Therapeutic exercises for chronic pancreatitis

Therapeutic gymnastics plays an important role in preventing exacerbations of chronic pancreatitis.

In chronic pancreatitis outside the period of exacerbation the tasks of therapeutic gymnastics are as follows:

1.Strengthening of the nervous system through a General tonic effect on the neuropsychic state of the patient.

2.Normalization and improvement of metabolism, as well as stimulation of the functional state of the body.

3.Increased blood circulation in the abdominal organs.

4.Training in diaphragmatic breathing, so that the diaphragm as it were "massaged" the pancreas and thereby contributed to its functioning.

Therapeutic gymnastics includes exercises from various starting positions for the limbs, trunk, and abdominal press with a gradually increasing load. Separately, breathing exercises are performed that require tension and are accompanied by an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, as well as exercises associated with sudden movements.

The pace of the exercises performed is slow and medium. The duration of the lesson is 15 -20 minutes. Exercises should be performed in the specified sequence, observing the indicated dosage, at any time of the day, but preferably in the morning, 1 – 1.5 hours after eating.

It is necessary to conduct classes daily, in a well-ventilated room. Difficult exercises can be controlled in front of a mirror. The student's clothing should not restrict movement.

In the presence of concomitant diseases, changes in the set of exercises should be made only after consulting a doctor.

After performing the exercises, it is necessary to lie on your back for 3 to 4 minutes, stretching your arms along the trunk with your palms down, slightly spread your legs, cover your eyes and achieve complete relaxation. Then it is desirable to perform a water procedure (wiping, showering, dousing). The complex of training exercises, along with therapeutic gymnastics, includes walking in the fresh air for a distance of 1 – 2 km at a pace familiar to the patient.

Signs of a favorable reaction of the body to physiotherapy are: good mood, a desire to continue classes, the lack of discomfort, increased heart rate no more than 15 beats per minute compared to the heart rate before starting the exercise or ischemia heart rate by 5 – 8 beats per minute compared with the pulse to classes and the return of the pulse to the initial value within 5 minutes after completing the exercise.  Signs of a positive reaction to the respiratory rate are: an increase in breathing by 5 to 8 breaths per minute compared to the breath before the exercise and the return of the respiratory rate to the original values in 3 to 5 minutes after the end of classes.

Regular independent exercises in therapeutic gymnastics with a gradually increasing load increase the overall tone of the body, stabilize the metabolism, improve blood circulation and the functional state of organs and systems, have a good psychotherapeutic effect, create a good mood. Thus, exercises contribute to the cure of pancreatitis and make the human body more resistant to various diseases.