Cervical osteochondrosis is a common disease that causes many unpleasant symptoms and significantly reduces the quality of life.A cure without surgery is almost impossible.But you can stop the development of the process and eliminate a significant part of the symptoms.Only physiotherapy can help here.
Prescription of therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of bone and cartilage tissue (intervertebral discs) of the spine.This causes the intervertebral discs to deform, protrude between the vertebrae and growths form on the vertebral body.
As a result, nerve endings are pinched, blood vessels running along the spine are pinched, and surrounding tissue is injured by bone outgrowths.Poor blood supply and immobility due to pain accelerate the development of pathology.As a result, the patient receives a whole “bouquet” of unpleasant symptoms:
- Stinging pain (“lumbago”)
- Visual and hearing impairments.
- Dizziness.
- Changes in intracranial pressure.
- fainting.
- Attacks of nausea.
- Limited mobility in the neck area.
Medication can reduce inflammation and pain.However, they are unable to free the pinched nerve roots and blood vessels, move the intervertebral discs into the correct position and restore mobility.This can only be achieved through special exercises.Therefore, therapeutic exercises are the most important component of the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Notes on the use of gymnastics
Therapeutic exercises are useful at any stage of osteochondrosis (there are four of them in this disease).However, it only produces noticeable results in the initial stages.The presence of the disease and its stage are determined by the doctor.The reason for examining and performing therapeutic exercises should be any of the above symptoms, as well as a crunch 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 significantly “younger” and appears even in adolescents.The reason is prolonged immobile sitting at the computer or at a table.Therefore, even healthy young people would be well advised to study a series of exercises for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis and perform them for prevention.You don't need any equipment or sportswear;You can do this during your lunch break or instead of a “smoke break.”
Contraindications to therapeutic exercises
This does not mean that physiotherapy can be done at any time and by anyone.Osteochondrosis can occur in the acute, subacute and remission stages.The acute stage is characterized by the obvious manifestation of several symptoms of the disease (they appear in different degrees in different people) and inevitably by severe pain when moving.
In the acute stage 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.Physical exercise is strictly contraindicated.
You can only start gymnastics in the subacute stage.When moving the neck, there should be no severe pain, dizziness, “flies” in front of the eyes, or tinnitus.Mild discomfort is acceptable.The following also apply as contraindications:
- Serious blood pressure disorders.
- Malignant tumors.
- Febrile conditions.
Classes during the remission period are mandatory (at least three times a week).If treatment is started early, there is a possibility that, with a conscious approach to physiotherapy, the acute stage of the disease will not recur for many years.
Rules for conducting therapeutic exercises
Exercises for patients with cervical osteochondrosis are simple.They represent movements of the head, shoulders and arms. However, they should be performed adhering to a number of rules.Only in this case will they give results.
- Before starting training, the muscles must be warmed up.The easiest way to do this is through self-massage.
- Movements must be carried out with the greatest possible amplitude.It may be small at first, but with practice it should increase.
- Movements should be smooth and without jerking.
- The number of repetitions of each exercise is 5-10 times.If it is symmetrical, the repetitions in each direction are counted separately.
- You can do gymnastics sitting (with your back on the back of a chair or chair) or standing.The former is even better, allowing you to do gymnastics in the comfort of your desk in the office.
- There should be no breaks in class.An exception is the transition of osteochondrosis to the acute stage or the occurrence of an illness accompanied by a high fever.
- You should tolerate mild discomfort (mild pain, pulling sensation, crunching), especially at the beginning of class.However, if severe pain or other severe symptoms of osteochondrosis occur, you should immediately stop exercising and see a doctor as soon as possible.
Doctors often recommend performing 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 it at other times.It is important not to miss classes at all.
If you do not follow the exercise rules listed above, gymnastics not only will not help, but can also lead to the opposite result.An incorrect movement can lead to a pinched nerve or disc displacement.
The main exercises for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Today there are many systems for treating osteochondrosis using physiotherapy.You can make the choice yourself or on the advice of a doctor - all systems give results.Almost all complexes also contain some basic exercises.
- Tilt the head towards the shoulders.
- Turns to the side (in this case you need to pull your chin to your shoulder).
- Turn to the side and at the same time place your palm on the opposite shoulder.
- Bends back and forth.It is good if, when leaning back, your head presses on the headrest of a chair or chair, overcoming slight resistance.
- Raising and lowering the shoulders.
- Tilt your head towards your shoulder and at the same time lift your other shoulder.
- Stretch the neck forward and move it backwards (so-called “chick peeking out of the nest”).
- Stretch your neck forward and then turn your head to the side (“goose”).
- Tilting and turning the head to the side with the arms raised and brought together above the head (called “Fakir”).
- Stretch your neck forward and up while simultaneously moving your straight arms behind your back (called a “seagull”).
Also, patients with osteochondrosis are recommended to tilt their head to the side and forward, as well as turn to the side with a very small amplitude.The number of repetitions in such cases should be larger (at least 10 times).These exercises are sometimes called “Ay-Ay-Ay,” “Yes-Yes,” and “No-No.”They are particularly recommended for patients with the so-called “widow’s hump” (also called “housewife’s hump”) – a swelling in the area of the 7th cervical vertebra.
It is better if the first courses are carried out under the guidance of a physiotherapy specialist.He will show you how to do the exercises correctly, and the patient can then do them themselves.If it is difficult to reach such a specialist, you can use the video tutorial.
Completing such a complex (observing all the rules) will take no more than 20 minutes.So it is obvious that it is better to start training quickly than to endure all the hardships that lie ahead for patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is a disease that a doctor cannot cure.He cannot do without the patient's active participation in the treatment process.However, if you start therapeutic exercises in a timely manner, you can avoid the unpleasant manifestations of osteochondrosis for a long time.