Exercises

Exercises in nerve root compression should be discussed individually with the treating physician or therapist to avoid worsening of symptoms. As a general rule, movements that cause a significant worsening should be avoided for the time being and should only be performed after consultation. Light mobilization exercises, such as tilting the pelvis, can be helpful.

For this, the patient is in an upright position on a stool or a chair. The patient grasps the pelvic bones with his hands and tilts the pelvis forward and backward, with the pelvic bones looking down forward once and straightening up backward once. The movement of the pelvis continues into the lumbar spine and can promote gentle mobilization.

The so-called bridging is a stabilization exercise. Here the patient lies in a supine position on a support, the legs are positioned so that the knees are bent at an angle of about 90°. First, a basic tension is built up, which is very important to stabilize the spine and prevent further irritation of the nerve root.

To do this, the patient first tenses the buttocks, then the abdominal muscles by pulling the navel with the exhalation towards the spine, then gently presses the arms next to the body into the pad and makes a slight double chin. While holding this basic tension, he now lifts the buttocks from the pad until they are in line with the thighs. After 2 – 5 seconds the buttocks are lowered again to just above the floor and then lifted again. The exercise can be performed in 3 sets of 15 repetitions.

Nerve Root Compression in BWS

Nerve root compression is less frequent in BWS than in the lumbar spine, since the thoracic spine is significantly more stable due to the thorax and thus less incorrect strain is applied. Herniated discs are also extremely rare in BWS. However, if nerve root compression occurs in thoracic spine surgery, e.g. due to a tumor, damage to the intercostal nerves (intercostal neuropathies) can occur.The nerves of the thoracic spine do not form nerve plexuses, but run almost like a belt around the body to innervate the skin areas of the thorax. If, for example, the nerve root of the 6th thoracic vertebral segment is compressed, this can lead to penetrating neuropathic pain in the area of the 6th rib.