Abstract
Background. The article deals with the effect of physical therapy on students with vertebral artery functional compression syndrome. Constant stable flexion of the cervical spine is one of the functional factors that can cause deformation of the vertebral arteries and, as a consequence, to reduce blood flow through these arteries
The purpose of the research is to define the effect of physical therapy on vertebral artery functional compression syndrome caused by a violation of biomechanics in the cervical spine.
Material and methods. The research involved 24 students aged 18 to 23 years old. The research used the following methods: theoretical analysis and generalization of reference sources on the topic of scientific research, clinical evaluation of vegetative disorders with a questionnaire for determining signs of vegetative changes by O. M. Vein, comprehensive ultrasound examination of the head and neck blood vessels, goniometry of the cervical spine and mathematical statistics.
Results. Physical therapy helped to restore the volume of active movements in the cervical spine (p<0.05). The disappearance of the main symptoms was noted by an average of 74% of respondents, and the rest noted their decreased character. Peak systolic blood flow velocity in the vertebral arteries when performing functional tests increased (p <0.05).
Discussion. The positive results were achieved, probably due to the normalization of anatomical and functional interconnections in the cervical spine, stimulation of its reparative capabilities via manual therapy, namely post-isometric muscle relaxation.
Conclusions. The research results show that the use of physical therapy for patients with vertebral artery functional compression syndrome helps to reduce the clinical manifestations of the disease, restore proper spinal biomechanics and improve blood flow in vertebral arteries.
Key words: physical therapy, vertebral artery functional compression syndrome, post-isometric muscle relaxation, biomechanics of the cervical spine, goniometry of the cervical spine, ultrasound examination of the vertebral arteries.