Cycling after a slipped disc | Sport after or after a slipped disc

Cycling after a slipped disc

Cycling offers both advantages and disadvantages for the back and intervertebral discs. The regular movement of the legs is very good for strengthening the muscles of the lumbar spine. Compared to jogging, there are fewer impacts on the spine on a flat surface that the intervertebral discs would have to absorb.

Cycling on level roads or on an ergometer is therefore no problem for patients after a slipped disc, but mountain biking should be avoided because of the bumpy surface. In addition to the surface, the correct seating position should also be considered: If saddle and handlebars are adjusted correctly, cycling improves an excessive hollow back posture and strengthens the muscles of the entire spine. If the position is too upright, the lumbar spine in particular suffers, as it now has to absorb shocks without the shock-absorbing joints of the legs.

This worsens the wear and tear on the intervertebral discs. An excessively stretched sitting position is also harmful: in order to be able to look forward, the head must be placed strongly in the neck, which can cause and worsen damage to the cervical spine. After a herniated disc, patients should ensure the correct sitting position with even weight distribution on buttocks and hands when cycling. Equally important is the correct (level) surface, good damping of the bike fork and saddle, and an accompanying back training to be able to benefit from cycling for the healing process.

Jogging after a slipped disc

Jogging can cause damage to the intervertebral discs if training is too intense and the wrong movement patterns are applied. In general, however, jogging is not a problem for averagely athletic people because the back muscles are sufficiently developed to support the spine. Untrained people should not start a running training from zero to one hundred, because the spine is more susceptible to damage of the intervertebral discs due to the low developed back muscles.

The same applies to patients who have suffered a slipped disc. In the acute phase after the herniated disc, running training/jogging should not be carried out. After a few weeks, running training can be started again in moderate form.

However, it is important not to train against the pain, because it is a warning signal of the body and should be taken seriously, especially after a herniated disc. The amount of running can be slowly increased if the patient feels that jogging is good for him. It is recommended to start a muscle building training for the back at the same time to build up the supporting apparatus of the spine.

Cross-Trainer

In contrast to the bicycle ergometer, the Cross-Trainer not only trains the leg muscles but also the legs, hips, arms and shoulders. The Cross-Trainer simulates a running movement with simultaneous movement of the arms, but the impact load remains very low compared to jogging or cycling outdoors, which makes the Cross-Trainer a particularly joint-gentle training. As the Cross-Trainer is so joint-gentle and low in shock load, it is a very good beginners workout after a slipped disc.

Of course, patients should first take a break from training until the worst phase of the herniated disc is over. Afterwards one should start with a short training duration and intensity and increase slowly. Under no circumstances should the disc patient ignore a possible pain during training. The Cross-Trainer trains almost all muscle groups of the body: A well developed trunk musculature leads to a stabilization of the spine, which in turn leads to a relief of the intervertebral discs and to a delay of degenerative processes.