Gymnastics with osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine: photos, reviews

Osteochondrosis is the most common spinal disease to date. 90% of people have it, but only those with whom it is progressing notice it. Most often, the most vulnerable part of the spine is the cervical spine. Gymnastics with osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine contributes to its speedy healing and alleviates the patient's condition.

What is osteochondrosis?

To understand what this disease is, you first need to look into the course of anatomy and find out the structure of the spine. The vertebral column consists of individual vertebrae that have an opening. Inside this hole are the most important nerves that carry signals from all parts of the body to the brain and spinal cord. Intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae. A disk consists of a jelly-like core and a dense shell. It performs the function of depreciation, prevents friction of the vertebrae against each other. Connect these structures ligaments and muscles.

Osteochondrosis is a set of processes that destroy the intervertebral discs. As a result, they contract, vertebral bodies approach each other and begin to wear out. Over time, a growth appears on the site of the worn out joint. Thus, the body tries to make up for the loss. This outgrowth interferes with spinal mobility. Exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine, which are performed by the patient, will help to increase the distance between the vertebrae so that the disk has time to be filled with fluid.

Causes of disease progression

Of the provoking factors, the main ones should be distinguished.

1. Sedentary lifestyle. Muscle weakens and it is much harder for the spine to stay in the correct position. Vertebrae press on the intervertebral disc more strongly, curvature develops. Exercise therapy (for osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine) not only promotes stretching of the spinal column, but also strengthens the muscle corset.
2. Constantly staying in the wrong position. Surgeons, seamstresses, drivers and others are at such risk, who, due to their work, have to remain in prolonged stress. In this case, the muscles are too tense, their blood supply is disturbed, and as a result, the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is dehydrated.
3. Spinal injury It destroys the vertebrae or ligaments, breaking the correct position.

Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine

After diagnosis, the doctor must prescribe gymnastics. Osteochondrosis cannot be cured without stress on the muscles, since it is they that help to keep the spine in a physiologically correct position. For more positive dynamics, massage is added to the exercises to increase blood flow to the muscles and relax them.

The gymnastic complex should be compiled by a doctor after examination, since it is very important to take into account the degree of spinal damage and physical fitness. Exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine are divided into several blocks:

1. Warm up. It consists of movements aimed at warming up muscles and ligaments. It is necessary so as not to harm these structures.
2. Load. Helps strengthen muscles.
3. Stretching. Helps relax muscles after exercise and stretches the spine.

Rules for gymnastics

Any training should consist of three cycles. This allows you to "wake up" the body before exercise and calmly remove it from a state of hard work. In addition, you need to monitor breathing and gradually increase the load. You do not need to start immediately with a large number of repetitions. 10 times is enough.

Watch your feelings. If the exercise brings pain, it must be abandoned. Try the exercise once a week. When it stops delivering pain, include it in your workout. It will also be a kind of indicator of treatment.

Warm up movements

First of all, you need to warm up the entire body so that in one careless movement you do not pull the muscle or ligament.

1. Feet apart shoulder width apart. They should be relaxed and resilient, like two springs. Dilute hands to the sides and inspire to lift up, stretch. As you exhale, lower them along the same path. Breathing in this case is very important, because muscles need a large influx of oxygen. You need to breathe deeply and evenly.
2. Tilt your head back slowly and then press your chin to your chest. Repeat 10 times.
   
3. Look left (inhale), right (exhale), right (inhale). Head movements are clear and slow. Repeat 10 times.
4. Circular movements of the head clockwise, then counterclockwise.
5. Circular motion with shoulders. 10 times forward, 10 times backward.

The number of movements needs to be constantly increased, for example, in increments of 5-6 times, every 3 days. Do not need anymore. This is a very simple gymnastics. With osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine, such movements are key. The doctor may expand the workout depending on the degree of osteochondrosis.

Exercise exercises

After blood has been added to the muscles, you can begin to perform exercises for the load.

1. Lying on the floor, you need to put a roller under the neck. It can be made from a towel. Raise your head for the possible number of seconds and carefully return to its original position.
2. Roll over on your stomach. Hands along the body. Raise your head for 5 seconds, slowly return to its original position.
   
3. Push-ups from the floor, with straight legs or knees, depending on physical fitness.
4. Exercise "Planck". Knees touch the floor, elbows parallel to each other. Keep your body as long as you can. Do not forget to breathe deeply.
5. Stand, stretch your arms in front of you, perform the exercise “Scissors”. Then go to the swings with your hands.

Such exercises should be done every morning. Gymnastics can also be used for osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine sitting. It is relevant throughout the day. Use every free minute at work, in traffic, in the subway and follow the movement.

1. Pressing your hands on the forehead, and then on the back of the head, try to overcome the resistance.
2. Do the same with side inclinations.
3. The back of the chair should end just above the shoulder blades. Lean on your back and try to bend through the back.
4. Lower the chin to the chest and turn it left / right.
5. Hug yourself by the shoulders and squeeze tightly, then relax your hands and squeeze again.

Stretching Exercises

Stretching is also a must. It will relieve muscle pain and help to avoid overstrain. Gymnastics with osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine gives very quick results. Photos will help to more accurately understand the technique of exercises.

1. Raise your arms up and stretch your whole body. Then bend over and completely relax your hands.
2. Go to the wall at a step distance. Place your palms on the wall at chest level and bend your chest.
3. Turn away from the wall and, with your hands behind your head, lean against the wall. Bend your chest forward.
4. Standing in a knee-elbow position, bend your back, and then bend it inward.

Each exercise must be performed at least 10 times.

How to supplement gymnastics?

To gymnastics with osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine quickly brought positive results, it must be supplemented with massage and a warm shower. These activities will allow the muscles to get maximum relaxation. Acupuncture is also sometimes used. But this procedure should only be performed by a qualified professional.

Also beneficial for spine swimming. In water, the body itself takes a physiologically correct position and “holds” the spine. And when swimming, every muscle of the back is worked out.

Gymnastics with osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine should be performed regularly. This is the key to success.

Is gymnastics effective in osteochondrosis?

The most effective treatment is gymnastics with osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine. Reviews show that already after the first training, patients notice a significant improvement in their condition. This is achieved by stretching the spine. Vertebrae do not compress the affected intervertebral disc and allow it to recover.

Treatment without surgery is possible if a hernia has not yet formed. Even protrusion (bulging the disc into the canal of the spinal cord) of the disc can be corrected with exercise. The vast majority of patients recover and return to their usual pace of life. But even after a full recovery, one should maintain physical fitness and not forget about one's own health.