Problems of exercise therapy in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

The spine is a column consisting of 33 vertebrae, fastened together with the help of joints, cartilages and ligaments. It serves as the basis of the entire human skeleton, ensures its vertical position, keeps all organs in the abdomen and breasts in their place. It contains the spinal cord, which is connected with practically all systems and organs of the human body. For flexibility, strength and cushioning abilities of the spine, intervertebral disks are responsible, the lesion of which leads to osteochondrosis.

What can provoke osteochondrosis

The root cause of the disease is often the incorrect placement of the load on the spine, resulting in intervertebral discs thinner, erased, and lose elasticity. Among the main causes of osteochondrosis can be named the following:

- trauma;

- Excess weight;

- smoking, disrupting metabolism and interfering with the recovery processes of the body;

- sedentary lifestyle;

Weak back muscles;

- systematic or one-time lifting of weights;

- genetic predisposition;

- hormonal failures;

Variable unfavorable weather conditions.

This is not all factors that can provoke osteochondrosis. In life, the reasons for the deterioration of the spine can be much more, which explains the various symptoms.

Manifestations of osteochondrosis

The most obvious symptom of the disease, when it appears worth looking to a doctor, is pain. In the first stages it can be blunt, accompanied by a feeling of stiffness. Sharp pain occurs when the nerve root is infringed. When moving, it increases and can lead to a violation of sensitivity in the zone of discomfort. Sharp, shooting pain can appear quite unexpectedly and last for several hours. Local manifestations of osteochondrosis can be accompanied by:

• Headaches, dizziness, noise in the ears, nausea and pain in the hands - with violations in the cervical region.
• Cardiac, hepatic, intestinal and gastric pain - with damage to the thoracic area.
• Backache, limitation of mobility and pain in the legs, which indicates violations in the lumbar region. Very good in this case helps gymnastics. LFK with osteochondrosis is appointed almost always.
• Violation of urination, irritation of the sciatic nerve - with problems in the lumbosacral belts.

Physiotherapy is an integral part of complex treatment and an indispensable measure for prevention

LFK is a complex of moderate physical exertion, used for many diseases associated with muscular strength dystrophy and restriction of joint movements. This or that complex is prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the features of the patient's disease and functional capabilities.

The main tasks of exercise therapy for osteochondrosis are directed to:

- normalization of the tone of the central nervous system;

- activation of blood flow in damaged areas;

- muscle relaxation;

- stretching and development of some muscle groups;

- strengthening of the anterior, posterior and lateral muscles of the spine;

- normalization of nutrition of damaged intervertebral discs;

- accustoming the patient to domestic, labor and other stresses;

- prevention of adhesion of vertebral canals.

All exercises included in the complex should be performed slowly, it is necessary to avoid sudden movements. Any gymnastics complex should include exercises that promote stretching, proper breathing and relaxation after exercise.

LFK with osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Osteochondrosis of this department is by far the most common. Since this part of the spine undergoes the greatest everyday loads, regardless of the way of life. Pathology is accompanied by pain in the back, sometimes giving to the legs, discomfort in the lower back. LFK with osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is an obligatory procedure. Classes will be productive and productive if performed regularly, correctly, and if the patient is well-tuned. It is not recommended to overwork in the process. Choose a complex should be based on personal physical fitness.

Exercises for osteochondrosis in the lumbar region

LFK with osteochondrosis of the lumbar region can be divided into several complexes, depending on the period of the disease. During an acute current, an exemplary complex may be as follows:

1. We are in a prone position. It does not change throughout the complex. To begin with it is necessary to perform simultaneous bending and extension of hands (in a fist) and stop.
2. We begin to warm up the legs. The left is bent at the knee. Right bend and unbend, sliding his heel along the bed. We do 8 repetitions and go to the left leg.
3. We knead the upper body by alternately raising our hands upwards.
4. Further hands are brought to the shoulders, bend them and make circular motions.
5. Then, the legs bent at the knee are pulled to the abdomen without the help of hands.
6. Legs are bent at the knees, feet together, alternately we take our knees aside.
7. The next starting position is legs apart. Circular motion stops inside and out.
8. We finish the complex with diaphragmatic breathing.

At the time of acute pain with osteochondrosis, it is better to still adhere to bed rest. In order not to aggravate the osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, LFK in this case has a general strengthening effect and serves more hygienic purposes. You should avoid exercises that cause pain. Repeat each costs an average of 8 times. At the same time, the tempo should be slow.

With a reduction in pain, you can go on to special exercises that increase the strength of the abdominal muscles and those that participate in flexion and extension of the hips. Exercise for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine in a subacute period may include the following exercises:

1. At the beginning of the complex we assume a recumbent starting position. We begin with the simultaneous bending / unbending of the feet.
2. Then alternately bend and unbend the knees.
3. We bend one leg, the other is set aside. After a few repetitions, we change our legs.
4. Further we bend both legs in a knee and we lift a sacrum, a backbone thus it is a little bent.
   
5. The legs are still bent at the knee, we continue the complex by lifting the head and shoulders. At the same time we keep our hands on the stomach.
6. Bent at the knees legs we pull to the stomach.
7. Strain the gluteal muscles for 5-7 seconds.
8. We change position, we become focused on the knees. Sit down on the heels, without taking his hands off the bed.
9. Starting position on the knees, legs apart. Turns of the trunk with the arm raised: to the right - up the right hand, to the left - up the left hand.
10. Exercise "kitty": back bend up. When returning to its original position, the spine does not bend downward.
11. Now we try to touch the left arm with our right knee. And vice versa - the left knee to the right hand.
12. We lay down on the stomach, beneath it it is desirable to place a roller. Alternate lifting of the feet 3 cm from the couch. We linger in position for an average of 5 seconds.
13. Coup. We stretch our arms out to the sides and tear off the head and shoulders from the bed, stay for 5 seconds.
14. Then alternately we breed our legs to the sides.
15. We turn over on the abdomen, put our feet on the cushion and raise the sacrum due to the curvature of the lumbar region.

In exercise therapy in the osteochondrosis of the lumbar region at the end of the subacute period, it is necessary to gradually introduce exercises that promote the strengthening of the back muscles. The pace can be increased. All movements are performed on inspiration, the exit must take the starting position. Exercises 4,5,6 and 7 can be repeated in a circle several times, they are the most important. When diagnosed, lumbar osteochondrosis, even during the period of remission, should exclude such activities as uncoordinated movements and turns, sharp changes in positions. For example, do not engage in tennis, cross-country running, fast dances or rhythmic gymnastics. LFK with osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine promotes:

- strengthening the muscles of the lower back and lower limbs;

- release of strangulated nerves;

- widening the gap between the vertebrae.

Thoracic osteochondrosis: how does gymnastics help?

Osteochondrosis in the thoracic region is not as common as in the lumbar or cervical region. This is due to the lower mobility of the vertebrae of this department, respectively, they are less susceptible to damage. Therapeutic exercise in this disease should contribute to:

- Increased mobility of the thoracic region, its intervertebral and rib-vertebral joints;

- elimination of muscle spasm and stiffness in the damaged area;

- improvement of ventilation.

LFK in chest osteochondrosis: exercises that help

Before you start the implementation of the complex, you can prepare slightly. This will greatly improve the effectiveness of exercise therapy. Preparation can include a warm shower and simple exercises, like twisting the trunk, swinging hands and feet. Implementation of the basic complex of exercise therapy, with a daily recurrence, will achieve remission of the disease, but it is always necessary to consult a doctor first. So:

1. Accept the position on the abdomen. Hands laying on the head, elbows maximally bred in the sides. Slowly and smoothly lift the shoulders and upper body, then start alternately pulling the elbows up. Do 5 repetitions.
2. Without changing the situation, hands stretch out in front of him. Raise the body, completely tearing off the chest from the floor. Then we have hands along the body and repeat the ascents.
3. Lying on my stomach, we put my hands back and fasten them to the lock. Raise closed limbs and bend as much as possible. We freeze in this position for a couple of seconds, smoothly return to the original position.
4. Being in the vertical position, the hands are placed on the shoulders. We lift one shoulder, while the second is lowered, the head follows the shoulder, which goes down.
5. Sitting on a chair, we have our hands on the belt. Slowly lift the shoulder girdle and gradually return to the original position. Do 5 repetitions.
6. In a position on a chair, with a gymnastic stick, breathing deeply, we raise our arms upwards, as far as possible we reach for the sports equipment. On exhalation we return to the original position.
7. In the standing position we put the gymnastic stick on the shoulders. Holding on to the ends, turn right, left, up and down. All we do very carefully.

Auxiliary complex for the period of exacerbation

During an exacerbation, when any movement causes pain, it is better to refrain from doing the exercises. When the pain begins to subside, medication can be supplemented with gymnastics, which will help relax the clamped muscles. Perform charging several times a day:

1. We stand on the knees. Gently lift the head up and simultaneously bend the back down. We take a deep breath. When you feel the maximum muscle tension, gently exhale and return to the original position.
2. We kneel on a hard surface, hands freely placed along the body. Breathing in, gently raise our hands up and make a slow slope forward. We linger, we lower the limbs and only then return to the vertical position.
3. We accept the position on the abdomen, with straight arms extended forward. Slowly make the right hand and the left leg rise up. We linger, smoothly descend, repeat with the opposite hand and foot. Do 5 repetitions.

Water gymnastics for osteochondrosis

The water environment is extremely suitable for specially designed complexes designed to treat and prevent osteochondrosis. Exercise in the water has a number of undeniable advantages:

- the aquatic environment a priori will not allow you to make sudden movements:

- work in water involves all muscle groups;

- the risk of trauma to the spine is minimized.

Exercise complexes are possible only under the supervision of experienced instructors.

Contraindications for water procedures

Contraindication to a visit to the pool can be the presence of cutaneous or infectious diseases in an acute period, severe cardiovascular pathologies, diatheses, conditions characterized by convulsive syndrome.

Osteochondrosis is a very unpleasant disease, causing a lot of discomfort and pain. Exercise for lumbosacral osteochondrosis and its other forms, as a component of complex treatment, can significantly improve the patient's condition. Therefore, if a course of physical therapy was prescribed , it should be performed methodologically, in accordance with the instructions, and then the gymnastics will give long-awaited relief.