Osteochondrosis lesions affect the cartilage and bone system located in the vertebral regions. The complexity of cervical osteochondrosis lies in the spread of the pathological process to the neurovascular system communicating with the brain.
The spine column in the cervical area is characterized by increased mobility, which often leads to nerve pinching and blockages. To get rid of them, they resort to physical therapy, which significantly reduces the rehabilitation duration after osteochondrosis exacerbations.
The importance of exercise therapy in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Therapeutic physical education helps to eliminate puffiness, normalizes nutrition and blood supply in the affected tissues, helps in the formation and strengthening of the muscle corset, increases motor capabilities, etc.
For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, specialists have developed a variety of different complexes:
- Strengthening the cervical and pectoral muscles;
- Motor coordination;
- Breathing exercises;
- Relaxation of muscle tissue;
- Swimming gymnastics, etc.
A therapy aimed at getting rid of osteochondrosis lesions requires a special approach, since such a pathology can negatively affect the functionality of the hands and the blood supply to the brain.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis lesions of the cervical vertebrae is rightfully considered the most highly effective therapeutic technique that provides muscle strengthening, an increase in motor range of motion, relief of pain symptoms, prevention of nerve root compression and muscle atrophy, improvement of oxygen supply to the affected area and the brain.
Due to the influence of exercise therapy, the elasticity of the intervertebral ligaments increases and the likelihood of the formation of processes on the bones (osteophytes) that can damage nearby nerves and vessels decreases.
The main condition that guarantees the effectiveness of therapeutic physical education is adherence to the correct tactics and daily exercise.
An important condition for the treatment of osteochondrosis by the exercise therapy method is correct posture. This must always be remembered, regardless of the activity currently being performed: when walking, sitting at the table, fussing in the kitchen, etc.
Rules for conducting physiotherapy exercises
To obtain the maximum effect, exercise therapy classes is required in compliance with a number of rules:
- Before starting a lesson, it is necessary to warm up the muscles a little, for this purpose it is advised to massage the neck or make several tilted and rotary movements of the head, alternately in each direction;
- Unlike other localizations of osteochondrosis, with pathology of the cervical vertebrae, doctors do not recommend performing physical exercises if the disease is in an aggravated stage;
- You need to start with the simplest practice, gradually supplementing the complex with an increase in the number of repetitions and more complex elements;
- Experts advise to perform treatment sessions every day, and it is better at the same time (in the evenings or after waking up);
- The complex should be performed without fuss and nervousness, move measuredly and smoothly. If you feel uncomfortable, stop the exercise and move on to the next one. It is necessary to exclude such elements that cause pain;
- Exercise therapy, carried out for osteochondrosis lesions of the neck, should additionally include training of the arms, chest and shoulder muscles and joints.
Physiotherapy is not only exercise on the mat, it involves exercising on simulators or swimming. Just do not choose exercise exercises on your own, it will be much safer and more effective if a doctor does it.
Yoga has also proven effective in anti-osteochondrosis therapy , since this practice involves deliberate and slow performance of exercises that cannot damage the spine.
Mini-complexes
Physiotherapy exercises help to stop the pathological destruction of vertebral discs and cartilage tissues, so they are necessarily included in the anti-osteochondrosis therapeutic complex. In general, exercises against cervicothoracic osteochondrosis are divided into two broad groups: dynamic and isometric complexes.
Isometric exercises have a positive effect on blood supply and muscle corset, help to increase mental performance, improve visual function and memory.
Isometric exercises
Isometric exercises are based on only one principle – the amplitude of oscillations during their execution should be minimal. Such physical education is aimed at strengthening the cervical and lateral muscle tissues. Such exercises are indispensable for those who are engaged in sedentary work, spending a lot of time at the computer or papers.
You can perform such physiotherapy exercises from any starting position, the main thing is that the shoulders are deployed, and the back is straight:
- Place your palms with your fingers locked together on your forehead and press as if you are about to tilt your head back. At the same time, you need to resist using the tension of the cervical muscles;
- You need to press your palm on your cheek, as if you are trying to tilt your head, at the same time you need to resist the pressure by tensing the neck muscles. The exercise must be done on each side for 3-4 p.;
- Place your palms intertwined in your fingers on the back of your head and try to tilt your head back, while resisting with your palms;
- Rest your chin in your fists, try to tilt your head down, while resisting with your hands.
Video complex of isometric exercises of physiotherapy exercises for cervical osteochondrosis:
These exercises involve overcoming resistance without physical activity. When performing, you need to strain the neck muscles for 5-6 seconds, then relax them for about 15 seconds. Each exercise must be performed at least 3 times. Over time, their number increases to 7-10. In the process of execution, you should strain the muscles when inhaling, and when exhaling, relax.
Dynamic complex
Dynamic exercises involve the presence of various degrees of stress on the cervical vertebrae, they have a beneficial effect on the health of the spine and prevent muscle atrophy.
Such exercises cannot be performed during an exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
The dynamic complex involves the motor activity of the cervical muscles and vertebrae:
- Head turns – 15 times for each side;
- Head tilts with ears touching shoulders – 10 p. left and right;
- Raising and lowering the shoulders with a 10-second delay, the elbows cannot be bent. The exercise is especially useful for people who sit at the monitor for a long time;
- Bending the head forward with the chin touching the chest. Do it 10 times. Exercise increases vertebral flexibility and prevents muscle atrophy;
- Lying on your stomach, you need to raise your head, holding it in this position for about 2-3 minutes;
- Lying on your back, pull your knees to your chest and stretch your chin towards them, trying to touch. Run at least 7 times.
Instead of warm-up, a set of such exercises can be supplemented with circular motions and arm swings.
Where can I sign up for exercise therapy
Some patients do not have enough time to perform therapeutic exercises, while others are too lazy to do them. Group lessons can help in this situation. Usually, this practice is present in every clinic, you just need to get a referral from a neurologist.
Those who do not have the desire to jostle in the hospital queue of a public medical institution can contact a private medical center and sign up for paid courses or hire a personal instructor.
The main thing is to contact the medical centers, and not fitness rooms, since in the latter people work with sports education who have nothing to do with medicine and do not know all the intricacies of conducting physical therapy classes.
There is also another option. You can find many videos on the net with the necessary exercises. Choose a complex that suits you and discuss it with your doctor.
After a doctor’s approval, start doing your homework. In general, there are enough options, the main thing is to adhere to the recommended exercises and perform them correctly, only then physical therapy will help.
By the way, it is possible to perform such exercises for the prevention of vertebral diseases for people at risk of their development.