In the case of nerve root compression and the resulting constriction of the nerve, unpleasant sensory disturbances and further complaints can occur. In the following you will learn which exercises can help.
Physiotherapeutic intervention
In the case of existing nerve root compression, it is necessary to intervene quickly to prevent long-term damage. Patients who are diagnosed with nerve root compression are usually referred to a physiotherapist. The primary goal of therapy is to relieve the pressure from the root, to revive blood circulation and stimulation conduction.
Pain is to be reduced, movement and perception trained and muscles strengthened in accordance with the symptoms. Finally, work must be done on the cause in order to avoid recurrence. This can be a posture school including targeted and intensive muscle building, reduction of compressive tensions and mobilization of the individual spinal segments.
Information about posture school can also be found in our article Posture School! The therapy is therefore composed of a combination of passive and active contents. Mobilization and expansion of space between the individual segments takes place passively through practiced movements of the therapist from Manual Therapy.
Also loosening is mostly done in a passive way. Exercises from the active part are presented in the following. For a clear insight, short exercises are described for the different therapeutic goals.
The first main goal is to take the pressure off the nerve root. In addition to manual passive pressure relief, there are postures that the patient can adopt himself to relieve the pain by creating space between the vertebrae. Basically, the thoracic spine only needs to be brought to a relaxed length to achieve this.
- On the one hand the “child position” from yoga is suitable here. Sit on your heels and lower your upper body forward until your forehead can be laid down in a relaxed position, touching the floor. The arms are also relaxed at the sides of the body.
This position can be held until the pain subsides if it is felt comfortable.
- When standing, this movement can be intensified. With slightly bent knees, let your upper body be lowered forward, also arms and neck let all tension drop. Remember to straighten up slowly, vertebra by vertebra, as this compresses the nerve root again.
Now, in the active area, the most important aspect is muscle building, as the muscles form a stabilizing scaffold for the spine, which should prevent injuries like the one described.
The entire trunk and support musculature is trained. Abdominal and back muscles tense the spine and hold it in position like the sails hold the mast on a boat. Further helpful exercises for the back can also be found in our article Back school!
You can also find more exercises in our articles
- One exercise that can be used to strengthen the structures without putting further strain on them is bridging, which is done in small steps. For this, lie on your back. The feet stand up about hip-wide.
Make sure that the entire back is lying flat on the floor – especially the lower back must be kept down by abdominal muscle tension. By body control and tension the pelvis is now slowly rolled up and down. After a few repetitions, lift the pelvis off the floor until the abdomen and thighs form a diagonal line.
Lower and lift the pelvis alternately while maintaining full body tension. This strengthens the support muscles buttocks, back and abdomen. In the last step and for experienced patients, hold the pelvis at the top of the diagonal, stretch one leg out and hold the position for some time. The same exercise is also performed on the other side.
- Classical support exercises such as forearm support and push-ups are also suitable for regularly exercising muscles without stressing the structures.
- Physiotherapy for nerve root compression in BWS
- Exercises for BWS
