Therapeutic physical training for osteochondrosis and radiculitis.

What is radiculitis, symptoms

Radiculitis affects the peripheral nervous system. It occurs due to pinching of the nerve roots of the spinal cord. At the same time, the latter are subject to an inflammatory process and can even be damaged due to serious pinching. This disease is characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission .

During periods of exacerbation, severe pain occurs in the affected area of ​​the spinal column.

Below are the causes of sciatica

The cause of exacerbations of radiculitis can be:

• stressful situations;
• hypothermia;
• passive lifestyle;
• playing sports;
• progressive osteochondrosis;
• hard physical labor;
• tumors of the spinal column;
• expanding osteophytes;
• deposited salts.

Depending on the location, the following types of radiculitis are distinguished::

Why is radiculitis dangerous?

If you want to learn in more detail how to treat lumbar radiculitis with medications and injections, and also consider alternative methods of therapy, you can read an article about this on our portal.

In the absence of timely treatment, radiculitis can become chronic, and then any, even minor, external influences (sharp tilt, cold, nervous stress, etc.) will provoke an attack. Unpleasant consequences can also result from diseases that cause radiculitis - osteochondrosis, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, etc.

Consequences of radiculitis

Muscle spasms worsen metabolic processes in the spine and lead to degenerative processes and tissue destruction, as a result of which the patient may require surgical intervention. The most dangerous complications of radiculopathy are spinal stroke and pinched nerve endings in the lower lumbar region (cauda equina area), as a result of which a person can become disabled.

Spinal cord circulatory disorder (blockage, narrowing or congenital abnormality of the spinal cord arteries, spinal stroke)

Traditional treatment of sciatica

Treatment of back pain is not complete without taking medications. Traditionally, sciatica is treated conservatively. The patient is prescribed:

• anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac, Ortofen, Ibuprofen);
• painkillers (Ketonal, Movalis);
• novocaine blockades;
• muscle relaxants (“Mydocalm”, “Sirdalud”);
• warming ointments based on bee or snake venom;
• B vitamins.

Severe damage to the intervertebral discs may require surgical treatment..

In addition to drug and surgical treatment for radiculitis, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed to relieve the inflammatory process, as well as to accelerate tissue regeneration and have a warming effect. Manual therapy and visits to a massage room and exercise therapy room are also recommended.

Video: “Exercises for acute back pain”

Find out more about traditional treatments for sciatica:

• You can find the names of gels and ointments for radiculitis on the page
• Effective injections for radiculitis, 3 ampoules each
• What medications are the most effective for radiculitis can be found out by going to the next article

Diagnosis of radiculopathy

The diagnosis of radiculitis is made by a neuropathologist on the basis of comprehensive studies. First of all, anamnesis and complaints are collected, after which physiological tests are carried out - the patient must make several movements and talk about his feelings. If necessary, radiography, MRI and CT are prescribed, which give the most complete picture of the picture of the disease; sometimes a lumbar puncture and blood tests are required to identify inflammatory and infectious processes in the body.

The use of exercise therapy for radiculitis

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Exercise therapy plays one of the most important roles in radiculitis . Therapeutic physical exercises are prescribed for any type of radiculitis. Only the set of exercises itself can differ.

Exercise therapy is aimed at strengthening the spinal column, increasing its functionality by strengthening the surrounding muscle corset, including the abdominal muscles, which play an important role in maintaining the lumbar region of the spine.

In addition, therapeutic exercises improve blood circulation, which has a positive effect on the condition of the spinal nerves , improving their nutrition and swelling of soft tissues, helping to eliminate existing swelling.

For radiculitis, all exercises should initially be performed in a gentle manner. Only gradually can you increase the intensity of physical activity. Exercises should be performed from simple to more complex.

It is forbidden to do any physical exercises or loads during exacerbation of radiculitis. Exercises that involve a lying position must be performed on a hard, flat surface. Ideally, use a specially designed mat during classes.

Physical therapy classes are not prescribed to patients:

• during the period of exacerbation of radiculitis (there is a high probability of only aggravating health problems);
• for cardiac pathologies;
• with intervertebral hernias, in which there is a possibility of damage to the spinal cord;
• with increased ESR;
• with an increase in body temperature.

Even if you do not fit into the category of patients for whom there are contraindications to exercise therapy, before starting exercises, it is still recommended to consult a specialist who must give his approval for this method of treating radiculitis. In addition, exercise therapy is an excellent prevention of this disease, and also helps to recover faster after surgical treatment.

Video: “Gymnastics for acute radiculitis”

Exercise therapy for the treatment of radiculitis, technique

For cervical radiculitis, the following set of exercises is recommended::

1. I.P. – standing, legs brought together . Bow your head towards your chest so that your chin touches the chest. In this position, make smooth movements of your head from left to right and vice versa, without lifting your chin from your chest. Repeat up to 15 times.
2. I.P. – standing, legs together . Slowly move the back of your head back, almost touching it to your upper back. Stay in this position for at least 2 seconds and return to the starting position. Repeat 10-15 times.
3. In a standing position, make circular movements with your head , avoiding strong deviations back (i.e., movements should be performed along a minor axis). Repeat at least 10 times.
4. The fingers of both hands are clasped together at the back of the head . In this position, tilt your head forward, completely touching your chest. In the final position, completely relax and hold for about 10 seconds. Then return to the starting position. Repeat 15-20 head tilts.
5. Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, place your chin on your right hand, while clasping the back of your head with your left . In this position, make smooth movements with your head to the right side, holding at the end point for 20 seconds. Then return to the starting position. Repeat 15-20 times. Then change your hand and repeat the same manipulations, but only in the opposite direction.

For thoracic radiculitis, you can perform the following set of exercises in the starting position standing:

1. Place your feet shoulder-width apart, bend both arms at the elbow joints at chest level . Raise your arms to the sides as you inhale, trying to bring your shoulder blades together and return to IP. on exhalation;
2. Bend your arms at the elbow joints and place your hands on your shoulders . Alternately raise your left and right arms up so that they form a right angle with your shoulders and stay in this position for a few seconds. Then you can raise both hands together. It turns out: one lift - the left hand, the second lift - the right, the third lift - both hands together. Each position must be repeated at least 5 times;
3. Bend both arms at the elbow joints . Raise your arms bent at the elbows up and back into IP, holding at the top point for 2-3 seconds;
4. While lying on your stomach, alternately lift your left arm and left leg, and then your right arm and right leg. Lifting should be done while inhaling. There should be 8-10 lifts for each pair of limbs.
5. Feet shoulder width apart . Swing alternately with each upper limb in the appropriate direction, i.e. left - to left, right - to right. Swings should not be sharp. Repeat 10-15 movements in each direction.

For lumbosacral radiculitis, the following exercises are recommended::

1. In a standing position, spread your legs shoulder-width apart . Bend your arms at the elbows and place them on your lower back. Perform smooth bends alternately to the right and left, pausing at the bottom point for 3 seconds and returning to I.P. Repeat 10-15 times.
2. Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, smoothly tilt your body forward and backward , pausing at the bottom point for a few seconds. Your hands should be on your lower back. Repeat at least 10 times.
3. Standing, feet shoulder-width apart, arms in a free position on both sides of the body, bend back and forth . The tilt should be while inhaling, and you should try to reach the floor with your hands. At the lowest point, freeze for 2-3 seconds. Repeat 5-10 bends in each direction.
4. Lying on your stomach, place your arms loosely on either side of your body . As you inhale, leaning on your forearms, simultaneously lift your head and shoulders up, holding at the top point for 2 seconds, then return to IP. Repeat at least 5-7 lifts.
5. Lying on your stomach, clasp your hands behind your back . As you inhale, lift your head up, while bending in the chest area. At the top point, pause for 2-3 seconds, and then exhale, return to the starting position.

A few more exercises for lower back pain