As part of the complex treatment of patients with cervical osteochondrosis, physical therapy is prescribed.The benefits of physical exercise include improving blood circulation and metabolic processes at the tissue level, increasing joint mobility, increasing 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 self-study is possible.
The task of exercise therapy is to restore the general physical 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 exercises help reduce pain during exacerbations, 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 an exacerbation, during the recovery stage 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 that are performed directly by the patient himself, and passive exercises - the exercises are performed by other people's hands or with the help of mechanisms.
Exercise therapy for exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out in the form of relaxing 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 discs and the spinal canal, and improve blood flow to the cervical vertebrae.
As pain and inflammation decrease and overall health improves, increase your training time and change the program.The physiotherapist recommends more intensive exercises aimed at restoring motor activity and strengthening the muscles of the back and neck.At the beginning, active exercises for the neck, limbs and torso are alternated with relaxing ones, gradually increasing the load.
A quote from an expert
There is a complex of extremely delicate 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 exercises correctly
Physical therapy classes for cervical osteochondrosis are conducted individually or in a group, which are formed taking into account the profile of the disease.The complex of exercises is selected by a specialist in rehabilitation medicine.It also monitors the correctness of the exercise technique, the compliance of the load with the patient's capabilities and the dynamics of recovery.On average, the 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 be held on simulators, in a pool, specially equipped rooms for physical education 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 put pressure on the neck or restrict movement.
Exercises should not cause discomfort or pain.An increase in pain during exercise indicates too long an exercise, inadequate load or incorrect technique.If discomfort and pain still occur, you should stop the exercise.
All movements are smooth and slow, combined with breathing exercises.The amplitude of movements and the number of repetitions are increased gradually, after which force 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 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 injury, in the presence of neoplasms of the spinal cord and spine, in conditions of compression of brain tissue, abscess, hematoma.In the period of exacerbation of the disease, with strong, unbearable pain, intense and exhausting exercises are not prescribed.
Examples of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Physical therapy classes for cervical osteochondrosis are held in three stages: warm-up, main part and relaxation exercises.Below, for informational purposes, the most popular therapeutic exercises and the technique for their implementation 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. In the initial standing position, the arms are bent at the elbow joint, the fingers are bent into a fist and are at shoulder level.Counting to one, we spread our arms to the sides, stretching them in the elbow joint;counting to 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 straight, extended behind the head, resting on the floor.Slowly we begin to lift 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. Interlace your fingers, apply 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 work.Repeat 5 times.Then perform the exercise 5 more times, pressing with clasped hands on the back of the head.
Exercise 3. Slow turns 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 the sides, shoulders straightened in the correct position.On one we bring the shoulders forward, on two we return them to the starting position, on three we return them back.Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Exercise 2. Starting position standing.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 Butrimov neck exercises
Butrimov's gymnastics does not imply one-type exercises;each exercise is an art to maintain and strengthen the muscles of the cervical vertebrae:
- Gently pull your chin forward, then slowly pull it back into your neck.This is a stretching movement of the muscles, it is important to achieve the maximum effect without pain.
- Turn the head left and right, with each movement we stretch the neck to the shoulder joint.
- Turn your head left and right, pulling the chin towards the shoulder.
- We lower our head down, stretch our chin to our chest, stretch the cervico-thoracic region, slightly pull the crown up, smoothly return to the starting position and move our head back, while lifting our chin up.
- Roll your head back and forth, trying to move your head back and look behind you.The gaze is directed behind the back, trying to see the whole picture behind.
- Tilt the head down, from this position we smoothly turn the head to the left, then to the right.During the movements, we pull the upper part of the head up 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 into the neck and make a circular rotation from one shoulder to the other: in a circle we reach the left shoulder, we pull our head again, we reach the right shoulder.The shoulders are straight and relaxed.
- Lean slightly left and right, lowering your gaze to the ground.
Some exercises can be combined into one.The average duration of classes according to Dr. Butrimov's method 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, concomitant treatment, the correct selection of exercises and their execution, and lifestyle.