Therapeutic exercise for hernia of the spine

Exercise therapy for spinal hernia is a set of physical exercises that are aimed at restoring damaged areas of the spinal column, restoring muscle tone and strengthening them, and restoring the affected functions of the musculoskeletal system as a whole.

Therapeutic exercise for spinal hernia is a full-fledged method of therapy related to rehabilitation complexes that are used in modern clinics after the main conservative or surgical treatment.

Features of physiotherapy exercises

Exercise therapy for vertebral hernia is not only rehabilitative in nature, but actually therapeutic. This is due to the specifics of the disease itself (protrusion of the intervertebral disc with damaged vertebrae). The bottom line is that with a chronic course of the disease, a sick person loses a large layer of actions, the possibilities of his physical mobility are significantly limited. That is why the set of sports complexes has a therapeutic function, and due to constant physical exercises, the patient eventually fully returns to his usual way of life.

The duration of the course and the time the patient coordinates with his doctor, since the time of one session depends on the individual abilities of the person.

Tasks

Exercise therapy for intervertebral hernia provides for several main goals, namely:

• relieving tension in the muscles, returning their former tone;
• reorganization of local and general blood supply, increased nutrition for the spine and its discs;
• improvement of lymph outflow;
• restoration of the motor function of the entire musculoskeletal system;
• elimination of pain syndrome.

In addition to the normalization of the physical body, the patient, constantly learning to systematically perform the assigned tasks, over time independently gains experience and self-organization skills, and also learns to take care of his body, monitor his health, and in the future prevent the recurrence of the underlying disease.

However, such significant benefits are available only when the patient himself wants it: when he carefully follows the instructions of the attending physician and rehabilitator, will give all his best and look positively into the future.

Experts say that motivated patients achieve the greatest success in full-fledged treatment.

Basic Rules

There are a number of rules that must be followed, paying enough attention to them - only in this way will success come.

• during physical education, the patient should carefully monitor his condition, prevent discomfort, otherwise, inform the doctor about the occurrence of pain in the body or the presence of severe fatigue;
• classes and exercises should be performed regularly. It is in a systematic approach that a complete cure lies. The patient needs to independently talk with the doctor about the time frame of one lesson and the course as a whole;
• the first classes and exercise should begin with minimal loads. Minor stresses will soon organize the patient's body, and thereby prepare it for more serious stresses;
• strictly and seriously carry out the exercises, settings and advice of your rehabilitation doctor: any deviation from the tasks set by the specialist will not bring a decent result.

Contraindications to exercise

Despite its simplicity and great possibilities in terms of treatment, physiotherapy exercises still have some limitations, due to which the patient cannot be allowed to perform exercises.

These contraindications include:

• recurrence of the underlying or concomitant disease;
• high body temperature at the time of appointment of a course of rehabilitation;
• any disease in which a set of exercises will only make things worse for the patient.

The above reasons are temporary: after some time after sufficient treatment, the patient can start physical education.

There are also lifelong contraindications - conditions and diseases in which a person will never be admitted to this type of rehabilitation:

• chronic disorders of cerebral circulation;
• oncological ailments: malignant tumors, the presence of metastases;
• respiratory failure, severe pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• paralysis or paresis of the limbs;
• blood disorders such as hemophilia (clotting disorder).

Therapeutic exercise for a hernia of the cervical spine

The neck is one of the most fragile structures in the body, so the specifics of the exercises are selected in detail and scrupulously, because there is a slight probability of additional traumatization of this area.

A standard set of exercises is most often performed in two positions: standing and sitting. The warm-up begins with slow turns of the head to the sides, then the patient tries to turn his head as far as possible. It is not recommended to make sharp turns. After that, you need to tilt your head, just as slowly and slowly. A similar set of exercises should be repeated up to 15 times.

Exercises for the thoracic spine

Movements are performed in different postures: standing, sitting on a chair, or lying on a flat surface.

The following exercises are suggested for implementation:

1. Posture - sitting on a chair. Hands are placed on the back of the head. The spine is kept straight, close to the back of the chair. After that, it is necessary to make inclinations, returning to the starting position. Movements should be made not in the pelvis, but in the spine.
2. The second exercise is performed on the floor in a supine position. A small roller is placed under the chest part of the back, hands hold on to the back of the head. After taking the pose, you need to arch your back as you exhale.

It should be noted that all exercises must be performed slowly. It is forbidden to make sudden movements without first warming up the muscles and ligaments.

Lower back exercises

Before you start exercising for the lumbar region, you need to perform a simple warm-up: the muscles of the lumbar region are massive, so they need abundant and fast blood flow.

The warm-up begins with assuming a supine position, hands touching the body, and legs touching each other. Next, you need to: slowly pull your heels towards you, approaching the angle of 90% at the knees, raise your head and pull it to your chest. The heels must not be lifted off the surface.

After warming up, the patient proceeds to the exercises themselves:

1. Pose - lying on your back, arms extended along the body, legs partially bent at the knees. The purpose of the exercise is to gradually tighten the abdominal muscles. To do this, you can put your hands on it. You need to strain the muscles of the peritoneum up to 15 times.
2. Pose - also lying on your back. This exercise is similar to the swing of the abdominal muscles: the patient needs to lift the upper body, keeping in this position for up to 10 seconds. You need to repeat up to 15 times.
3. The exercise is performed lying down, the legs at the knee joints are partially bent. You need to put your right hand on the left knee, after which this very knee needs to be raised, and with the hand that lies on the leg, restrain the force. Repeat 5 times. Then change arms and legs. One approach lasts 10-15 seconds.

Among the exercises for the lumbar region, there are also additional ones, namely:

1. Pose - sitting on the heels, arms extended forward. Next, you need to pull your hands as far as possible, while trying not to tear your heels off the surface. The patient should feel how the muscles and ligaments of the back are stretched.
2. Lie on your back and stretch your arms so that they are in contact with the body. This is followed by two simultaneous movements: the arms are extended behind the head, and the heels are pulled back. All this causes the body to rise above the floor. The emphasis is on the muscles of the back, but not the legs.

A set of exercises to eliminate pain

The technique involves a "stretching" of the spine. Performing it, the patient will lose any pain in the back, and will also create a springboard for further exercises on the back. The main attribute is an inclined board, and you need to perform the exercise on it.

The straps must be installed at a height of 110-120 cm from the floor. Lie down on the board and thread its straps with your hands. In this position, you must stay for 15-20 minutes every day. To further relax the back muscles, the patient is recommended to place a roller or pillow under the knees.

To stretch the spine, it is recommended to walk on all fours. Important: arms and back should be straight.

Method of treatment according to Dikul

The course of exercises consists of three stages, where during the first two the patient's body is being trained, and the third stage is already the main complex. The standard course consists of three stages, each of which contains 12 separate lessons.

The first cycle: therapeutic and preparatory measures are taken to help the patient's body adapt to further stress. Such exercises are often combined with yoga, breathing or joint gymnastics.

Second cycle: The exercises from the second cycle are aimed at working out the lost muscle tone throughout the body.

The third cycle is actually curative. When performing exercises from the third cycle, the mobility and flexibility of the patient's body develops.  

Exercise therapy in the pool

Exercising in water helps to reduce the load on the spine and body. In this case, therapeutic swimming, exercises in the water are used. In addition to active actions, doctors recommend just being in the pool, slowly walking along the bottom, being in the water up to your head. 5 minutes of daily presence and simple exercises in the pool give a stable therapeutic effect.