Cervical spondylosis is a common disease that causes many unpleasant symptoms and significantly reduces quality of life.It is almost impossible to cure without surgery.But you can stop the development of the process and eliminate a significant part of the symptoms.Only physical therapy can help with this.
Prescribe therapeutic exercises for osteoarthritis
Osteonecrosis is a degeneration of the bone and cartilage tissues (intervertebral discs) of the spine.As a result, its intervertebral discs are deformed, protrude between the vertebrae and form tumors on the vertebral bodies.
As a result, nerve endings are compressed, blood vessels running along the spine are compressed, and surrounding tissues are damaged by bone growth.Poor blood supply and immobility due to pain accelerate the development of the pathology.As a result, the patient receives a whole "bouquet" of unpleasant symptoms:
- Sharp pain (“low back pain”)
- Visual and hearing defects.
- Dizzy.
- Changes in intracranial pressure.
- Faint.
- Nausea attacks.
- Limit movement in the neck area.
Medications can reduce inflammation and pain.But they cannot release compressed nerve roots and blood vessels, put the discs in the correct position and restore mobility.Only special exercises can do this.Therefore, therapeutic exercises are the most important component in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Indications for use in gymnastics
Therapeutic exercises are useful at any stage of osteoarthritis (this disease has four exercises).However, it only brings noticeable results in the initial stages.The presence of the disease and its stage are determined by the doctor.The reason for examination and therapeutic exercises should be any of the above symptoms, as well as pain in the neck when moving.
Previously, cervical spondylosis was considered a disease of people in adulthood (40-45 years old), but in recent years, this disease has become more "rejuvenated" and even appears in teenagers.The cause is prolonged sitting motionless in front of a computer or at a desk.Therefore, even healthy young people should study a series of exercises specifically for cervical spondylosis and perform them for preventive purposes.You don't need any sports equipment or clothes for this;you can do it during your lunch break or instead of a “smoking break.”
Contraindications to therapeutic exercises
This does not mean that physical therapy can be performed anytime and by anyone.Osteonecrosis can be in the acute, subacute, and remitting stages.The acute stage is characterized by the obvious manifestation of a number of symptoms of the disease (they occur in different waves in different people) and necessarily severe pain when moving.
In the acute stage of osteoarthritis, it is necessary to reduce pain and inflammation with medication (prescribed by a doctor) and physical therapy courses in the clinic.Exercise is strictly contraindicated.
Only in the subacute stage can you start exercising.When moving your neck, you should not feel sharp pain, dizziness, "flies" in front of your eyes, or ringing in your ears.Minor discomfort is acceptable.The following are also contraindications:
- Severe blood pressure disorders.
- Malignant tumors.
- Fever condition.
Classes during the remission period are mandatory (at least 3 times a week).If treatment is started at an early stage, it is likely that with a conscious attitude towards physiotherapy, the acute phase of the disease will not return for many years.
Rules for performing therapeutic exercises
Exercises for patients with cervical spondylosis are very simple.They represent the movements of the head, shoulders and arms.But they should be done by observing some rules.Only in this case will they give results.
- Before starting exercise, the muscles need to be warmed up.The easiest way to do this is with self-massage.
- Movements must be performed with the greatest possible amplitude.It may be small at first but will gradually increase as you practice.
- Movement should be smooth, without jerks.
- The number of repetitions of each exercise is 5-10 times.If it is symmetrical then the number of repetitions is calculated separately in each direction.
- You can exercise while sitting (your back must necessarily rest against the back of a chair or armchair) or standing.The first way is even better, so it's convenient to exercise in your office at work.
- There should be no breaks in class.The exception is the transition of osteonecrosis to the acute stage or the occurrence of the disease accompanied by high fever.
- You should tolerate mild discomfort (mild pain, pulling, crunching sensations), especially at the beginning of your workout.But if sharp pain or other serious symptoms of osteoarthritis appear, you should stop exercising immediately and consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Doctors often recommend doing therapeutic exercises at the same time.Compliance with this rule is desirable but not required.If for some reason you cannot study at the same time, you can study at other times.It is important not to miss any classes.
If you do not follow the exercise rules listed above, gymnastics will not only not help, but can also give the opposite result.A movement performed incorrectly can result in a pinched nerve or a displaced disc.
Collection of main exercises for cervical spondylosis
Today there are many systems for treating osteoarthritis using physical therapy.You can make your choice yourself or on the advice of your doctor - all systems give results.There are also some basic exercises included in most complexes.
- Tilt your head to your shoulders.
- Turn to the sides (in this case, you need to pull your chin towards your shoulders).
- Turn to both sides while placing your palm on the opposite shoulder.
- Bend back and forth.It will be good if, when leaning back, your head presses against the headrest of the chair or chair, overcoming a slight resistance.
- Raise and lower your shoulders.
- Tilt your head toward your shoulder while raising the other shoulder.
- Stretch your neck forward and back (called “chicks emerging from the nest”).
- Stretch your neck forward and then turn your head to the side (called “goose”).
- Tilt and turn your head side to side with your arms raised and extended above your head (called "fakir").
- Stretch your neck forward and upward while moving your arms straight behind your back (called “seagulls”).
In addition, patients with osteoarthritis should tilt their head to the sides and forward, as well as turn it to the sides with a very small amplitude.The number of repetitions in such cases must be larger (at least 10 times).These exercises are sometimes called "ay-ay-ay", "yes-yes" and "no-no".They are especially recommended for people with the so-called “widow's hump” (also known as “housewife's hump”) - swelling in the area of the 7th cervical vertebra.
It is better if the first few sessions are carried out under the guidance of a physiotherapist.He will teach you how to perform the exercises correctly and then the patient will be able to do them on his own.If it is difficult to find such a specialist, you can use video tutorials.
To complete such a complex (complying with all the rules) will require no more than 20 minutes.Therefore, it is clear that it is better to start exercising quickly than to endure all the troubles for patients with cervical spondylosis.
Cervical spondylosis is a disease that doctors cannot cure.He cannot do without the patient's active participation in the treatment process.However, if you start performing therapeutic exercises on time, you can avoid unpleasant manifestations of osteoarthritis in the long term.