As part of complex treatment, patients with cervical osteochondrosis are prescribed therapeutic physical education (PT).The benefits of physical exercise include improved blood circulation and metabolic processes at the tissue level, increased joint mobility, increased back and neck muscle endurance, and ligament flexibility.A set of exercises is selected by a specialist in rehabilitation medicine, taking into account the medical history of a particular patient.At an early stage, the 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 ability 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 exercises help reduce pain during flare-ups, eliminate signs of inflammation and increase the 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 a 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 for the treatment of the disease during exacerbation, during the recovery phase and prevention of exacerbations during 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, which are performed directly by the patient himself, and passive exercises - exercises are performed by someone else's hands or with the help of mechanisms.
Exercise therapy for worsening cervical osteochondrosis is performed 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 to 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 the spinal canal, and improve blood flow to the cervical vertebrae.
As pain and inflammation decrease and overall health improves, increase your exercise time and vary your program.A physical therapy specialist recommends more intensive exercises aimed at restoring motor activity and strengthening back and neck muscles.At first, active exercises for the neck, limbs and torso alternate with relaxing ones, gradually increasing the load.
Quotes from a specialist
There is a complex of extremely subtle exercises that can be selected even as part of a telemedicine remote consultation.For example, for the cervical region - light exercises aimed at relaxation.
How to do the exercises correctly
Physical therapy classes for cervical osteochondrosis are carried out individually or in groups, which are formed taking into account the profile of the disease.A group of exercises is selected by a specialist in rehabilitation medicine.It also monitors the correctness of the training technique, the matching of the load with the patient's abilities and the dynamics of recovery.On average, a course of exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes from 5 to 15 sessions, after which they continue to study independently at home.
Gymnastics classes can take place on exercise machines, in the swimming pool, specially equipped facilities for physical education or in the fresh air.For exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to choose loose and comfortable clothing so as not to put pressure on the neck or restrict movement.
Exercises should not cause discomfort or pain.Increased pain during training indicates excessive training duration, inadequate load or incorrect technique.If discomfort and pain still occur, you should stop exercising.
All movements are soft and slow, combined with breathing exercises.The amplitude of movements and the number of repetitions are gradually increased, then force loads are added.To achieve a positive dynamic, regularity of hours is important.For the best effect in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to combine therapeutic exercises with drug therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture and reflexology.
Contraindications for exercise therapy
Contraindications are few and often temporary.Exercise therapy is not recommended in the acute period of damage, in the presence of neoplasms of the spinal cord and spine, in conditions of compression of brain tissue, abscess, hematoma.During the period of aggravation of the disease, with strong, unbearable pain, intense and strenuous exercises are not prescribed.
Examples of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy classes for cervical osteochondrosis take place in three stages: warm-up, main part and relaxation exercises.Below, for informational purposes, the most popular therapeutic exercises and the technique of performing them are presented.
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 make rotating movements 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 are at shoulder level.On the count of one, we stretch our arms to the sides, stretching them at the elbow joint;on the count of two, we return to the starting position.Repeat the exercise 15-20 times.
The main part of gymnastics
Exercise 1. Initial position - lying on the stomach.Arms are straight, stretched behind the head, resting on the floor.Slowly we begin to raise the head and torso, keeping the back straight.We stay in this position for a minute and slowly return to the starting position.Repeat the exercise 2-3 times.
Exercise 2. Put your fingers in a lock, apply it to your forehead, while pressing your palms on your forehead and make resistance in your palms with your forehead for 30 seconds.The head and neck are straight, only the muscles work.Repeat 5 times.Then, perform the exercise 5 more times, pressing with clenched hands on the back of the 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. In a standing position, arms straight at your sides, 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 starting position, on the count of three we return them again.Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Exercise 2. Initial standing position.We raise our shoulders up, hold them in this position for a few seconds, lower them and relax.Repeat the exercises 5-10 times.
Examples of exercises for Butrimov's neck
Butrimov's gymnastics does not mean the same type of exercises;each exercise is an art of maintaining and strengthening the muscles of the cervical spine:
- Carefully pull your chin forward, then slowly pull it back to your neck.This is a muscle stretching movement, it is important to achieve the maximum effect without pain.
- Turn your head left and right, with each movement we stretch the neck towards the shoulder joint.
- Turn your head left and right, pulling your chin towards your shoulder.
- We lower the head down, stretch the chin to the chest, stretching the cervical region, pull the crown up a little, smoothly return to the starting position and move the head back, lifting the chin up.
- Turning your head back and forth, trying to move your head back and look back.The gaze is directed behind the back, trying to see the whole scene behind.
- Bend your head down, from this position we smoothly turn your head to the left, then to the right.During the movements, we pull the top of the head up at an angle of +- 45 degrees, the gaze is directed upwards.
- Tilt your 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 the head to the neck and make a circular rotation from one shoulder to the other: in a circle we reach the left shoulder, pull the head back, reach the right shoulder.Shoulders are straight and relaxed.
- Lean slightly to the left and right, lowering your gaze to the ground.
Several exercises can be combined into one.The average duration of hours with the method of Dr.Butrimov 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 progress of cervical osteochondrosis, accompanying treatment, proper selection of exercises and their implementation, and lifestyle.