Exercises

In the case of nerve root compression in the thoracic spine, it is important to start early with light sports activities and movement exercises. After all, movement leads to increased blood circulation and better regeneration processes. All sports that are easy on the back and can be performed with an upright posture, such as Nordic walking or backstroke, are suitable for this purpose.

Sports that compress the spine and are associated with increased pressure must first be avoided. These include riding or trampoline jumping. A prerequisite for all movements is that the patient should be virtually pain-free.

If necessary, the muscles must first be loosened by an experienced physiotherapist. Exercises that both strengthen the muscles and also lead to an alleviation of the complaints are for example the following. 1.)

The patient takes up a heel position. If this is accompanied by stretching pain, the patient can clamp a cushion between his thighs and his buttocks. Now the patient stretches out his arms stretched forward and leans forward with his upright spine until his hands are resting on the floor.

The patient can now maximize this extension by trying to crawl further and further forward with his hands. His buttocks, however, remain on his heels. 2.)

The patient rolls a towel into a tube and lays it vertically on the floor. Now the patient lies down on the towel in such a way that his thoracic spine is also lying vertically on the towel. The feet are positioned hip-wide and the arms are laid down next to the head in a U-position.

This position should be maintained for about 5 minutes. 3.) The patient takes the forearm support: only the forearms and the tips of the toes touch the floor.

The legs are stretched out and the spine is straight. This position should be held for 10 seconds at a time. More exercises can be found here:

Exercises for nerve root compression
Exercises for thoracic spine
Exercises slipped disc in thoracic spine