As part of complex treatment, patients with cervical osteochondrosis are prescribed therapeutic physiotherapy (PT).The benefits of physical exercise include improving blood circulation and metabolic processes at the tissue level, increasing joint mobility, increasing the endurance of the back and neck muscles, and flexibility of the ligaments.A set of exercises is selected by a rehabilitation medicine specialist taking into account the medical history of a particular patient.At an early stage, the exercises are carried out exclusively under the supervision of a specialist;Independent training is possible later.
The task of exercise therapy is to restore general physical fitness and lost functions of a specific segment, strengthen the muscle corset, slow down degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structures of the spine and prevent complications.Therapeutic exercises help to relieve pain during exacerbations, eliminate signs of inflammation, and increase spinal mobility.Since osteochondrosis is one of the aging processes of the body and occurs in almost everyone as we age, exercise therapy is considered a prevention against cervical osteochondrosis.
Exercise technique at different stages of cervical osteochondrosis
The program includes a complex of therapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis to treat the disease during exacerbation, during the recovery period and to prevent exacerbations during remission.Depending on the severity of the 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 by someone else's hands or with the help of mechanisms.
Exercise therapy for exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out in the form of relaxation and stretching exercises without loading 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 intervertebral discs and spinal canal, and improve blood circulation in the cervical vertebrae.
As pain and inflammation subside and overall health improves, increase exercise time and change the program.A physical therapist recommends more intense exercises to restore motor activity and strengthen the back and neck muscles.First, active exercises for the neck, limbs and torso alternate with relaxing exercises, with the load gradually increasing.
Quote from a specialist
There are a number of extremely delicate exercises that can also be selected as part of a remote telemedicine consultation.For example, for the cervical spine – light exercises for relaxation.
How to do exercises correctly
Physiotherapy courses for cervical osteochondrosis are carried out individually or in a group, drawn up taking into account the profile of the disease.A set of exercises is selected by a rehabilitation medicine specialist.He also monitors the correctness of the exercise technique, the correspondence of the load with the patient's capabilities and the dynamics of recovery.On average, exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes 5 to 15 sessions, after which training continues independently at home.
Gymnastics classes can be held on exercise equipment, in the swimming pool, in rooms specially equipped for physical education classes, or in the fresh air.For exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to choose loose and comfortable clothing so that it does not press on the neck or restrict movement.
Exercises should not cause discomfort or pain.Increasing pain during training indicates that the training duration is too long, insufficient load or incorrect technique.If discomfort and pain continue, you must stop the exercise.
All movements are gentle and slow, combined with breathing exercises.The amplitude of movements and the number of repetitions are gradually increased, then force loads are added.In order to achieve positive dynamics, the regularity of classes 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 to exercise therapy
Contraindications are rare and often temporary.Exercise therapy is not recommended in the acute phase of injury, with neoplasms of the spinal cord and spine, with compression of brain tissue, abscess, hematoma.During the exacerbation of the disease with severe, unbearable pain, intense and strenuous exercises are not prescribed.
Examples of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy courses for cervical osteochondrosis take place in three phases: warm-up, main part and relaxation exercises.Below, for informational purposes, the most popular therapeutic exercises and the technique for performing them are presented.
Complex for warming up the upper part of the shoulder girdle
Exercise 1. Starting position – standing.Arms bent at the elbows, hands touching the shoulders, slowly perform rotational movements in one direction, then in the opposite direction, 10-15 times in each direction.
Exercise 2. Standing in the starting position, arms bent at the elbow joint, fingers clenched into a fist and at shoulder height.On the count of one, we spread our arms to the sides and stretch them out 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. Starting position – lying on your stomach.The arms are extended, extended behind the head and resting on the floor.We slowly begin to lift our head and upper body while keeping our 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. Place your fingers in a lock, apply them to your forehead while pressing your palms to your forehead, and apply resistance to your palms with your forehead for 30 seconds.The head and neck are straight, only the muscles are working.Repeat 5 times.Then do the exercise five more times, pressing on the back of your head with folded hands.
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 stretched out to the sides, shoulders straight in the correct position.On one we bring the shoulders forward, on two we bring them back to the starting position, on three we bring them back.Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Exercise 2. Starting position standing.We raise our shoulders, 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 involve the same type of exercises;Every exercise is an art to maintain and strengthen the muscles of the cervical spine:
- Gently pull your chin forward and then slowly back into your neck.This is a stretching movement of the muscles in which the aim is to achieve 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 toward your shoulder.
- We lower our head, stretch our chin to our chest, stretch the cervical spine, pull the crown slightly up, gently return to the starting position and move our head back while lifting our chin.
- Turn your head back and forth and try to move it back and look behind you.The gaze is directed behind the back and tries to see the whole picture behind it.
- Tilt the head down, from this position we gently turn the head to the left and then to the right.When moving, we pull the top of the head upwards at an angle of +- 45 degrees, with our gaze directed upwards.
- Tilt your head sideways towards the shoulder joint and stretch out the crown.We perform the exercises alternately on the right and then on the left shoulder.
- We pull our head back and make a circular turn from one shoulder to the other: in a circle we grab the left shoulder, we pull our head back in, we grab the right shoulder.The shoulders are straight and relaxed.
- Tilt slightly left and right and lower your gaze to the floor.
Some exercises can be combined into one.The average duration of the courses according to Dr.Butrimov is 12-15 minutes.With regular performance of gymnastic exercises, positive dynamics are possible after 4-5 months.The recovery time is individual and depends on the development and course of cervical osteochondrosis, accompanying treatment, the correct selection of exercises and their implementation, and lifestyle.