As a result of evolution, as one of the versions, a man stood on two legs to free his hands for work and faster movement. But it was because of this that he acquired a lot of diseases and he alth problems. The most common are diseases of the spine. Consider how physical therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine helps to improve the patient's condition.
A few words about osteochondrosis
It is upright posture that causes osteochondrosis. This disease is characterized by dystrophic disorders in the articular cartilage. The most common place for the appearance of pathologies is the intervertebral discs. Depending on where osteochondrosis has settled, it is divided into:
- Neck.
- Chest.
- Lumbar.
There are several factors that can affect the development of osteochondrosis.
- Geneticpredisposition.
- Development of the infectious process, intoxication of the body.
- Impaired metabolism.
- Malnutrition.
- Obesity.
- Major physical activity or lack of physical activity.
- Flat feet, wearing high heels, uncomfortable shoes.
- Stress.
- Spinal injuries.
- Abrupt interruption of training for athletes.
- Not very comfortable positions at the computer, table or on the couch watching TV.
With so many provoking factors, it is rarely possible to avoid illness.
Therapy directions
When diagnosing this disease, the doctor will prescribe treatment, which may consist of:
- Drug therapy.
- Therapeutic sports complex.
- Medicated blockades.
- Physiotherapy techniques.
- Massage.
- Manual Therapy.
- Reflexology.
- Spine traction.
Therapeutic exercise for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is very popular as one of the methods of treatment. In combination with other methods, it gives quite good results. Let's take a closer look at it.
Therapeutic exercise
Treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system with the help of a special set of exercises is widespread. Exercises are aimed at relieving stress from the nerve roots, strengthening muscles, developing flexibility and, of course, preventing complications. For exercises, special simulators are used.
Developed complexes for problem areas of the spinal column. However, not everyone is shown physiotherapy exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Let's look at who can do it.
To whom exercise therapy is recommended
It is impossible to dispute the benefits of exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Exercises are suitable for almost everyone, only contraindications must be taken into account. It is also useful to do exercises:
- For the prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
- For relaxation and stress relief from the spine.
- For better posture.
- To improve circulation in the affected spine for faster recovery.
Worth paying attention to who should not do exercise therapy.
Contraindications for exercise therapy
There are several reasons why it is not recommended to perform a complex of exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis:
- High blood pressure.
- Increased eye pressure, severe myopia.
- Irregular heart rhythm.
- The period of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
- Exacerbation of chronic diseases.
- Feeling unwell.
- After spinal surgery.
- Diseases of the nervous system with impaired coordination.
It is also necessary to stop exercising if there is a sharp pain, discomfort, nausea or dizziness.
Where does it beginExercise therapy
In order to start doing physical therapy, you need to prepare:
- Comfortable workout clothes.
- Gymnastic mat, chair or, if necessary, ball.
- Ventilate the room before training.
You can eat 2 hours before class. Do not exercise immediately after eating or on an empty stomach. You need to start exercising from 15 minutes, one approach for each exercise. If at the same time you feel good, you can gradually increase the number of approaches and the duration of classes, but not more than 45 minutes a day.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be started only after a warm-up. It will warm up the muscles and prepare the body for gymnastic exercises. If osteochondrosis is diagnosed, then it is forbidden to start doing exercises without a warm-up, you can provoke an exacerbation.
The following exercises are used in the warm-up:
- Walking.
- Smooth body turns.
- Hand up.
- Rotation of the shoulders and shoulder blades at a slow pace and without sudden movements.
- Slow head turns without sharp throwing and turning.
If there is a feeling of warmth in the muscles, then the warm-up was effective and you can proceed to the main set of exercises.
Seated exercises
LFK includes exercises that can be performed in various positions. Let's start with a complex from a sitting position.
- Put on foreheadpalm and gently press on the head, while the head must be pressed on the palm. We do the same from the temporal side, resting the palm on the temple on the left and right sides in turn.
- Lower your head down and stretch your chin to your chest. Gently stretch the neck muscles, slowly raise your head up and tilt back, while maintaining tension in the neck muscles. Stay in this position for a while. Complete 10 sets.
- Slowly tilt your head to the side, while tightening the neck muscles for a few seconds. Do the same number of repetitions.
- Slowly turn, while tensing the muscles, the neck for a few seconds. Movements must be performed smoothly.
- Raise your shoulders up while tensing your neck muscles, then lower them.
In the presence of cervical osteochondrosis, it is forbidden to perform head rotations, as there is a danger that the disease will aggravate.
Exercise while lying down
The best way to relax the muscles of the shoulder girdle is to lie down. Such exercises will be necessarily included in the complex if physiotherapy exercises are recommended for you with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The photo below demonstrates one of these exercises.
Lie down on a gymnastic mat, arms along the body.
- Raise your head off the floor and hold for a few seconds.
- Raise your arms up and slowly, without bending, lower your head. Atstretch without taking your shoulders off the floor. Repeat 5 times.
- From the starting position, raise your right hand up and pull it to the left, while straining the muscles of the neck and shoulder. Hold on for a few seconds. We do the same with the other hand. Repeat 15 times.
- Bend your knees and pull them up to your chest, while reaching for them with your forehead. Repeat 10 times.
When performing exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, pain in the shoulder may appear when doing some exercises. This is possible due to sudden movements or poor warming up of the muscles. If the exercises are performed correctly and slowly, you can feel how the muscles stretched, relaxed, and the pain disappeared.
Stretching the spine
Therapeutic exercise for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine must necessarily include exercises to stretch the spine. This will improve the condition of the back muscles, activate blood circulation in the lumbar region.
- While sitting on the floor, stretch your legs in front of you. Lean forward and try to reach the tips of your toes with your hands. Exercise to do slowly, concentrating on how the spine is stretched. 10 repetitions are enough.
- Get on all fours, while inhaling, slowly bend the spine up, fix for a while and come back. Repeat 10 times.
- Stand straight, put your feet together. Lean forward and grab your shin with your hands, as close as possiblesnuggling up to the legs.
The results of exercise therapy
It is worth noting that therapeutic exercises, physical education for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be agreed with the doctor. It is he who will tell you which exercises are best suited. Regular exercises, constant adjustment of exercises to increase efficiency will give a positive result. If you feel worse, you should cancel classes and consult a doctor.
What can be achieved by doing regular physical exercises with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
- The muscles of the cervical region will be strengthened, their plasticity will increase.
- Significantly improve blood circulation in the cervical region, and this will speed up the recovery process.
- Gradually the pain will go away, motor function will be restored.
- Posture will improve.
Therapeutic exercise is an excellent means of preventing diseases of various parts of the spine, while improving overall he alth, uplifting mood, strengthening muscles and you can get a good boost of energy.
