As part of complex treatment, patients with cervical osteochondrosis are prescribed therapeutic physical education (PT).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 specialists in rehabilitation medicine, taking into account the medical history of a particular patient.In the early stages, training is done strictly under the supervision of experts;then, independent training can be done.
The task of exercise therapy is to restore general physical fitness and loss of function of certain segments, strengthen the muscle corset, delay degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure 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 body's aging processes, and occurs in almost everyone with age, exercise therapy is considered a prevention of cervical osteochondrosis.
Exercise techniques at various stages of cervical osteochondrosis
The complex of therapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis is included in the program to treat the disease during exacerbation, during the recovery stage, and prevent exacerbation during remission.Depending on the severity of symptoms and structural changes in the vertebral tissue and intervertebral disc, the training program consists of active training, which is performed directly by the patient himself, and passive training - training performed by other people's hands or with the help of a mechanism.
Exercise therapy for the exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis is performed in the form of relaxation exercises and stretching without pressure on the spine.Before starting the class, 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 exercise is to stretch the spine along the axis to increase the intervertebral distance, reduce the load on the disc and spinal canal, and increase blood flow to the cervical vertebrae.
As pain and inflammation decrease and overall health improves, increase training time and change the program.Physical therapists recommend more intense exercises aimed at restoring motor activity and strengthening back and neck muscles.At first, active exercises for the neck, limbs and body alternate with relaxed ones, gradually increasing the load.
Quotes from the experts
There are very subtle training complexes that can be chosen even as part of telemedicine, remote consultation.For example, for the cervical area - light exercises aimed at relaxation.
How to do exercise correctly
Physical therapy classes for cervical osteochondrosis are conducted individually or in groups, which are formed taking into account the profile of the disease.A set of exercises selected by specialists in rehabilitation medicine.He also monitors the correctness of the exercise technique, compliance of the load with the patient's ability, 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 be conducted on exercise machines, in swimming pools, premises specially equipped for physical education, 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 or limit movement.
Exercise should not cause discomfort or pain.Increased pain during exercise indicates too much exercise duration, insufficient load, or incorrect technique.If discomfort and pain still appear, you must stop the exercise.
All movements are smooth and slow, combined with breathing exercises.The amplitude of movement and the number of repetitions increase gradually, then the strength load is increased.To achieve positive dynamics, class regularity 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 usually temporary.Exercise therapy is not recommended in the period of acute injury, in the presence of neoplasms of the spinal cord and spine, in the state of compression of brain tissue, abscess, hematoma.Intense and heavy training is not prescribed during the period of exacerbation of the disease, with severe and unbearable pain.
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 techniques for performing them are presented.
Complex to warm 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 starting position, standing, arms bent at the elbow joints, fingers clenched into fists, and at shoulder level.On the count of one, we spread our arms to the sides, extending them at the elbow joints;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 - lie on your stomach.Straight arms, extended behind the head, resting on the floor.Slowly we begin to lift our head and torso, while keeping our back straight.We linger 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 the lock, apply to your forehead, while pressing your palm to your forehead, and apply resistance to your palm with your forehead for 30 seconds.The head and neck are straight, only the muscles work.Repeat 5 times.Next, do the exercise 5 more times, pressing with your hands clasped behind your head.
Exercise 3. Slowly turn 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 count one we bring the shoulder forward, on count two we return it to the starting position, on count three we bring it 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 exercise 5-10 times.
Examples of exercises for Butrimov's neck
Butrimov's gymnastics does not imply the same type of training;every exercise is the art of maintaining and strengthening the muscles of the cervical spine:
- Gently pull the chin forward, then gently pull it back into the neck.This is a muscle stretching movement, it is important to achieve 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 shoulders.
- We lower the head down, stretch the chin to the chest, stretch the cervicothoracic region, slightly pull the crown up, smoothly return to the starting position, and move the head back, while lifting the chin up.
- Turning your head back and forth, try to move your head back and look behind you.The gaze is directed back, trying to see the whole picture behind.
- Tilt your head down, from this position we smoothly turn your head to the left, then to the right.During the movement, we pull the top 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 lengthen the crown.We do exercises alternately on the right and then on the left shoulder.
- We pull our head to our neck and make a circular rotation from one shoulder to the other: in a circle we reach the left shoulder, we pull our head back, we reach the right shoulder.Shoulders 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 a class using Dr. Butrimov's method 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 course of cervical osteochondrosis, simultaneous treatment, the selection of correct exercises and their implementation, and lifestyle.