Physiotherapy Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is divided into 5 different stages according to “Meyerding”. The degree is divided according to the position of the trailing edge of the slipped vertebra on the vertebra below. In severe cases of spondylolisthesis, surgical intervention is necessary.

In mild spondylolisthesis, the treatment options are very good. 1. Static tensing of the extensors This exercise strengthens the extensor muscles of the neck without straining the intervertebral discs.

When lying down, cross your hands behind your head. Now press the head into the pad and hold the tension for 10 seconds. Continue to breathe normally.

Avoid press breathing or the typical holding of air. Relax for 10 seconds. Now tighten again for 10 seconds.

Repeat the exercise about 5-10 times. This exercise strengthens the flexor muscles of the neck without straining the intervertebral discs. While lying down bend the head as far as possible.

The shoulders should lift slightly and you can feel the tension in the chest muscles. Hold the tension for 10 seconds. Continue to breathe normally.

Avoid squeeze breathing or the typical holding of air. Relax for 10 seconds. Now tense again for 10 seconds.

Repeat the exercise about 5-10 times. 3rd front wall During this exercise the small neck muscles (Multifidi) are also trained dynamically. Stand in front of a wall about 1 foot away.

Cross your arms behind your back. The whole body is straightened up and you slowly tilt forward until only your forehead is in contact with the wall. Now turn your whole body slightly to the right and left while keeping the tension in your neck muscles.

Relax for 10 seconds. Now repeat for about 20 seconds. Repeat the exercise about 5-10 times.

Further exercises for the cervical spine, which are also used in spondylolisthesis, can be found in the articles:

  • Exercises HWS Syndrome
  • Spinal canal stenosis HWS exercises

1. dry swimming This exercise strengthens the extensor muscles of the back without straining the intervertebral discs. In prone position lift the upper body slightly and stretch the arms forward. Now they make the typical movement with their arms like in breaststroke.

Repeat the exercise depending on your condition and strength. Pay particular attention to your breathing. Avoid press breathing.

2. cat’s hump and horse’s back A training of the abdominal and back muscles can be achieved very well with this exercise. Put yourself in the four-footed position. The hands are about shoulder width apart.

Now they alternately do a cat hump and a hollow back. If you suffer from a ski jump phenomenon or a general hollow back posture, you should only do the cat hump. Hold the respective position for about 10 seconds.

3. aft A training for the abdominal and deep back muscles can be effectively implemented with this exercise. When standing, the feet are about shoulder width apart. The knees are slightly bent.

The arms are stretched out forward and the hands are crossed like when praying. Now draw an 8 with your hands. Start with slow big movements and end with small fast movements.

Repeat the exercise depending on your condition and strength. An increase of the exercise takes place in the one-legged position. 4.

Static forearm support Here the abdominal and back muscles are trained. Put yourself in the push-up position. The forearms rest on the floor.

The hands are about shoulder width apart. Make sure that the back does not sag. Hold the position for about 5-10 seconds.

The exercise can be increased by keeping one leg stretched in the air. More exercises for the stability of the BWS can be found in the articles:

  • Bechterew’s disease
  • Exercises against a hunchback

1. isometric tensing This training primarily promotes torso stability. Put yourself in the supine position.

The legs are inclined and the arms are placed to the side of the body. Now press your heels into the support, pull your feet up towards the ceiling, tense your abdomen and press your arms into the support. Hold the tension for 10 seconds.

Repeat the exercise 5-10 times. 2. isometric tensing with chest muscles This exercise also promotes torso stability in particular. Put yourself in the supine position.

The legs are bent, the arms in front of the body, the elbows point to the side and the hands are interlocked. Now press your heels into the pad, pull your feet up towards the ceiling, tense your stomach and pull your arms apart against the resistance of your hands.Hold the voltage for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise 5-10 times.

3. isometric tensing with abdominal muscles As with exercises 1 and 2, this workout primarily promotes trunk stability. Put yourself in the supine position. The legs are turned on, hands rest on the thighs.

Now press your heels into the pad, pull your feet up towards the ceiling, tense your abdomen and press your hands against your thighs. Hold the tension for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise 5-10 times.

4. train your abdominal muscles in a targeted manner Move into the supine position. The legs are in an upright position, the arms are crossed in front of the body and the hands rest on the shoulders. Now tense your abdominal muscles and lift your upper body slightly from the floor.

Repeat the exercise 5-10 times. Pay attention to even breathing and rhythmic execution of the exercise. If you also want to train the oblique abdominal muscles, turn the upper body to the right and left. Further good exercises for the lumbar spine in case of an existing spondylolisthesis can be found in the articles:

  • Physiotherapy for spondylolysis
  • Exercises for spinal canal stenosis in the lumbar spine
  • Exercises against a hollow back