Video - Exercises for cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is one of the most dangerous diseases that can lead to irreversible changes in the vertebral discs and cause disability.

In the cervical region, there are important blood vessels that feed the brain, there are nerve endings responsible for the motor functions of the forelimbs.

The disease is characterized not only by a significant deterioration in the quality of life and severe headaches, but also by numbness of the hands during sleep.

Headaches and numbness of the hands - symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

For the treatment of osteochondrosis, various methods are used depending on the causal and clinical picture of the disease. Therapeutic physical training, gymnastics, massage and self-massage play a positive role in the effectiveness of drug treatment. The main caveat is that you can only exercise during a period of stable remission and after consultation with your doctor.

As mentioned above, therapeutic exercises and massage will be most effective only in combination with other types of treatment for the disease. In addition, several general conditions must be met:

Gymnastic exercises can be used not only during the treatment of the disease, but also for its prevention. Medicine strongly advises people who lead a sedentary lifestyle or have a sedentary job to do such gymnastics. Preventing a disease is much easier and easier than treating it.

It is recommended, if possible, to repeat the simplest exercises several times during the day. A complete set of exercises can be divided into stages and dealt with in parts in a few hours. Such actions significantly increase the effectiveness of therapeutic or preventive gymnastics.

Exercises recommended for performing during the remission of the disease

During this period, you need to carefully approach the development of exercises, perform them in the most gentle mode, avoid excessive loads and the resumption of pain. It is better to do therapeutic exercises while sitting - relaxation of the back muscles is achieved, which is extremely important.

Each movement should be performed 10÷20 times. If possible, it is recommended to bring the duration to two minutes for each exercise.

In the first days of doing the exercises, you can hear characteristic crackles in the cervical vertebrae. This is normal and the sounds will stop after a few days of constant practice. A slight crunch indicates spasms of the vertebrae; it should not be in a healthy spine.

If the patient's condition is so severe that it does not allow him to do exercises while standing or sitting, then a set of movements should be performed in the prone position. You need to lie down on a flat hard surface, hands always along the body. The number of repetitions is not more than ten, in time each exercise should not take more than one minute.

It is recommended to repeat these anticipation until a stable positive effect is obtained, and then move on to the more complex complex described above. As a result of gymnastics, blood circulation in the cervical vertebrae will significantly improve, and their motor capabilities will begin to recover. This will allow you to easily perform more complex complexes with increased physical activity.

If during the performance of therapeutic exercises a deterioration in the patient's condition is detected, then the classes should be stopped. Treatment continues with the usual medications, after the improvement of the condition, physiotherapy exercises can be resumed.

Video - Exercises for cervical osteochondrosis

Exercises recommended for performing during the chronic course of the disease and for prevention

Gymnastics can be done lying down, sitting or standing, the back is even, the neck muscles are relaxed.

It must be understood that pathological changes in the cervical spine occurred for several years, it is impossible to return it to its original state in a few days of training. You should stock up on perseverance and patience, regular exercise will make the neck flexible and healthy, blood supply will be fully restored, headaches and numbness of the hands will disappear. The more regularly the exercises are performed, the more tangible the final positive effect.

Video - Prevention Exercises

Self-massage for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

It can be done as independent procedures or after a set of gymnastic exercises. Procedures are best performed while sitting, the back is even, the muscles are relaxed. Stroking, kneading and shaking movements are made, pain intensification is not allowed. A preliminary consultation with a doctor is required.

All techniques should be repeated 5-7 times, repeated rubbing and stroking the cervical spine complete the massage. Stroking should be done with a little pressure with a full hand, movements are allowed in various directions. Embracing stroking is not recommended due to the effect on large areas of the cervical spine.

Video - Self-massage of the neck

Should be performed only by a specialist with a medical background, otherwise you may feel worse.

The neck should be massaged on both sides by stroking, squeezing and kneading. Single, ring double and circular movements are used with the phalanges of the bent fingers of both hands. Flat rubbing of the vertebral muscles is performed with the pads of the thumbs; during circular rubbing, the phalanges of the four fingers of each hand should work.

The effectiveness of massage depends on the skill of the massage therapist, the neglect of the disease and the duration of the course.

To enhance the effect, the use of therapeutic ointments and gels is allowed. The ingredients included in the ointment can have a decongestant or anti-inflammatory effect, improve blood flow and anesthetize inflamed areas.

It is forbidden to massage during acute periods of the course of the disease, thrombosis, atherosclerosis of peripheral vessels, mental disorders and some skin diseases. The attending physician prescribes massage, the patient must inform him about all changes in the state of health.

Therapeutic massage can be local or general, it is widely used during diseases of the joints as one of the complex methods of treating the disease. In combination with the correct scheme of drug therapy and therapeutic exercises, it gives a tangible positive effect.

Recently, reflex massage of the Zakharyin-Ged zones has been often used. The purpose of exposure is to find and have a positive effect on individual reflex zones on the surface of the skin. It is performed only by the most experienced massage therapists with extensive practical experience and deep theoretical knowledge.

In case of osteochondrosis, only manual massage is allowed, exposure to various electrical devices is not allowed.

The total duration of the procedures should not exceed 25 minutes, the number of sessions is determined by the attending physician and can be adjusted depending on the change in the patient's well-being.