Sports that prevent a slipped disc
Movements that are easy on the joints are, for example, movements that are performed while swimming. Backstroke in particular is considered to be particularly gentle on the back and should be used regularly in the presence of a slipped disc or other back pain. When swimming, however, swimming styles such as dolphin (butterfly) or breaststroke should be avoided.
In order to support the spine during daily movement, the muscles of the back should be trained by adequate sport. The muscles concerned are the so-called autochthonous back muscles. It is also called the Musculus erector spinae and extends left and right along the spine.
Its task is to stabilize the spine and to straighten and move it. Training this muscle group helps to strengthen the spinal column, exercise corresponding movements in the spinal column more physiologically and thus prevent a slipped disc. The easiest way to train the muscles is to exercise them in a gym, where appropriate equipment is available.
In addition, the latissimus dorsi muscle, which strengthens the back, can also be trained. Sit-ups or so-called “crunches”, where the abdominal muscles are to be trained, should only be performed very gently, as these exercises can put considerable strain on the back muscles. If a herniated disc has already occurred, many patients are faced with the question of restricted mobility and which sports can still be performed at all.
In principle, all sports can be done after a herniated disc, which are also used to prevent back problems, since these are considered to be particularly back-friendly (back swimming, gentle weight lifting to strengthen the back muscles, etc). Sports that should have led to a herniated disc should, if possible, be avoided altogether or practiced in a severely restricted manner in order to prevent the injury from progressing. A doctor or physiotherapist should be consulted to clarify which type of sport and to what extent a sport may be performed.
Pain during sports after herniated disc
According to scientific opinion, in the course of healing a herniated disc, physical activity is recommended to restabilise the spine. However, not all sports are suitable for strengthening the back in relation to the course of the injury. At the beginning of the healing process, gentle sports should therefore be performed.
In all movements and sports after a herniated disc, it is important to note that activity should be interrupted in case of pain. Especially when the pain occurs on the back and may even radiate to other parts of the body, an immediate interruption of the sport is advisable. If pain occurs, this means that the nerves that run in the spine may be affected by the movement.
If strong pain occurs, a doctor should always be consulted for clarification. At the beginning of the therapy of a herniated disc often physiotherapeutic measures are in the foreground. The treating physiotherapist will pay close attention to the exercises that cause pain and can therefore recommend individual exercises and sports. The resilience increases in the course of healing. The speed is very individually different.
