Cervical osteochondrosis is a common disease that causes many unpleasant symptoms and significantly worsens the quality of life. It is almost impossible to treat 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.
Prescribing therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degeneration of bone and cartilage (intervertebral discs) tissue of the spine. As a result, its discs are deformed, there is a bulge between the vertebrae, and growths appear on the body of the vertebrae.
As a result, the nerve endings are compressed, the blood vessels running along the spine are constricted, and the surrounding tissues are damaged by bone protrusions. Poor blood supply and inactivity 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 disorders.
- Vertigo.
- Changes in intracranial pressure.
- Don't faint.
- Nausea attacks.
- Limited mobility in the neck.
Medications can reduce inflammation and pain. However, they are unable to release nerve roots and blood vessels, restore intervertebral discs, and restore mobility. You can only do special exercises. Therefore, therapeutic exercise is the most important component in the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Instructions for using gymnastics
Therapeutic exercises are useful in any stage of osteochondrosis (there are four of them in this disease). However, it gives noticeable results only at the initial stage. The presence of the disease and its stage is determined by a doctor. The reason for undergoing the examination and performing therapeutic exercises should be any of the symptoms listed above, as well as a crisis in the neck while moving.
Previously, cervical osteochondrosis was considered a disease of adults (40-45 years), but in recent years it has become acutely "young" and occurs even in adolescents. The reason is sitting motionless at the computer or desk for a long time. Therefore, even healthy young people are not harmed to learn the set of exercises indicated for cervical osteochondrosis and perform them for prophylactic purposes. No equipment or sportswear is required, you can do it instead of lunch or 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 acute, subacute and in remission. The acute stage is characterized by a clear manifestation of several symptoms of the disease (they occur in different people in different sets) and, of course, with severe pain when moving.
In the acute stage of osteochondrosis, pain and inflammation should be relieved with the help of medications (they will be prescribed by a doctor) and physiotherapy procedures in the clinic. Physical education is strictly contraindicated.
You can only start gymnastics in the subacute phase. When moving the neck, there should be no sharp pain, dizziness, "planes" in front of the eyes, noise in the ears. Minor concerns are accepted. Also contraindicated:
- Serious disorders of blood pressure.
- Malignant tumors.
- Fever conditions.
Lessons in remission are required (at least 3 times a week). If treatment is started at an early stage, there is a chance that the acute phase of the disease will not return for many years with a conscious approach to physiotherapy exercises.
Rules of therapeutic exercises
Exercises for patients with cervical osteochondrosis are simple. These are the movements of the head, shoulders and arms. But it must be done by following a number of rules. Only then will they give results.
- Muscles should be warmed up before training. The easiest way to do this is to massage yourself.
- The movements should 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 and without shaking.
- 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 while sitting (with mandatory back support behind a chair or armchair) or standing. The first is better, so it is convenient to do gymnastics in the office at work.
- There should be no breaks in the lesson. An exception is the appearance of an acute stage of osteochondrosis or a disease accompanied by fever.
- Especially at the beginning of classes, it is necessary to tolerate minor discomforts (severe mild pain, tingling sensation, tingling). However, if you have severe pain or other obvious signs of osteochondrosis, you should stop exercising immediately and see a doctor as soon as possible.
Doctors often recommend therapeutic exercises at the same time. It is desirable, but not required, to follow this rule. 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 miss classes at all.
If you do not follow the rules of the lessons listed above, gymnastics will not only help, but can have the opposite effect. Improper movement can cause nerve compression or dislocation of the intervertebral disc.
The basic set of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Today, there are many systems for the treatment of osteochondrosis with the help of physiotherapy exercises. The choice can be made by yourself or on the advice of a doctor - all systems work. There are several basic exercises that are included in almost all complexes.
- Bending the head to the shoulders.
- Turns to the sides (in this case, you need to pull your chin to your shoulder).
- Turns to the sides by applying the palm to the opposite shoulder at the same time.
- Bend back and forth. It is better to push the head of the chair or stool of the chair, overcoming some resistance when leaning back.
- Raising and lowering the shoulders.
- Bend your head to your shoulder while lifting your other shoulder.
- Extending the neck forward and backward (called "chick out of the nest").
- Extend the neck forward, then turn the head to the side (called "gas").
- Bending and turning to the sides with arms raised above the head and brought together over the head (called "fakir").
- Extend the neck forward and upward (called the "gull") by simultaneously abducting the straight arms behind the back.
Patients with osteochondrosis are also advised to tilt their heads to the sides and forward, as well as to turn to the sides with a very small amplitude. In such cases, the number of repetitions should be higher (at least 10 times). These exercises are sometimes called "ay-ay-ay", "yes-yes" and "no-no". It is especially recommended for those who have a "widow's hump" (aka "housewife's wheel") with swelling in the 7th cervical region.
The first few lessons are best done under the guidance of a physical therapist. He will teach you how to do the exercises correctly, and then the patient will be able to do it himself. If it is difficult to consult such a specialist, you can use the video guide.
Implementation of such a complex (according to all the rules) will not take more than 20 minutes. Thus, it is obvious - it is better to start exercising quickly than to endure all the difficulties prepared for patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is a disease that cannot be treated by a doctor. Without the active participation of the patient in the treatment process, he can not. However, if you start doing therapeutic exercises on time, you can avoid the unpleasant manifestations of osteochondrosis for a long time.