How to do spinal stretching for a hernia at home

Spinal stretch.

Performing stretches for a herniated disc at home is often clinically more effective than squats, bending or twisting. This is explained by an increase in the distance between the vertebral bodies and the elimination of compression of the spinal roots and blood vessels. Stretching is a unique alternative to dry or underwater traction, used by chiropractors when intervertebral discs are displaced.

The bulge is not MRI.

Exercises on the horizontal bar

To achieve a stretching effect, exercises on a horizontal bar or crossbar, which can be installed at home, are excellent. To get rid of the disease, 1-2 approaches per day will be enough. You should not suddenly jump off and climb onto the bar, so as not to further injure your spine. The horizontal bar should be located low enough, at a distance of arms outstretched.

So, to get rid of a hernia, hanging on a horizontal bar is perfect. To complete the task, grab the bar with a forward or reverse grip, alternating the method of your position. You should be in this position for 10 to 30 seconds.
The next exercise is a corner. When performing a hang, carefully lift your legs to a 90° angle. If this method is difficult for you, you can bend your knees. In addition to the fact that this task helps straighten the spinal column, you can become the owner of excellent abs, because the abdominal muscles are also involved.
Pull-ups are one of the most effective exercises. At first, do your workouts using a stool. In this way, the spine is stretched with little support on the legs. It will be possible to switch to full-fledged exercises only after a year. Muscles stretch for a very long time, so the results will not be visible immediately.

Stretching with weights

One option for stretching with weights is hanging with your knees bent. Physically trained patients can smoothly lift them to the level of the abdomen, the muscles of which are also actively involved during the exercise. Untrained patients should use a small support - a chair or stool.

Doctors also recommend regularly performing bridge exercises. To do this, lie on your back, stretch your arms along the body and slowly raise your pelvis, focusing on your feet, shoulders and shoulder blades. To stretch, you should do 10 exercises daily in 2 sets.

A few words about hernia

Few people have heard of intervertebral hernia, and since the disease is becoming more common, more and more people, turning to a doctor with pain, receive just such a diagnosis. A hernia is a pathology associated with damage to the intervertebral discs. This, one might say, is an acute form of osteochondrosis. When a herniation occurs, the intervertebral disc is damaged, its outer and fairly hard shell ruptures, and through the resulting gap, the softer, gel-like internal contents protrude. This disease is accompanied by severe pain and, under certain circumstances, can lead to disability for the patient.

The disease is also characterized by the development of inflammatory processes and the inability to perform a number of normal activities. As a rule, a hernia is provoked by a lack or excessive amount of physical activity, a long absence of movement (for example, prolonged sitting or standing motionless in one place, etc.), sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress, hereditary factors, underdeveloped muscle corset.

Hernia treatment should begin without delay. Otherwise, as a result of compression of the spinal cord roots, there is a high risk of paralysis of parts of the body and problems with the functioning of internal organs.

It is important to remember that you can suspect a hernia quite early - at the first sign of pain, it is important to see a doctor. And the earlier the disease is detected, the greater the chances of coping with the pathology faster and easier.

Anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs to relieve inflammation, analgesic drugs to eliminate pain. Taking vitamins and a number of other medications that improve the nutrition of the tissues of the spinal column.

Giving up bad habits, including foods that are good for the musculoskeletal system in the menu. Weight control.

Elimination of excessive physical activity. Exercise therapy classes. Spinal stretching exercises.

Acupuncture, electrophoresis and so on. Any procedures recommended by a doctor.

Causes of development of spinal pathology

The appearance of a hernia is caused by the influence of various unfavorable factors. These include:

Age-related changes.
Increased physical activity. Hernias are an occupational disease for athletes, as well as people engaged in physical labor, especially involving heavy lifting.
Sedentary work. A sedentary lifestyle leads to weakening of the muscle corset. It is not able to hold the spine in the desired position, which provokes the process of disc destruction and the appearance of hernias .
injuries . They provoke disruption of tissue nutrition, changes in the shape and position of the vertebrae, which leads to damage to the discs.
Complications arising due to the progression of various back diseases. Most often, the impetus for the development of hernias is the lack of proper treatment for lumbar osteochondrosis.
Genetic predisposition (for example, weakness of the annulus fibrosus, inherited).

Types of traction

Spinal traction can be performed in various ways. Different physiotherapists prefer one method or another, based on their clinical experience and practice. Each traction method has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Horizontal

Traction is performed on a horizontal traction table. The back muscles must first be warmed up. To do this, use heating pads or massage techniques. After this, the patient is placed on the table, his shoulders and lower limbs are secured, and loads that weigh up to 10 kg begin to be applied. This manipulation helps to stretch the spinal column and increase the spaces between its structural units.

After the procedure, the patient is recommended to wear a special corset, the task of which is to maintain the correct position of the spinal column. The duration of the session is selected individually, but for a full therapeutic course the patient will have to visit the manipulation room at least 20 times.

Vertical

Vertical traction is based on the patient's own weight. The classic vertical method is hanging on a horizontal bar. In some cases, a small weight is attached to the lower extremities to provide additional traction.

underwater

To perform underwater traction you will need a bathroom or a swimming pool and a traction table. But after securing the patient on the table, he is immersed under water up to neck level. The angle of inclination can vary between almost horizontal and vertical.

The water temperature is kept within 37°C (physiological indicator for the human body). The session can last from 5 minutes to 1-2 hours. The physiotherapist individually selects the weight of the additional load. The duration of the therapeutic course for intervertebral hernia can be from 14 to 20 sessions.

Dry

To perform the procedure, special traction tables are used, on which the patient is secured. In addition, the process uses rollers, cables or belts. The spine is stretched in a wave-like manner, with emphasis placed either on the left or on the right side. Such manipulations are reminiscent of sports stretching.

By using short-term or long-term traction, a physical therapist can reduce muscle-tonic syndrome, return displaced vertebrae to the desired position, and thereby lengthen the spine.

Exercise therapy

The scope of exercises for a lumbar hernia is expanding, because you need to strengthen the muscular corset of the back and lower extremities, as well as recreate the correct posture:

Lying on your stomach. Bring and abduct the right and left legs alternately from the body.
Lying on your stomach. The doctor bends and straightens the leg at the hip, holding it for 5-7 seconds in an extended position.
Lying on your side on the side of your healthy leg, move your affected leg away from your body, bent at the knee.
Lying on your stomach, lift your straight leg first by a small angle, then by a larger angle.
Walking with a bag filled with clean sand weighing up to 500 grams on your head. Step over imaginary obstacles without bending your back. Also, without slouching, squat down, trying not to drop the bag.
Standing with your back to the gymnastics wall, straighten your back and slightly move your pelvis back so that the shoulder blades of the buttocks, calf muscles and heels touch the wall. Raising yourself on your toes, stand there for 3-5 seconds, then return to the starting position.

Exercises with gymnastic apparatuses: balls, dumbbells, gymnastic sticks are also carried out under the supervision of an instructor. It is also necessary to perform half-hangs (on the horizontal bar, but without releasing your legs) and, gradually, hangs. It is also important to do exercises on stairs.

Contraindications

Despite the fact that spinal traction has a beneficial effect on the condition of the musculoskeletal system, this procedure has contraindications.

severe diseases of the cardiovascular system;
hypertension of 2 and 3 degrees;
oncology;
disturbances in the functioning of the respiratory system;
infectious diseases;
spinal instability;
sequestered hernia
hernia;
pregnancy.

Contraindications may arise if, after 2-3 trial tractions, the condition worsens: additional pain syndrome and discomfort in the spinal column appear. In this case, you should stop exercising and consult a doctor.

It is recommended to cancel the procedure even if there is no improvement after 5-7 procedures.

Stages of the disease

Lumbar spinal hernia is characterized by different signs at certain stages of disease progression. Currently, each patient has the opportunity to stop the development of the disease and prevent the risk of serious consequences, as well as to treat a hernia of the lumbar spine without surgery , for this it is necessary to visit a competent specialist in a timely manner. Below we will talk about the main stages characteristic of this pathology:

Prolapse. In this case, there is a slight change in the position of the disk. There is a possibility of its return to its usual place, subject to the cessation of the negative impact;
Protrusion. There is a strong displacement of the location of the disc, but it does not protrude beyond the boundaries of the vertebrae;
Extrusion. The nucleus is displaced beyond the boundaries of the vertebrae;
Sequestration. It is characterized by the appearance of cracks in the area of the fibrous ring. In this case, there is a displacement of the pulp beyond the line marked by the vertebrae.

Skeletal traction for spinal hernia

What is this treatment method based on?

Spinal traction during a hernia is carried out naturally and mechanically. The goal of this method is to increase the distance between the vertebrae and, accordingly, reduce the pressure on the nerve fibers. During the procedure, muscle fibers are lengthened, natural blood circulation is normalized, and normal metabolism is restored.

Pulling or stretching can be done using a dry or wet method, after the period of exacerbation of the disease has passed. Underwater traction is used not only to treat hernias. With its help, it is possible to alleviate the condition of patients with scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis, etc.

Advantages and disadvantages of this method

Possibility of avoiding drug treatment
Rapid relief of the patient's condition
Reducing pathological tension in the muscular system
Reducing the voltage inside the disk space
Decompression of the nerve roots and, accordingly, reduction of swelling

Repeated relapse of the disease
Microtraumas of neighboring departments
Increased swelling and increased inflammatory processes

We advise you to study – Belt for back posture

One of the most common reasons given by opponents of this method is that traction provokes the formation of a hernia. And there is some truth in this statement, but only a small part of it. The fact is that traction will only be effective if the patient strictly adheres to all the recommendations given by the physiotherapist during treatment.

Important! Spinal traction for a herniated cervical spine is associated with serious limitations for the patient. For approximately two months, it is recommended to wear a corset, observe restrictions on lifting heavy objects, and many other recommendations.

Any violations in this regard are associated with a high probability of recurrence of a hernia. If the patient is not mentally and physically ready to strictly follow the instructions, it is best to look for another alternative treatment method.

Contraindications for the use of stretching

Exacerbation of the inflammatory process
Patients for whom surgery is recommended
Diseases of the heart and vascular system
Disturbances in the functioning of the kidneys and liver, especially during exacerbation

Dry back stretch

It can be both horizontal and vertical. It is performed using special traction tables. The spine is stretched under the weight of either the patient's own weight or under the influence of additional load. The course of treatment consists of 15-18 sessions. To consolidate the effect of stretching the spine, the patient is recommended to wear a corset that fixes its correct position for the next two months.

Spinal stretch for hernia under water

Thinning and protrusion of the spinal disc
Radiculitis of the lumbar and cervicobrachial spine

Cicatricial - adhesive process
Significant spinal deformity
After surgical treatment of a hernia

Self-stretching the spine

Typically, this method is most effective when carrying out drug treatment, to consolidate the effect or as a preventive measure. The advantage of such exercises is the ability to perform them independently.

Please note! A set of exercises aimed at treating a hernia by traction of the spine should be prescribed by a resuscitator. Prescribing and performing exercises on your own can lead to a relapse of the disease or its exacerbation.

Should I agree to spinal traction?

A patient who is recommended for skeletal traction for an intervertebral hernia should carefully consider the decision, weighing all the possible complications and advantages of a particular method and consult with the attending physician. Particular attention should be paid to this in patients whose hernia occurred as a result of spinal injuries or in case of relapse after surgical treatment. In any case, competent consultation with a specialist will help you take a thoughtful and balanced treatment that will contribute to the patient’s full recovery.

Spinal stretching at home

The spinal column consists of various zones, the most problematic of which are the lumbar and cervicothoracic. Thanks to their stretching, it is possible to improve blood circulation and normalize metabolic processes. Skeletal flexibility also significantly improves and the intervertebral distance increases. Muscle tension is relieved, pressure in the cavities is reduced.

There are several different approaches to self-stretching that can be done at home.

Training apparatus

Allows:

cure and correct the muscle corset;
relieve muscle tension;
raise tone;
relax the lumbar and cervicothoracic areas;
relieve pressure on nerve endings;
restore blood circulation;
restore intervertebral discs;
relieve pain and fatigue;
form posture;
grow a few centimeters.

US MEDICA FlexyBack Back Stretching Machine

Inversion table

Bestec Air Nobius spinal stretching machine

Back stretching machine

other methods

A regular board or hard bed will help you do passive stretching.
You need to lie on it in the following position: on your back, head hanging down. Stretching is carried out using body weight. The method is not very effective, but if it is not possible to use others, it is quite acceptable. Upside down stretch
It’s a good idea to use a horizontal bar or wall bars.
You just need to hang on these devices. The spine stretches perfectly. The downside is that your hands get tired, but this goes away with time. Exercises on the horizontal bar: possible or not
The third way to do stretching yourself is swimming.
It is universal, has virtually no contraindications and gives a significant effect. For those who constantly swim, the back muscles are relaxed and the load on the intervertebral disc segments is practically removed. Swimming in the pool

To study Massage for spinal compression fracture

Exercises

And the most common, easily accessible and absolutely free way to stretch the spine at home is to perform gymnastic exercises. They are divided into groups and complexes, depending on the disease of the spine and its location. But there are three sets of general preventive and supportive stretching exercises that are recommended for almost everyone (with the exception of the above contraindications). This is a complex of lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine stretches.

Varieties of traction

Traction is divided into several types: according to the location of the procedure, the environment in which the patient’s body is located, and the position of the body itself.

Traction can be performed:

in a specialized medical institution,
at home.

Depending on the position of the patient’s body during the procedure, this can be:

horizontal stretch,
vertical extension.

Horizontal stretching of the spine during hernia is divided into:

Let's take a closer look at all types of procedures.

At home, you can effectively do stretching exercises in an upright position.

Vertical traction is, simply put, stretching the spine on a bar or horizontal bar, where the actual weight of the body itself is used as weight. The patient just needs to hang and stay in this position for a while, no pull-ups!

If this is a stretch of the lower back due to a hernia, then you need to hang as carefully and carefully as possible, only as prescribed by the attending physician and according to the instructions given by him. Any change in the frequency of the procedure or increase in load (for example, the use of weights) must be agreed with the doctor.

Any change in the frequency of the procedure or increase in load (for example, the use of weights) must be agreed with the doctor.

Vertical stretching can also be performed using devices, but in cases where we are not talking about a hernia.

The peculiarity of vertical traction is that it makes sense to do these stretching exercises only for pathologies of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

In the cervical region, with such a stretch, the load on the spine does not change in any way, therefore, for hernias in this area, horizontal stretching is used.

Lying in the water

Underwater horizontal spinal stretching is performed exclusively in specialized rooms and with a large volume of water: in a treatment bath or in a swimming pool. Carrying out this procedure in a home bath is impossible.

During underwater traction, a person is in water with a human body temperature, but not higher than 37°C.

The body must be secured so that the patient does not plunge headlong into the water, since weights are attached to the pelvic area, the weight of which can reach 20-30 kg.

The duration of traction is determined by the attending physician and can range from 5 minutes to 2-3 hours, depending on the severity of the disease.

The same factor determines the duration of treatment, usually no more than 20 sessions. Patients note that with underwater treatment, the lower back hurts less after stretching than with dry treatment.

Dry traction

Dry stretching is especially recommended for those with a lumbar hernia.

Before the procedure itself, the spastic state of the paravertebral muscles is first relieved by warming up (regular heating pads, dry heat), massage (this also improves blood circulation in the area of pathology) or a warm (not hot!) bath.

Then the spinal column is stretched using hardware.

Should we listen to the skeptics?

For all the “for” there are also “against” voices.

With an existing hernia, traction does not remove the protrusion itself, but only temporarily relieves pressure on the disc. At the end of the procedure, the pathological status quo is restored.
With significant deformations of the vertebral tissue, stretching can aggravate the situation, damaging them even more.

In general, traction can only be prescribed by a doctor and only after examining the patient.

Denial of responsibility

The information in the articles is for general information purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis of health problems or for therapeutic purposes. This article is not a substitute for medical advice from a doctor (neurologist, therapist). Please consult your doctor first to know the exact cause of your health problem.

Under what conditions are the exercises done?

Before training, the neurologist refers the patient to a physical therapy doctor with a medical record and x-rays. A set of exercises is compiled taking into account the stage of the pathology, the type and size of the hernial protrusion:

if it is large enough, there is a possibility of hernia rupture and complications developing, then the patient is recommended to attend classes at a rehabilitation center;
If the discs are slightly displaced, you can train at home, but only with the obligatory observance of medical recommendations. When stretching, sudden jerky movements, which can provoke the appearance of pain and aggravate the course of the pathology, are strictly prohibited.

Stretching exercises at home.

The first training sessions should take place under the supervision of an instructor or a physical therapy doctor in a physical hospital department or a rehabilitation center. They are equipped with special devices that allow you to minimize the load on the spine when stretching. You can also do exercises on horizontal bars located in the courtyards of multi-story buildings.

A few words about hernia

We advise you to study - Exercises for lumbar osteochondrosis

A herniated disc is the displacement of part of a deformed intervertebral disc.

Symptoms of a herniated disc

Hernia needs immediate treatment

Table. Methods used for treatment.

Methodology	Characteristic
Use of medications	Anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs to relieve inflammation, analgesic drugs to eliminate pain. Taking vitamins and a number of other medications that improve the nutrition of the tissues of the spinal column.
Lifestyle change	Giving up bad habits, including foods that are good for the musculoskeletal system in the menu. Weight control.
Physical activity	Elimination of excessive physical activity. Exercise therapy classes. Spinal stretching exercises.
Physiotherapy and others	Acupuncture, electrophoresis and so on. Any procedures recommended by a doctor.

The essence of treatment and the meaning of the procedure

It is important to know! Doctors are shocked: “An effective and affordable remedy for joint pain exists...” Read more...

Intervertebral hernia of any location is a common complication of osteochondrosis. The development of this degenerative-destructive pathology is accompanied by thinning, compaction of the intervertebral disc, and loss of its shock-absorbing properties. With osteochondrosis of 2-3 degrees, the fibrous ring is stratified, and the nucleus pulposus is displaced into the spinal canal. Often the integrity of the ring is completely disrupted with the formation of a dangerous ruptured hernia. Against the background of a thinned disc of the adjacent vertebral body:

lose stability;
begin to move freely relative to each other;
infringe on the spinal roots.

Methods

Stretching of the spine during a hernia is carried out in the following ways: passive, underwater, dry, with the help of physical therapy exercises. Let's look at each of these methods:

Passive. This method involves the patient wearing a special rigid corset for a long time. The procedure eliminates the hernia problem, but there is a side effect: the muscle fibers atrophy. To restore their natural functioning, it is necessary to perform exercise therapy exercises for a long time and diligently. Underwater. Underwater spinal traction for a hernia is performed in sanatoriums. This is the gentlest method of exposure, since under water all the patient’s muscles relax, and there are no unpleasant sensations when stretching. The manipulation is carried out in a special bathroom. The patient takes a lying position on a special inclined surface. The patient is secured with special straps and lowered into the water. Then the belts are tightened, and due to this, the spine is stretched during a hernia. Under the influence of water, the treatment session proceeds smoothly and comfortably for the patient. The course of treatment consists of 15 sessions. Dry. Stretching for a spinal hernia using the dry method is carried out in a horizontal or vertical position. The patient is placed on a special traction table, with the head lying on an elevation. The arms are secured with loops. Back traction during a hernia occurs under the patient’s own weight or with the use of additional weights. When using this method of traction, the doctor has the opportunity to keep the process under control and, if necessary, change its intensity. The procedure time varies from a few minutes to three hours. The dry stretching method gives effective results after 18 sessions. After the procedure, to consolidate the effect, patients use a special corset to fix the vertebrae in the correct position. Physiotherapy. Exercises are selected only by a physical therapy specialist, who, when drawing up a training plan, will take into account in which part of the spine the hernia has formed.

It is important to remember a number of rules when practicing physical therapy: you can start doing exercises only during the period of remission, at first a minimum load is given with a gradual increase taking into account the patient’s well-being, maintain regular training, the optimal schedule is every other day, avoid twisting the back, avoid running and jumping and vertical loads on the back, if pain occurs, exercises should be stopped and consult your doctor.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms that raise serious concerns that you may have a lumbar hernia include:

Lumbar pain is not concentrated in one place, but radiates to the calf muscles and feet. If the sciatic nerve is involved in the process, then the pain can acquire the characteristic features of sciatica, radiating to the sacrum, gluteal muscles, groin, and thigh.
The pain occurred immediately after a sudden movement or bending, or when lifting heavy objects. You should be especially alarmed by the appearance of sudden sharp pain when trying to lift something heavy in a tilted position - this is the situation that most often provokes displacement or even prolapse of the disc. This occurs because the height of the lumbar discs is higher than in other parts of the spine, and the longitudinal ligaments are weaker and narrower.
At the same time, other sensations are observed: loss of sensitivity, feeling of numbness, tingling, crawling, weakness in the knee joint, ankle, foot.
Intestinal colic appears, urination and potency are impaired.

The pathological process occurs in the following stages:

Prolapse - minimal displacement. The disc, in the absence of any deformation, can return to its place. The manifestation of pain syndrome is insignificant.
Protrusion. The disc is still limited by the vertebral bodies, but has already undergone one more, additional displacement after it has already been displaced.
Extrusion and sequestration. Between the vertebrae the nucleus, displaced outward, sags. Subsequently, the capsule breaks and its contents flow out.

Without treatment, as the hernia progresses, the patient often develops lumbodynia of the spine in the lumbosacral region. Its symptoms are acute “shooting” pain, instantly aggravated by minor movements and limitation of general mobility for a long period. The patient sometimes remains in this state for several weeks.

Execution technique

There are several types of spinal stretching due to hernia. Depending on the method of implementation, dry traction on a crossbar, on a special board, and water straightening in a special pool in a medical institution are distinguished. The body position for each type can be horizontal or vertical.

You can perform a regular hang on a horizontal bar even at home. At first, you are allowed to hang for no more than 20-30 seconds and gradually increase the duration, be sure to coordinate all changes with a physical therapy doctor. To complicate the task, while hanging on the horizontal bar, you can try to raise your legs until they are parallel to the floor; sometimes your legs are bent at the knees if it is too difficult to lift straight lines. Advanced level - pull-ups that straighten the spinal column and strengthen the back muscles. At first, it is advisable to place a stool under your feet so as not to do the exercise in full amplitude and avoid injury.

You can find such equipment in the gym or purchase it for your home at a sports store. Its advantage is the ability to adjust the angle of inclination to suit you. For convenience, these exercise machines are equipped with hand loops. To stretch a vertebral hernia, you should set the board at an angle of no more than 40°, lie down, grab the loops with your hands and hang. At the first stage, the hanging time should not last longer than 5 minutes, and as the muscles and ligaments strengthen, extend it up to 20 minutes. To make the task more difficult, perform bicycle or right angle leg raises.

A good way to strengthen the abdominal muscles, spine, arms, and improve posture is to stand on your toes and stand on your elbows - a plank. The stand time starts at 20 seconds and is increased daily by another 5 seconds. You can make the plank more difficult by raising one leg or arm in the air. Yoga classes are useful, as they also stretch muscles and joints, increase blood flow and heal the body.

To cool down after stretching, it is advisable to lie on the floor, relax and just lie down for 1-2 minutes. Walking on all fours helps unload the muscles. Stretching the spine during a hernia is not a panacea that will completely eliminate the disease. If performed correctly and following the rules, stretching and exercise therapy will help stop the progression of the hernia and get rid of painful symptoms.

Varieties of traction

Stretching can be done on your own, but it is better to consult a chiropractor. He will carry out basic manipulations (dry or underwater traction), and training at home will allow you to consolidate the therapeutic result. If after the main treatment there is still pain in the neck, chest or lower back, the doctor recommends training on special exercise machines. They help to dose dynamic and sometimes static loads.

For hanging, a horizontal bar on the street or a bar installed in a room or corridor is suitable. During training, it is strictly forbidden to jump up to grab or suddenly jump off after hanging. The crossbar should be set at a low height in advance so that it can be reached with your hands. Outdoors you need to use a stool or small bench.

When performing the exercise, both direct and reverse grip are used. Alternating them is also useful. Hanging at the initial stage of training should not last longer than 10 seconds. As the muscular corset of the back strengthens and the distance between the vertebrae increases, the exercise is performed in 2 sets of 30 seconds.

Lying in the water

At home, it is only possible to consolidate the results of underwater spinal traction (traction) performed by a chiropractor. There are several methods of this treatment procedure developed by Lisunov, Oliferenko, Kiselev. For traction, you need a shallow pool or bathtub, which is equipped with special shields. They are located at a certain angle depending on the location of the hernial protrusion. During the procedure, only the patient's head is secured with straps.

We advise you to study - Bandage for the lumbosacral spine

Traction is continuous, with constant mechanical impact on the spinal column. A variable horizontal increase in the distance between the vertebral bodies is also practiced. During the procedure, breaks are taken with mandatory relaxation. Alternating traction is considered a more gentle method, but also the most effective.

Dry traction

Stretching at home is a lightweight version of dry traction, which is performed in rehabilitation centers under the supervision of a physical therapy doctor. This method of therapy involves eliminating the displacement of intervertebral discs under the influence of its own weight. The patient is positioned on special tables located at a certain angle and equipped with convex ribs.

Using weights, the doctor performs traction, controlling the static loads that arise. During the procedure, the patient experiences virtually no pain. Within 30 minutes, the spinal column is stretched by about a centimeter.

Treatment of diseases by traction of the spine

Traction is indicated for problems with mobility and flexibility of the back. Similar situations include:

compression changes in the spine;
fissure of the fibrous ring;
infringement of the capsule of the intervertebral disc;
pseudospondylolisthesis (vertebral instability);
dorsalgia (back pain);
radiculoneuropathy (nerve compression);
spinal deformity;
rachiocampsis;
acute radicular syndrome;
deforming arthrosis;
spondyloarthrosis (restricted mobility of the spine);
subacute radicular ischemic syndromes;
spondylosis (growths on the vertebrae);
neurogenic pain;
secondary vertebrobvisceralgia (vertebral artery syndrome, cervical syndrome, glenohumeral syndrome, costoclavicular syndrome, scalene muscle syndrome, Meniere's syndrome, secondary vertebrocardialgia, etc.);
debut of ankylosing spondylitis.

Underwater traction

Procedures in hydrotherapy baths have a dual effect: firstly, the spinal column is stretched with accompanying healing processes; secondly, heated mineral waters have a positive effect on the patient.

The patient is fastened with special belts to a hard surface, then the patient is immersed in water. Loads are suspended from the belt with a gradual increase in weight, and then with a consistent decrease. Thanks to the tension in the lower back, the natural curvature of the spine is slightly reduced, which helps dull or eliminate radicular pain.

Traction as a method of combating a hernia gives the patient the following:

eliminates pain syndrome;
improves the quality of metabolic processes and blood circulation;
helps release nerve endings and restore nerve networks;
the spine extends up to 4 cm in length.

Special simulators are used for traction. And they are strikingly different from those used for regular sports. The traction itself can be divided into dry and wet, vertical and horizontal. Most often, the dry stretching method is used. Although the essence of all options does not change at all. The course lasts about 2-3 weeks.

Yalovitsyn swing

It is important to remember that traction must be supervised by an experienced physician. Otherwise it will do more harm than good

Although in any case it is impossible to call the method ineffective. To avoid complications, it is important to remember:

the time of traction on the spine must be determined by the attending physician. It is important to observe it; There should be no pain during traction, especially if it is performed at home without the supervision of specialists; During treatment, it is recommended to use a special corset and wear it for as long as the attending physician says; After treatment, it is imperative to pay attention to strengthening the muscular corset of the back. Otherwise, the vertebrae will again take the position they held before traction; physical activity is prohibited throughout the course of treatment

Using Yalovitsyn's swing

Massage and physical therapy

For vertebral hernia, the use of folk remedies in the treatment process is not enough. To restore muscle tone, thereby avoiding a relapse, it is necessary to perform a set of therapeutic and preventive exercises for the spine. However, performing them incorrectly can worsen the condition, so before treating a vertebral hernia with physical therapy, you should definitely consult a doctor.

During the recovery period, massage is very helpful, as it improves blood circulation, relaxes and stretches spasming muscles. Massage also reduces the excitability of nerve endings, pain, and also prevents muscle atrophy. As a rule, it is performed during the absence of pain, or when it is mild.

For spinal hernia, massage techniques vary. What type of massage should be used in a particular case (acupressure, classic or segmental reflex) is determined by the doctor. After the session, the patient should feel a feeling of warmth, relaxation and comfort in the massaged area, joint mobility should also increase, and at the same time overall well-being should improve.

The frequency and number of procedures prescribed are determined by the patient’s condition, his age, and where the area being massaged is located. As a rule, the duration of one course of treatment is 20 procedures. Between courses there are breaks of up to three months. Please note that massage alone without the use of other treatment methods cannot bring lasting positive results. Therefore, in the process of treating the spine, an integrated approach should be used.

Summarizing the above, we can draw the following conclusions:

Treatment of a spinal hernia by surgical intervention should be carried out only in extreme cases. Quite often folk remedies and methods help.
When using folk remedies for hernia, you must strictly adhere to the list of ingredients used in the preparation of tinctures, ointments, oils, and their dosage.
A prerequisite for the treatment of spinal hernia is massage and physical therapy.
In the process of treating a spinal hernia, an integrated approach should be used.

We also invite you to watch a video about the traditional treatment of intervertebral hernia:

Execution technique

Exercises on the horizontal bar

Stretch on the board

You can do the exercises at home if you purchase a special board.

Other methods

How else can you do it?

Step 1: You can try a few yoga asanas. For example, the cat pose not only shapes the arch of the back very well, but also has a beneficial effect on the spine. It’s simple to perform – you need to get on all fours and arch your back.

Step 2. Next, you can perform the “cat-dog” exercise, that is, standing in the same position, then bend or bend your back.

Step 3. The crocodile pose is also useful. You need to lie on your stomach and lean on your arms, smoothly straightening them. The palms should be placed in the chest area.

Step 4: It is recommended to sit in hero pose. To do this, you can sit on bent legs and spread them slightly to the side, feet up - the big toes are next to the hips. Hands need to be placed on your knees.

To study Iliopsoas muscle

Step 5: Hip Up Rotations are a good exercise for stretching your back. You need to lie on your back, put one hand on the floor, and with the other hand take the leg on the same side by the knee and, twisting, move it in the opposite direction. You need to repeat the exercise several times for each side, holding the final position for 10 seconds.

Step 6. You can also use a gym ball for stretching. So, you need to lie on the ball with your stomach, then put your hands behind your head and stretch your body up with your back arched.

Step 7. You can also perform another exercise - you need to lie on your back and lift your legs bent at a right angle, lifting them off the floor.

Step 8: Seated crunches are good for your back. It is recommended to sit on your buttocks, and then turn your torso to the sides, as if looking back. One of the legs can be thrown over the thigh.

Step 9. You can also do exercises while sitting in the office. For example, crunches while sitting on a chair. To enhance the effect, you can fold your legs in Turkish.

Step 10. You can hug yourself. This is not only pleasant, but also beneficial for the health of the spine.

Step 11. You need to bend forward with a rounded back, and then try to straighten your legs, keeping your fingers on the floor.

Video - Exercises for stretching the spine

Traction and stretching of the spine are methods that can really help improve the condition of the back with a hernia. The main thing is to remember that it is doctors who should make the appointments. It is not recommended to organize such training for yourself without permission.

Stretching and traction

First, let's try to find out whether these two concepts - stretching and traction - are one and the same or are they different things. So, spinal traction, otherwise called traction, is a method invented in ancient times. This is one of the oldest ways to combat various pathologies of the spine.

Spinal traction using this simulator is a simple and effective way to combat many diseases.

Underwater spine traction

Spinal stretching is, as a rule, not traction, but the performance of a number of special exercises that are included in the rehabilitation and treatment complex. Stretching is also used to relieve pain, but also improves physical fitness and muscle structure, and helps improve balance and coordination.

Spinal stretch

Both during traction and during the stretching process, the space between adjacent vertebrae increases, which means that the compression of the spinal cord roots also stops, as they are released. Accordingly, the pain goes away.

Why do you need to stretch your back?

In general, options for spinal stretches can vary. This includes stretching, a number of special exercises, water stretching, and the use of special exercise equipment made independently or available in specialized centers.