Sports with a herniated disc

Sport is particularly important in the case of a slipped disc in the cervical spine. Many think of a herniated disc first of all of strict bed rest and protection. However, this is only partly correct.

Of course, sports that burden the spine should be avoided. These are especially contact sports, such as soccer or basketball. Endurance sports such as swimming, hiking, cycling and walking, on the other hand, are particularly suitable because they do not compress the spine.

Jogging can be damaging under certain circumstances, since a great deal of force is exerted on the intervertebral disc. You should clarify this with your doctor in each individual case. Particular attention should be paid to the strengthening of the muscles, especially in the case of a slipped disc of the cervical spine, this not only accelerates the healing process but also prevents later damage or the development of a new disc herniation.

It is therefore advisable to start with physiotherapy or physiotherapy immediately after suffering a herniated disc in the cervical spine. The physiotherapist can then show the affected person exercises to strengthen, stretch, relax or mobilize the cervical spine to regain full strength as quickly as possible. Exercises from physiotherapy can be found in the articles:

Mobility of the cervical spine
What is the best way to stretch the cervical spine?
Cervical spine mobilization exercises
Spinal canal stenosis HWS exercises

Duration

How long a herniated disc or the rehabilitation process afterwards takes depends on many factors. Was the treatment surgical or conservative? If surgical: What type of surgery was performed?

In which area of the cervical spine is the herniated disc located? What is the patient’s general state of fitness? How old is the patient and are there other diseases?

Does the patient adhere to his training plan? Is care taken to minimize the risk of further injury in everyday life (correct posture, no forbidden sports, etc)? All these questions and some more influence the individual rehabilitation process and thus the time until full recovery.

A slipped disc in the cervical spine can therefore last from a few weeks to several months. Your treating physician can give you more detailed information based on control examinations. Also when a return to the respective sport is possible again.

Was the treatment surgical or conservative?
If surgical: What type of surgery was performed?
In which area of the cervical spine is the herniated disc located?
What is the patient’s general state of fitness?
How old is the patient and are there any other diseases?
Does the patient stick to his training plan?
Is care taken to minimize the risk of further injury in everyday life (correct posture, no forbidden sports, etc)?