Restorative treatment of osteochondrosis: exercise equipment

Exercise machines of various designs are widely used during rehabilitation treatment. They are used to purposefully develop motor skills (general, speed and speed-strength endurance, speed, coordination, strength, flexibility). The use of exercise machines in medical institutions allows for a significant expansion of the range of exercise therapy tools and methods, and at the same time increases not only the health-improving but also the therapeutic effectiveness of exercises.

A lesson using the simulator consists of an introductory, main and final part.

The introductory part is necessary to prepare the body for physical exercises on the simulator. For this, elementary gymnastic exercises are used with the participation of the muscles of the arms, legs, and torso in the initial position - standing, walking, and running in place and with movement.

The duration of the introductory part is 3-5 minutes.

The main part consists of exercises on a simulator, where the muscles of the arms, legs, back, and abdominal muscles are sequentially included in the work, in the initial position - standing, sitting, and lying with your face or back to the simulator.

Exercises on the simulator are selected in compliance with the principle of dispersion of physical load and transition from a simple exercise to a complex one; 30-40% of the lesson time is devoted to repeating the exercises of the previous lesson.

The load dosage is provided by:

• the number of exercises performed and the number of their repetitions;
• degree of muscular effort;
• tempo and amplitude of movements;
• the duration of rest breaks between exercises (rest should be active).

The duration of the main part is from 30 to 45 minutes.

Relaxation exercises and dynamic breathing exercises in the initial position - lying and standing. It is possible to use massage of various groups with the help of massagers.

The duration of the final part is 3-5 minutes.

Before starting to do exercises on the simulator, it is necessary to check the strength and lubrication of the fasteners. The grip handles are wiped with a clean flannel cloth. Do not step with your feet beyond the limiting lower axis (tie).

When performing exercises, do not allow jerks.

During the exercise, the grip handles are lowered carefully, without hitting the metal.

Exercise machines can be used individually or collectively, and their effect on the body can be local or general. Dosing of physical loads and targeted impact on certain muscle groups allow using exercise machines to selectively influence the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems, the musculoskeletal system. In this regard, such exercises are recommended for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, vegetative-vascular dystonia, chronic non-specific lung diseases, arthritis, arthrosis, etc.

Exercises on exercise machines are contraindicated in case of exacerbation of chronic coronary insufficiency, myocardial infarction less than 12 months old, cardiac and aortic aneurysm, exacerbation of thrombophlebitis, possible bleeding, acute inflammatory kidney diseases; acute infectious diseases or their exacerbation; severe cardiac arrhythmia (paroxysmal tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, etc.); pulmonary insufficiency with a decrease in VEF by 50% of the expected value or more; pregnancy more than 22 weeks; high degrees of myopia; diabetes mellitus (severe form).

The technical features of the exercise machines are determined by the preferential development of one or another motor quality or several at the same time. Treadmill, exercise bikes and rowing machines

The effectiveness of the treatment and recovery process depends on the rational construction of a motor regimen, which provides for the use and rational distribution of various types of motor activity of the patient throughout the day in a certain sequence in relation to other means of complex therapy.

Correct and timely appointment and use of the appropriate movement regimen contributes to the mobilization and stimulation of the protective and adaptive mechanisms of the patient's body and its readaptation to increasing physical loads.

The rational driving mode is based on the following principles:

• stimulation of recovery processes through active rest and targeted training of the functions of various organs and systems;
• facilitating the restructuring and formation of an optimal dynamic stereotype in the central nervous system;
• adequacy of physical activity to the patient’s age, his physical fitness, the clinical course of the disease and the functional capabilities of the body;
• gradual adaptation of the patient's body to increasing stress;
• rational combination and appropriate sequential use of exercise therapy with other therapeutic agents used in the complex therapy of patients at the stages of treatment: outpatient clinic - hospital - spa treatment.

In medical institutions, the following motor modes are distinguished:

• in hospital - bed (with subdivision into strict bed and light bed); semi-bed (ward) and free; allow targeted development of general, speed and speed-strength endurance. Expanders and rollers of various designs contribute to the development of dynamic strength and flexibility. With the help of a mini-trampoline, coordination of movements is improved.
• in sanatoriums and health resorts (health centers, rehabilitation treatment, etc.) - gentle, gentle-training and training.

Bed rest. The objective of the regime: gradual improvement and stimulation of the circulatory and respiratory functions, relaxation of tense muscles; preparation of the patient for the next, more active phase of the regime.

Contents of the regimen. The patient must remain in bed in a position of unloading the spine and maximally relaxing the muscles of the trunk and limbs. If the condition is satisfactory, physical exercises are permitted that involve small and medium muscle groups and joints, performed at a slow pace, with a small number of repetitions of each; breathing exercises of a static and dynamic nature.

Recommended massage techniques aimed at relaxing tense muscle groups:

• stroking;
• shaking;
• rolling-felt;
• braking method of point massage;
• reflex action techniques.

Semi-bed rest (ward). Tasks of the regime: gradual restoration of adaptation of the cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular systems to physical activity.

Contents of the regime. If the patient's condition is satisfactory and there are no contraindications, he/she is allowed to move around the ward, followed by rest in a lying position (unloading the spine).

Exercise therapy includes isotonic physical exercises covering medium and large muscle groups and joints, breathing exercises. Differentiated use of isometric exercises. Massage has the main focus: stimulation of the function of weakened muscles (deeper stroking, rubbing, tapping and other reflex action techniques).

Free mode. The task of the mode: adaptation of all body systems to increasing physical loads, loads of a domestic and professional nature.

Contents of the regime. Free movement within the department, walks around the hospital grounds. The classes widely use exercises aimed at restoring the dynamic stereotype, strengthening the muscles of the trunk and limbs, restoring the range of motion in the spinal column (isotonic and isometric exercises, coordination and balance exercises, stretching and traction exercises, exercises with resistance and weights, with gymnastic apparatus, at the gymnastic wall, in the therapeutic pool, exercises on exercise machines).

Massage is aimed at strengthening muscles, stretching shortened muscles. Massage is performed in combination with physical exercises and as an independent procedure, especially in the initial period.

In specialized sanatoriums, health centers, health centers, medical and physical education dispensaries and clinics, three types of motor modes are used - gentle, gentle-training and training.

As part of the general treatment and rest regimen, an individual regimen of movement and rest should be determined by the attending physician in each individual case depending on the indications and include:

• sequence of application of various exercise therapy methods throughout the day;
• their combination with the use of all other therapeutic factors of a given medical institution.

A properly developed and precisely executed movement regimen is in itself a powerful factor in the treatment of patients suffering from spinal diseases.

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