Exercises for degenerative disc disease

Degenerative disc disease can cause a variety of disc conditions, especially herniated discs and bulging discs. Regardless of what other treatments you get for degenerative disc disease, it's important that regular stretching and exercise becomes a part of your routine. This will prevent future flare-ups and help manage your symptoms.

The best exercises for your particular situation will depend on where your affected discs are and how your symptoms manifest. For example, if you have sciatica caused by your disc disease, you will want to perform stretches on the hamstrings and lower back, while cervical discs are better treated with neck stretches.

There are certain exercises which can help with most degenerative disc disease cases regardless of how the condition manifests itself. These exercises help increase the strength of the core and back, which reduces the amount of weight that the spine bears. In addition, exercising and stretching helps to increase blood flow to the discs, which promotes healing. Good exercises include:

• Planks - To perform a classic plank, lay on your stomach with your toes tucked and your elbows under your shoulders. Raise up to your elbows, keeping your body straight from your head to your toes, like with a push-up. Hold 20 seconds. If this is too hard, you can do the exercise on your knees. 

• Toe touch - For a full-back stretch, reach for your toes with your legs straight. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds or so, then slowly rise back up, allowing your back to straighten vertebrae by vertebrae.  

• Bridge - Lie on your back with your feet on the ground, then raise your hips off the ground. The goal is to make a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Hold for 15 seconds; repeat several times.
  

None of these exercises should hurt; if they do, either reduce the stretch or stop. It's important to perform any disc exercises under the guidance of a doctor. To schedule a consultation today, please click below or call the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center at (646) 374-1799.