Rehabilitation Exercises for Herniated Discs: Strengthening and Stretching for Healing
When herniated discs cause symptoms, those symptoms can be intense. The sharp, shooting pain and restricted mobility can really limit your daily activities. Fortunately, herniated discs are usually easy to treat with targeted physical therapy exercises.
A herniated disc occurs when a spinal disc’s soft, gel-like center pushes through a crack in the tougher exterior casing. If this herniation irritates a nearby nerve, it can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg (depending on which part of the spine is affected).
Effectively treating a herniated disc is more than just masking the symptoms. At TOP Physical Therapy, we want to help you strengthen and stabilize your spine so you’ll be less likely to develop another herniated disc in the future. We do this through targeted strengthening and mobility exercises.
If you’re dealing with a herniated disc but aren’t sure what to expect from physical therapy, keep reading! We’ll explain some causes of herniated discs and explore the exercises we use to treat them.
How Do Herniated Discs Develop?
Herniated discs can happen for several reasons, and understanding these can help in both prevention and treatment. Here’s an overview:
Age-Related Changes
- As you get older, your spinal discs naturally lose some of their water content, which makes them less flexible and more prone to cracking or rupturing with even a minor twist or strain.
Sedentary Lifestyle
- Prolonged sitting can strain and weaken the muscles that support your spine, making you more susceptible to herniated discs.
Sudden injury
- Lifting heavy objects improperly can put excessive pressure on the spine and lead to a herniated disc. To avoid injury, it’s important to use proper techniques when lifting, like bending at the knees and not the waist.
Physical Therapy and Herniated Discs: Why Exercise Is Key
Treating herniated discs requires a comprehensive approach. Acute pain management is often the first step, and we offer several acute pain management options, including manual therapy and modalities like electrical stimulation.
However, these techniques don’t just alleviate pain. They also help improve your range of motion, making it easier for you to move, and promote blood circulation to your back. These factors work together to prepare your body for the foundation of our herniated disc treatment program: therapeutic exercise.
Exercise is essential in helping you rehabilitate from a herniated disc. It reduces your symptoms and improves your spine’s overall health, so you’ll be much less likely to develop another herniated disc. A healthy back also makes it easier for you to maintain proper posture throughout your day, reducing another risk factor.
Three Key Types of Exercise in Rehabilitating Herniated Discs
Our physical therapists will carefully select the right exercises for your needs, ensuring a safe, effective rehabilitation. However, we generally focus on three types of exercises:
Mobility Exercises
- Mobility exercises improve the range of motion in your spine and surrounding muscles, significantly reducing pain and enhancing overall function. They also make it easier for you to move, helping you to work through your treatment.
Core Strengthening
- A strong core means a healthy back, so we’ll show you exercises targeting this crucial area’s muscles. Strengthening your core provides better support for your spine, which reduces the pressure on the affected area, alleviating pain and preventing further injury.
Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise
- Staying physically active is critical to preventing herniated discs, and we’ll help you find an exercise routine that works for you. Even something as simple as a daily walk plays an important role in keeping your spine healthy and injury-free.
Struggling with a Herniated Disc? We’re Here to Help!
If you’re experiencing pain and immobility from a herniated disc, schedule an appointment at TOP Physical Therapy. Our team will review your symptoms, pinpoint the exact cause of your condition, and work with you to find an effective solution.