As part of complex treatment, patients with cervical osteochondrosis are prescribed therapeutic physical education (PT).The benefits of exercise include improving blood circulation and metabolic processes at the tissue level, increasing joint mobility, increasing the strength of the back and neck muscles, and increasing the flexibility of the ligaments.A set of exercises is selected by a specialist in rehabilitation medicine, taking into account the medical history of a particular patient.At the initial stage, the exercises are performed strictly under the supervision of a specialist;subsequently independent training is possible.
The task of physical therapy is to restore the general physical shape 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 exercise helps reduce pain during flare-ups, eliminate signs of inflammation, and increase the range of motion of the spine.Since osteochondrosis is one of the aging processes of the body and occurs in almost all people with age, physical 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 treating the disease during exacerbation, during the recovery phase 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, 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.
Physical therapy for exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis is performed in the form of relaxation 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 warm up the muscles of the shoulder girdle before physical activity.The essence of the exercises is to lengthen the spine along the axis to increase the intervertebral distance, reduce the load on the discs and spinal canal, and improve blood flow to the cervical vertebrae.
As pain and inflammation decrease and overall health improves, increase your exercise time and change your schedule.A physiotherapy specialist recommends more intense exercises aimed at restoring motor activity and strengthening the back and neck muscles.Initially, active exercises for the neck, limbs and torso alternate with relaxing exercises, gradually increasing the load.
Quote from a specialist
There is a complex of extremely delicate exercises that can also be selected as part of a telemedicine, a remote consultation.For example, for the cervical region: light exercises aimed at relaxation.
How to perform the exercises correctly
Physiotherapy lessons for cervical osteochondrosis are carried out individually or in a group, formed taking into account the profile of the disease.A set of exercises is selected by a specialist in rehabilitation medicine.It also checks the correctness of the exercise technique, compliance of the load with the patient's capabilities and the dynamics of recovery.On average, a course of physical therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes from 5 to 15 sessions, after which they continue to study independently at home.
Gymnastics lessons can be conducted on gymnastic equipment, in the swimming pool, in rooms specially equipped for physical education or in the open air.For physical therapy of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to choose loose, comfortable clothing so that it does not put pressure on the neck or limit movement.
The exercises should not cause discomfort or pain.Increased pain during exercise indicates excessive duration of exercise, inadequate load or incorrect technique.If discomfort and pain continue to occur, you should stop exercising.
All movements are smooth and slow, combined with breathing exercises.The range of motion and the number of repetitions are gradually increased, and then strength loads are added.To achieve positive dynamics, the regularity of lessons is important.To achieve 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 physical therapy
Contraindications are few and often temporary.Physical 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.Intense and strenuous exercises are 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 are held in three stages: warm-up, main part and relaxation exercises.Below, for information purposes, the most popular therapeutic exercises and the technique for 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 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 joint, fingers clenched into fists and are at shoulder height.On the count of one, we spread our arms to the sides, extending them at 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 tense, extended behind the head, resting on the floor.Slowly we begin to raise our head and torso, keeping our back straight.We remain 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, 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.Next, perform the exercise 5 more times, pressing with clasped 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 feel dizzy.If you experience dizziness, you should stop exercising.
Relaxation exercises
Exercise 1. Standing upright, arms stretched at your sides, shoulders straight in the correct position.On a count of one we bring the shoulders forward, on a count of two we bring them back to the starting position, on a count of 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 Butrimov neck exercises
Butrimov gymnastics does not involve the same type of exercises;each exercise is an art of maintaining and strengthening the muscles of the cervical spine:
- Gently pull your chin forward, then slowly bring it back into your neck.This is a muscle stretching movement, it is important to achieve maximum effect without pain.
- Turn your head left and right, with each movement we lengthen our neck towards the shoulder joint.
- Turn your head left and right, pulling your chin towards your shoulder.
- We lower the head, stretch the chin to the chest, stretch the cervicothoracic region, slightly pull the crown upwards, smoothly return to the starting position and move the head back, lifting the chin.
- Turn your head back and forth, try to move it back and look behind you.The gaze is directed behind the back, trying to see the whole image behind.
- Tilt your head downwards, from this position we gently turn our heads 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 sideways towards the shoulder joint and extend the crown.We perform the exercises alternately on the right shoulder and then on the left shoulder.
- We pull the head into the neck and perform a circular rotation from shoulder to shoulder: in a circle we reach the left shoulder, we withdraw the head in, we reach the right shoulder.The shoulders are straight and in a relaxed state.
- Lean slightly to the left and right, lowering your gaze to the ground.
Some exercises can be combined into one.The average duration of classes 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, concomitant treatment, correct selection of exercises and their implementation, as well as lifestyle.