Patients with cervical osteochondrosis receive therapeutic physical education (PT) as part of complex treatment.The benefits of physical exercise include improved blood circulation and metabolic processes at the tissue level, increased joint flexibility, increased endurance of back and neck muscles, and flexibility of ligaments.Rehabilitation medicine specialists select a set of exercises based on a particular patient's medical history.In the early stages, exercises are carried out under the strict supervision of experts; later, independent training is possible.
The task of exercise therapy is to restore general physical fitness and lost functions of a certain segment, strengthen muscle bundles, slow down degenerative dystrophic changes in the spinal structure and prevent complications.Therapeutic exercises can help reduce pain during exacerbations, 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 almost everyone will develop osteochondrosis as they age, exercise therapy is considered a method to prevent cervical osteochondrosis.
Exercise techniques for different stages of cervical osteochondrosis
Comprehensive therapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis are included in this program to treat disease during exacerbations, during the recovery phase, and to prevent exacerbations during remission.Depending on the severity of the symptoms and the structural changes in the vertebrae and disc tissue, the training program includes active exercises (directly performed by the patient himself) and passive exercises (exercises performed by the hands of another person or with the help of mechanical devices).
Exercise therapy for exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis takes the form of relaxation and stretching exercises that do not put pressure on the spine.Before starting class, the patient can be given a relaxing massage to relieve pathological tension in the paravertebral muscles and to 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 distance between vertebrae, reduce the load on the intervertebral disc and spinal canal, and improve blood flow in the cervical spine.
As pain and inflammation decrease and overall health improves, increase training time and change plans.Physical therapy experts recommend more strenuous exercises designed to restore athletic activity and strengthen the muscles of the back and neck.First, active exercises of the neck, limbs and trunk are alternated with relaxation exercises, gradually increasing the load.
Quotes from experts
There is a range of extremely refined exercises that can even be chosen as part of telemedicine, teleconsultation.For example, for the neck area - light exercises aimed at relaxation.
How to do the exercises correctly
Physiotherapy sessions for cervical osteochondrosis can be conducted individually or in groups, and are shaped according to the condition of the disease.A set of exercises is selected by experts in rehabilitation medicine.He also monitors the correctness of movement technique, compliance of loads with the patient's abilities and the dynamics of recovery.The average course of exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis lasts for 5 to 15 times, after which you can continue to study independently at home.
Gymnastics classes can be held on fitness equipment, in a swimming pool, in specially equipped sports facilities or in the fresh air.For exercise treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, you should choose loose and comfortable clothes so as not to put pressure on the neck and not restrict activities.
Exercise should not cause discomfort or pain.Increased pain during exercise indicates exercise for too long, underloading, or incorrect technique.If discomfort and pain persist, exercise must be discontinued.
All movements are smooth and slow, combined with breathing exercises.Gradually increase range of motion and repetitions, then increase strength load.To achieve positive motivation, regularity of lessons is important.To achieve optimal results in treating cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to combine therapeutic exercise with medications, physical therapy, acupuncture, and reflexology.
Contraindications to exercise therapy
Contraindications are rare and usually temporary.Exercise therapy is not recommended in the acute phase of injury, in the presence of spinal cord and spinal tumors, compression of brain tissue, abscesses, hematomas.During an exacerbation of the condition, the pain is severe and unbearable, and strenuous exercise is not advisable.
Exercise examples for cervical osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy sessions for cervical osteochondrosis are divided into three phases: warm-up, main part and cool-down.Below, for informational purposes, the most popular therapeutic exercises are described along with techniques for performing them.
Complex for heating the upper part of the shoulder straps
Exercise 1. Starting position - standing.Bend your arms at the elbows, touch your shoulders with your hands, and slowly perform a rotational movement in one direction, and then in the opposite direction, 10-15 times in each direction.
Exercise 2. Starting position, standing, arms bent at the elbow joint, fingers clenched into fists, level with shoulders.After counting to one, we spread our arms to the sides, extending to the elbow joint; after counting to two, we return to the starting position.Repeat the exercise 15-20 times.
main part of gymnastics
Exercise 1. Starting position - prone.Extend your arms straight behind your head and place them on the floor.Slowly, we begin to lift our head and torso while keeping our back straight.We stay in this position for a minute and then slowly return to the starting position.Repeat the exercise 2-3 times.
Exercise 2: Put your fingers in a lock shape and place them on your forehead. At the same time, press your palms on your forehead and use your forehead to apply resistance to your palms for 30 seconds.The head and neck are straight, only the muscles are working.Repeat 5 times.Next, perform 5 more exercises with your hands clasped against the back of your head.
Exercise 3. Slowly rotate your head in different directions, 10 times in each direction.Be careful not to get dizzy.If dizziness occurs, exercise should be stopped.
relaxation exercises
Exercise 1. Stand with arms extended at your sides and shoulders straight in the correct position.On the count of one we move the shoulders forward, on the count of two we return them to the starting position, on the count of three we bring them back.Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Exercise 2. Stand in starting position.We raise our shoulders, hold this position for a few seconds, then lower and relax.Repeat the exercise 5-10 times.
Examples of Butrimov Neck Exercises
Butrimov's gymnastics does not imply the same type of exercises; each exercise is the art of maintaining and strengthening the muscles of the cervical spine:
- Gently pull your chin forward and then slowly draw it back toward your neck.This is a stretching exercise for the muscles and it is important to achieve maximum results without pain.
- By turning the head to the left and right, we are stretching the neck towards the shoulder joint with each movement.
- Turn your head from side to side and pull your chin toward your shoulders.
- We lower our head, extend our chin towards our chest, stretch the cervico-thoracic area, slightly pull up the crown of the head, smoothly return to the starting position, and then move the head back while raising the chin.
- Move your head back and forth, trying to move your head back and look behind you.He cast his eyes behind him, trying to see the whole scene behind him.
- Tilt the head downwards and from this position we turn the head smoothly to the left and then to the right.During the action, we pull the top of the head upward at an angle of ±45 degrees and look upward.
- Tilt your head toward your shoulders and extend your crown.We alternate between right and left shoulder exercises.
- We draw the head into the neck, making a circular motion from one shoulder to the other: in a circle we reach the left shoulder, we draw the head again and we reach the right shoulder.Keep your shoulders straight and relaxed.
- Lean slightly to the left and right to lower your gaze to the ground.
Some exercises can be combined into one.The average session duration using Dr. Butrimov’s method is 12-15 minutes.If gymnastics exercises are performed regularly, positive dynamics are possible after 4-5 months.Recovery time varies from person to person and depends on the development and course of cervical osteochondrosis, concomitant treatments, appropriate exercise selection and implementation, and lifestyle.