One speaks of a herniated disc when tissue of the intervertebral disc (disc) has emerged from it. One speaks of a prolapse as long as the tissue is still in contact with the intervertebral disc, and of a sequester if the contact to the disc has been lost. A protrusion is the preliminary stage of a herniated disc, the disc is intact, but tissue protrusion occurs. In the thoracic spine, herniated discs are very rare compared to the lumbar spine or even the cervical spine. This is due to the mechanical stability of the thoracic spine through the thorax.
Exercises
Exercises for herniated disks in BWS should serve to relieve pain in the acute phase and relieve the irritated tissue. After a certain amount of healing, it is particularly important to correct the posture of the BWS and to ensure muscular stability in order to avoid overloading. In addition to strengthening exercises for weak muscles, stretching exercises for shortened muscle groups can also be considered.
In most cases, a lack of straightening is the cause of incorrect loading in BWS. Exercises with the Theraband can very well strengthen the straightening muscles. After prior instruction, equipment-supported training (rowing machine, butterfly reverse, lat-pull) in the gym can also be suitable for improving straightening after a slipped disc in the BWS.
This might also be of interest to you: Exercises with the Theraband The Theraband can also be used at home. You can attach it to a door or a column, for example, so that two ends of the band are within reach. You position yourself in front of the band in such a way that when you pull it up, the elbows bent at 90 degrees can be pulled straight past your chest without having to raise your shoulders.
A slight knee bend may be advisable. The ends of the Theraband are pulled towards the body, the elbows are pulled close to the body, the shoulder blades are pulled together. The end position is held for about 5 seconds before it is released again.
The exercise is performed in 3 sets of 15 repetitions. Stretching exercises can be helpful, for example, if a shortening of the chest muscles hinders a physiological posture of BWS. You stand directly in front of a wall, place one arm flat at shoulder level or with an elbow bent at 90 degrees against the wall and then turn your upper body away from the arm so that the chest is stretched.
The arm remains against the wall, also the shoulder should be as close as possible to the wall. The stretching position can be intensified by deepening the breaths and should be held for about 20-30 seconds before being released. There is a variety of other exercises that should be tailored to the individual patient.
