Osteochondrosis of the cervix is a common disease that causes many unpleasant symptoms and significantly worsens the quality of life. It is almost impossible to cure without surgery. But you can stop the development of the process and get rid of a significant part of the symptoms. Only physical therapy can help with this.
Assigning therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of bone and cartilage tissue (intervertebral discs) of the spine. As a result, its discs deform, swell between the vertebrae, form growths on the vertebral body.
As a result, nerve endings become entangled, blood vessels passing along the spine become entangled, and surrounding tissues are injured by bone growths. Poor blood supply and immobility due to pain accelerate the development of pathology. As a result, the patient receives a whole "bouquet" with unpleasant symptoms:
- Severe pain ("lumbago")
- Sight and hearing impairments.
- Vertigo.
- Changes in intracranial pressure.
- Faint.
- Mixed attacks.
- Limited mobility in the neck.
Medications can reduce inflammation and pain. But they are unable to liberate restricted nerve roots and blood vessels, place intervertebral discs in the proper position, and restore mobility. It can only special exercises. Therefore, therapeutic exercises are the most important component of treating osteochondrosis.
Indications for the use of gymnastics
Therapeutic exercises are beneficial at every stage of osteochondrosis (there are four of them in this disease). However, it gives noticeable results only in the early stages. The presence of the disease and its stage is determined by the doctor. The reason for passing the examination and performing therapeutic exercises should be any of the symptoms listed above, as well as a crack in the neck during movement.
Previously, cervical osteochondrosis was considered a disease of mature people (from 40-45 years old), but in recent years it is dramatically "younger" and also appears in adolescents. The reason is prolonged immobility at the computer or desk. Therefore, even healthy young people do not hurt to study the set of exercises shown for cervical osteochondrosis and perform it for preventive purposes. It does not require any equipment and sportswear, you can do it at lunch or instead of a "smoke break".
Contraindications to therapeutic exercises
This does not mean that physiotherapy exercises can be done at any time and by anyone. Osteochondrosis can be in the acute, subacute and remission stages. The acute phase is characterized by a clear manifestation of some symptoms of the disease (they appear in different people in a different group) and, of course, by severe pain during movement.
In the acute stage of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to remove the pain and inflammation with the help of medications (they will be prescribed by a doctor) and physiotherapy procedures in the clinic. Physical education is strictly contraindicated.
Only in the subacute phase can you start doing gymnastics. When moving the neck, there should be no sharp pain, dizziness, "flies" in front of the eyes, ringing in the ears. A little concern is acceptable. Also contraindicated:
- Severe blood pressure disorders.
- Malignant tumors.
- Feverish conditions.
Classes in the remission phase are required (at least 3 times a week). If treatment starts at an early stage, there is a possibility that with a conscious attitude towards physiotherapy exercises, the acute phase of the disease will not return for many years.
Rules for performing therapeutic exercises
Exercises for patients with cervical osteochondrosis are simple. There are movements of the head, shoulders and arms. But they must be carried out, adhering to a number of rules. Only in this case they will give a result.
- Before starting the workout, the muscles need to be warmed up. The easiest way to do this is through self-massage.
- The movements must be performed with the maximum possible amplitudes. It may be small at first, but it should grow as you progress.
- The movements should be smooth, without cracking.
- The number of repetitions of each exercise is 5-10 times. If it is symmetrical, the iterations are counted separately in each direction.
- You can do aerobics by sitting (with mandatory back support on the back of a chair or armchair) or standing. The first is even better, so it is convenient to do gymnastics in the office at work.
- There should be no class breaks. An exception is the transition of osteochondrosis to an acute stage or the appearance of a disease accompanied by a high fever.
- Minor discomforts (slight nausea, tingling sensation, cracking) should be tolerated, especially in the early hours. But if there is a sharp pain or other pronounced symptoms of osteochondrosis, you should immediately stop exercising and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Often doctors recommend performing therapeutic exercises always at the same time. Compliance with this rule is desirable but not necessary. If for some reason you can not do it at the same time, you can do it at different times. It is important not to skip classes at all.
If you do not follow the rules of the classes listed above, gymnastics will not only not help, but can also give the opposite result. Improperly performed movement can lead to nerve constriction or displacement of the intervertebral disc.
The main group of exercises for cervical osteochondrosis
Today, there are many systems for treating osteochondrosis with the help of physiotherapy exercises. The choice can be made on your own or with the advice of a doctor - all systems give results. There are also some basic exercises that are included in almost all complexes.
- Slope of the head to the shoulders.
- Turn to the sides (in this case, you should pull the chin to the shoulder).
- Turn to the sides with simultaneous application of the palm to the opposite shoulder.
- Leaning back and forth. It is good if, when leaning back, the head presses on the headrest of a chair or stool, overcoming a slight resistance.
- Raising and lowering the shoulders.
- Bend your head to the shoulder while raising the other shoulder.
- Stretching the neck forward and pulling it back (called the "bird watching from the nest").
- Stretching the neck forward, followed by turning the head sideways (called "goose").
- Tilt and bend the head to the sides with the arms raised and joined above the head (called "fakir").
- Stretching the neck forward and upward with the simultaneous abduction of the arms straight behind the back (called "seagull").
Also, patients with osteochondrosis are recommended to tilt their head sideways and forward, as well as turn to the sides with a very small amplitude. The number of repetitions in such cases should be greater (at least 10 times). These exercises are sometimes called "ay-ay-ay", "yes-yes" and "no-no". They are especially recommended for those who have the so-called "widow's lump" (aka "housewife") - swelling in the region of the 7th vertebra of the cervix.
It is better if the first classes will be held under the guidance of a specialist in physical therapy. He will teach you how to perform the exercises correctly, and then the patient himself will be able to do it. If reaching such a specialist is difficult, you can use the video guide.
Implementing such a complex (in accordance with all the rules) will take no more than 20 minutes. So, it's clear - it's better to start exercising quickly than to endure all the problems prepared for patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is a disease that the doctor can not cure. Without the active participation of the patient in the treatment process, he can not do. But if you start doing therapeutic exercises on time, you can avoid the unpleasant manifestations of osteochondrosis for a long time.