shoulder.
- Stretching the neck forward and moving it backwards (called “chick peeking out of the nest”).
- Stretching the neck forward followed by turning the head to the side (called “goose-stepping”).
- Tilts and turns of the head to the sides with the arms raised and joined above the head (called “fakir”).
- Stretching your neck forward and upward while simultaneously moving your arms straight behind your back (called a “seagull”).
Furthermore, it is recommended that patients with osteochondrosis tilt their head to the sides and forward, in addition to turning to the sides with a very small range.The number of repetitions in these 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 region of the 7th cervical vertebra.
It is best if the first classes are held under the guidance of a physiotherapy specialist.He will teach you how to do the exercises correctly, and then the patient can do them alone.If it is difficult to reach this specialist, you can use the video tutorial.
Completing such a complex (in compliance with all the rules) will take no more than 20 minutes.Therefore, it is obvious that it is better to start exercising quickly than to endure all the problems that await patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is a disease that doctors cannot cure.He cannot do without the patient's active participation in the treatment process.But, if you start doing therapeutic exercises on time, you can avoid the unpleasant manifestations of osteochondrosis for a long time.