Answered by SecondMedic Expert
Orthopedic Surgeon · Orthopaedics
Yes, you can still work out if you have been diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation. However, it is important to be especially careful when exercising, as exercising without caution may worsen the herniation and cause further pain or injury. That said, there are plenty of exercises that can help strengthen and support your lower back while minimizing the risk of additional harm.
To begin with, focus on low-impact workouts such as walking or swimming. These activities will allow you to exercise without putting too much strain on your back; they’ll also improve overall fitness levels while helping maintain a healthy weight - both of which will make managing your condition easier in the long run. Additionally, these activities are enjoyable enough that they will motivate sustained commitment over time which is beneficial for overall workout routine maintenance and adherence to a healthier lifestyle in general.
Next, incorporate core strengthening exercises into your daily routine to help stabilize your spine and protect it from future injury (such as planks or crunches). Back extensions (elevating the hips off the ground) are also recommended for improving range of motion in those with disc herniations; however this exercise should only be done under supervision from a physical therapist who can adjust form accordingly for optimal safety and performance benefits.
Finally – always remember to warm up before any type of workout activity by doing light stretching or slowly increasing intensity through shorter durations at first before progressing into longer sessions/more intense movements over time . Doing so will help reduce stress on weakened muscles due to spinal issues like lumbar disc herniation while concurrently providing improved longevity when participating in physical activities during recovery periods moving forward!
