Herniated Disc ExercisesHerniated disc exercises are widely prescribed by orthopedists, chiropractors and physical therapists. Exercise is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle and is advised for almost everyone as part of a general health maintenance program. However, exercise is certainly not a cure for a herniated disc, although many patients do enjoy some symptomatic relief from vigorous physical activity.
What are Herniated Disc Exercises?Exercises prescribed for painful disc conditions are typically designed to work the core and postural muscles of the body. These muscles are very strong, but many care providers think that strengthening them more will help relieve the pain of a herniated disc. This theory makes little anatomical sense, yet exercise has still proven itself very useful for many patients. Exercises will not rebuild a degenerated disc or repair a disc herniation. So why do so many affected patients enjoy some measure of relief from targeted physical activity? The answer to this question is deeply tied to the overall problems associated with treating herniated discs to begin with…Facts about Herniated Disc ExercisesThe anatomical implications of herniated discs will not improve due to exercise therapy. The spinal structure will not change due to exercise. Strengthening the core muscles will not help to reduce pain due to a herniated disc. These facts are all true and seem contraindicative to using exercise as a treatment option for disc conditions. However, many patients do report good temporary pain relief offered by exercise therapy. How and why does this occur?Exercise, in this case, does not enact any pain relief through building muscle, supporting the spine or increasing flexibility. Instead, exercise improves circulation and increases cellular oxygenation at the painful site. This directly fights off pain due to ischemia, which is the number one cause of chronic back pain. In fact, a large percentage of herniated disc pain syndromes are completely misdiagnosed. YES, the herniated disc exists, but NO, it is not the actual cause of pain. Oxygen deprivation is the real culprit and hence the positive results offered by exercise therapy. Advice on Herniated Disc ExercisesWhile it is terrific to use exercise to get in shape and take care of your body, it is not a good treatment solution for a herniated disc. Far better is the idea of determining the root cause of the pain and dealing with that issue with a treatment modality which will permanently resolve the source of the symptoms. For actual physical pain due to a herniated disc, spinal decompression is a good bet. For the majority of patients who are actually suffering from ischemia based pain, knowledge therapy is the option of choice.I am a big fan of exercise therapy for rehabilitation of back and spine injuries and to assist patients in regaining their functionality after long periods of inactivity. I just do not endorse it as a pain management technique for disc conditions. My advice is to solve your disc pain problem once and for all and then use exercise as an enjoyable and vital part of a healthy and pain free life… Herniated Disc Exercises to Herniated Disc 7/17/08 Revised 9/20/11 |
Sensei Adam Rostocki
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