As part of complex treatment, patients with cervical osteochondrosis are prescribed therapeutic physical training (PT).The benefits of physical exercise include improving blood circulation and metabolic processes at the tissue level, increasing joint mobility, back and neck muscle endurance, and ligament flexibility.A set of exercises is selected by a rehabilitation medicine specialist, taking into account the medical history of a particular patient.In the early stages, the exercises are carried out strictly under the supervision of a specialist;then independent training is possible.
The task of exercise therapy is to restore general fitness 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, relieve symptoms of inflammation, and increase range of motion in the spine.Since osteochondrosis is one of the aging processes of the body and occurs in almost everyone with age, exercise therapy is considered as prevention of cervical osteochondrosis.
Exercise technique at different stages of cervical osteochondrosis
A complex of therapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis is included in the program to prevent exacerbations during disease exacerbation, recovery and remission.Depending on the severity of symptoms and structural changes in the tissues of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, the training program consists of active exercises performed directly by the patient himself and passive exercises - exercises performed with the help of someone else's hands or mechanisms.
Exercise therapy for exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out in the form of relaxing and stretching exercises without stress 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 exercise time and modify the program.A physical therapist recommends more intensive exercises aimed at restoring motor activity and strengthening back and neck muscles.At first, active exercises for the neck, limbs and trunk are replaced by relaxing exercises, gradually increasing the load.
A quote from an expert
There is even telemedicine, a complex of extremely subtle exercises that can be selected as part of a remote consultation.For example, for the cervical region - light exercises aimed at relaxation.
How to do exercises correctly
Physical therapy classes for cervical osteochondrosis are conducted individually or in groups formed taking into account the profile of the disease.A series of exercises is selected by a specialist in rehabilitation medicine.It also monitors the correctness of the exercise technique, the compliance of the load to the patient's capabilities, and the dynamics of recovery.On average, a course of exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine consists of 5 to 15 sessions, after which they continue to study independently at home.
Gymnastic exercises can be carried out on sports machines, in a swimming pool, in specially equipped rooms for physical training or in the fresh air.For exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to choose loose and comfortable clothes so that they do not put pressure on the neck and do not restrict movement.
Exercises should not cause discomfort and pain.Increased pain during exercise indicates the duration of exercise, inadequate load or wrong technique.If discomfort and pain still appear, you should stop the exercise.
All movements are smooth and slow, combined with breathing exercises.The amplitude of the movements and the number of repetitions gradually increase, and then strength loads are added.Regularity of classes is important to achieve positive dynamics.For the best effect in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to combine therapeutic exercises with drug treatment, physiotherapy, acupuncture and reflexology.
Contraindications to exercise therapy
Contraindications are few and often temporary.Exercise therapy is not recommended in the period of acute injury, presence of neoplasms of the spinal cord and spine, compression of brain tissue, abscess, hematoma.Intense and intense exercises are not prescribed during the exacerbation of the disease with severe, unbearable pain.
Examples of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy classes for cervical osteochondrosis take place in three stages: warm-up, the main part and relaxation exercises.Below are the most popular therapeutic exercises and their performance techniques for informational purposes.
Complex for heating the upper part of the shoulder girdle
Exercise 1. Starting position - standing.Arms bent at the elbows, hands touching the shoulders, slowly rotate 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 elbow joint, fingers clenched into fists and at shoulder level.With one count, we spread our arms to the sides, extend them at the elbow joint;we return to the starting position with a count of two.Repeat the exercise 15-20 times.
The main part of gymnastics
Exercise 1. Starting position - lying on the stomach.Arms are straight, behind the head, resting on the floor.Slowly, keeping our back straight, we begin to raise our head and torso.In this position, we lie down for a minute and slowly return to the starting position.Repeat the exercise 2-3 times.
Exercise 2. Place your fingers on the lock, press your palms to your forehead and resist your forehead and palms for 30 seconds.The head and neck are straight, only the muscles work.Repeat 5 times.Then perform the exercise 5 more times, clasping your hands behind your head.
Exercise 3. Slow rotations of 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. Standing, arms straight to the sides, shoulders in the right position.On a count of one, we move the shoulders forward, on a count of two, we return them to the starting position, on a count of three, we bring them back.Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Exercise 2. Starting position standing.We raise our shoulders, hold in this position for a few seconds, lower and relax.Repeat the exercises 5-10 times.
Examples of exercises for Butrimov's neck
Butrimov's gymnastics does not involve the same type of exercises;Each exercise is the art of protecting and strengthening the muscles of the cervical spine:
- Gently pull the chin forward, then slowly pull it back to the neck.This is a stretching movement of the muscles, it is important to get the maximum effect without pain.
- Turn the head left and right, with each movement we stretch the neck towards the shoulder joint.
- Turn your head left and right, pull your chin towards your shoulder.
- We lower our head, stretch our chin to our chest, stretch the cervicothoracic region, pull the crown up a little, smoothly return to the starting position and move our head back while lifting our chin.
- Try to look backwards and forwards, turning your head back and forth.The gaze is directed to the back, trying to see the whole scene behind.
- We bend the head down, from this position we smoothly turn the head to the left, then to the right.During the movements, we raise the upper part of the head at an angle of +- 45 degrees, the gaze is directed upwards.
- Tilt the head to the side towards the shoulder joint and stretch the crown.We perform the exercises alternately on the right and then on the left shoulder.
- We pull our head to our neck and perform a circular rotation from one shoulder to the other: in a circle we reach the left shoulder, pull our head back in, stretch to the right shoulder.Shoulders are straight and relaxed.
- Lowering your gaze to the ground, tilt slightly to the right and left.
Some exercises can be combined into one.The average duration of lessons with Dr. Butrimov's method is 12-15 minutes.Provided that gymnastic exercises are performed regularly, positive dynamics are possible after 4-5 months.The recovery period depends on the individual and the development and course of cervical osteochondrosis, the accompanying treatment, the correct selection of exercises and their implementation, and lifestyle.