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 the endurance of the back and neck muscles, and the flexibility of ligaments.A set of exercises is selected by a specialist in rehabilitation medicine, taking into account the medical history of a particular patient.At an early stage, exercises are performed strictly under the supervision of a specialist; later, independent training is possible.
The task of exercise therapy is to restore general physical fitness and lost functions of a certain segment, strengthen the muscle corset, slow down degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structures of the spinal column, and prevent complications.Therapeutic exercise helps reduce pain during exacerbations, eliminate signs of inflammation, and increase the range of motion in the spine.Since osteochondrosis is one of the processes of aging of the body, and occurs in almost everyone with age, exercise therapy is considered as 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 stage, and preventing exacerbations during remission.Depending on the severity of 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.
Exercise therapy for exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis is performed in the form of relaxing and stretching exercises without stress on the spine.Before starting classes, the patient may 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 stretching the spine along the axis in order 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 training time and change the program.A physical therapy specialist recommends more intense exercises aimed at restoring motor activity and strengthening the muscles of the back and neck.At first, active exercises for the neck, limbs and torso alternate with relaxing ones, gradually increasing the load.
Quote from a specialist
There is a complex of extremely delicate exercises that can be selected even as part of a telemedicine, remote consultation.For example, for the cervical region - light exercises aimed at relaxation.
How to do exercises correctly
Physical therapy classes for cervical osteochondrosis are carried out individually or in a group, which are formed taking into account the profile of the disease.A set of exercises is selected by a specialist in rehabilitation medicine.He also monitors 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 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 a swimming pool, specially equipped premises for physical education, or in the fresh air.For exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to choose loose and comfortable clothing so that it does not put pressure on the neck or limit movement.
Exercises should not cause discomfort or pain.Increasing pain during exercise indicates too much duration of exercise, inadequate 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 movements and the number of repetitions are increased gradually, then strength loads are added.To achieve positive dynamics, regularity of classes 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 to exercise therapy
Contraindications are few and often temporary.Exercise 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, 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 the technique for performing them are presented.
Complex for warming up 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 a fist, and are at shoulder level.On the count of one, we spread our arms to the sides, extending them at the elbow joint; 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 - lying on your stomach.Arms are straight, extended behind the head, resting on the floor.Slowly we begin to raise 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. Place your fingers in a lock, apply to your forehead, while pressing your palms on 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 your head.
Exercise 3. Slow rotations of 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 the count of one we bring 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. Starting position standing.We raise our shoulders up, hold them in this position for a few seconds, lower them and relax.Repeat the exercises 5-10 times.
Examples of exercises for Butrimov’s neck
Butrimov’s gymnastics does not imply the same type of exercises; each exercise is an art of maintaining and strengthening the muscles of the cervical spine:
- Gently pull the chin forward, then slowly pull it back into the neck.This is a stretching movement of the muscles, it is important to achieve maximum effect without pain.
- Turn the head to the left and right, with each movement we stretch the neck towards the shoulder joint.
- Turn your head to the left and right, pulling your chin towards your shoulder.
- We lower our head down, stretch our chin to our chest, stretching the cervicothoracic region, slightly pull the crown up, smoothly return to the starting position, and move our head back, while lifting our chin up.
- Turning your head back and forth, trying to move your head back and look behind you.The gaze is directed behind the back, trying to see the whole picture behind.
- Tilt the head down, from this position we smoothly turn the head to the left, then to the right. During movements, we pull the top of the head up at an angle of +- 45 degrees, the gaze is directed upward.
- Tilt the head sideways towards the shoulder joint and extend the crown.We perform the exercises alternately on the right and then on the left shoulder.
- We pull our head into our neck and perform a circular rotation from one shoulder to the other: in a circle we reach for the left shoulder, we pull our head in again, we reach for the right shoulder.The shoulders are straight and in a relaxed state.
- Slightly tilt 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, proper selection of exercises and their implementation, and lifestyle.