Exercise for Healing a Herniated Disc

Poll an audience of herniated disc sufferers, and most likely you'll find them able to tell you exactly the time, place, and nature of the injury. After having been a nurse for many years, and thinking myself quite empathetic, a back injury provided me with new insight to the world of pain. While preventing a fainting patient from falling, improper use of my own body mechanics resulted in the heniation of 3 discs in my lower back.
The pain was immediate, mind bending, and long lasting. Compared to this, child birth, kidney stones, and the occasional broken bone, began to look like child's play. Fortunately there is a fairly standardized protocol for treatment which leads to blessed relief.
Discs act as cushions for the spine while providing flexibility. Made up of two components, the annulus a tough outer layer surrounds a jellylike nucleus, and is held in place by a network of ligaments. Heniation occurs when part of the nucleus is pushed through the annulus into the spinal canal. Disc heniation can occur in any part of the spine but more commonly occur in the lower back. Most often disc heniation is caused by:
• Heavy strains which put increased pressure on the spine
• Sudden twisting movements
• Repetitive movements such as sports or continual heavy labor
• Normal aging and the degeneration of both discs and ligaments
Although it is well within the realm of possibility to have a herniated disc and not know it, most of us who have had them know immediately. Symptoms of a herniated disc vary greatly with the location and size of the injured disc.
Most involve pain and numbness in the area of the spine and extremities surrounding the location of the injury, often accompanied by muscle pain and spasm. It is also not uncommon for a disc, once herniated to press on the nerves which are intricately woven throughout the spine. Symptoms of this would include a feeling of pins and needles or weakness in extremities. Occasionally in a lower back heniation loss of bowel or bladder control can occur.
Once the pictures have been taken and the diagnosis made, the majority of herniated discs will heal on their own. The percentage of herniated discs requiring surgery is relatively small. In either case, the importance of exercise cannot be stressed enough. Speaking from experience as one of the few who did require surgery, my recovery and return to work was greatly facilitated through exercise
Only a doctor or a physical therapist can determine the best exercise program for you, based on the extent and location of your injury. For all injuries the ultimate goal is to strengthen the muscles surrounding the injured disc stronger, therefore relieving strain and decreasing pain.
Generally this is achieved in steps, first through simple stretching exercises, gradually adding more, and increasing difficulty levels. Not all exercises are created equal and anything too strenuous should be avoided, even after pain has decreased. Many (myself included) find activities such as swimming, brisk walking, and yoga most beneficial.
After you've herniated a disc you may feel like exercising the most painful part of your body is the last thing you want to do. Trust me, after being on both sides of the fence next to pain medication,movement is the best form of relief. Research programs you think might interest you, talk to your doctor, and keep moving.