When you initially feel the pain caused by an annular tear, your first impulse may be to rest your neck or back. While resting can be helpful in brief doses, it is vital that you do not rest for long periods of time, as it could weaken muscles and lead to more pain. That is why quality exercise multiple times a week is extremely important to keep your body and spine strong.

The key to doing so without risking further injury to your torn disc is to keep the exercises as low-impact as possible. Although most torn discs result from the natural aging process, many are due to high-stress activities like golfing, playing tackle football or competing in gymnastics meets. Bending, lifting or twisting motions during such activities can cause or worsen your symptoms. To learn about the types of exercises that may be effective in treating your condition, read the following article.

Exercises that might be recommended for an annular tear

Your physician or physical therapist might tell you to start your daily workout routine by thoroughly stretching your spine and the muscles that help support it. You can complete several stretches with your back on the floor, which can take the pressure off your spine. These stretching exercises can include slowly lifting your legs off the floor, pulling your knees to your chest and performing pelvic tilts. Once warmed up, you can try your exercise of choice, given that you have received approval from your doctors to do so.

Many people find that incorporating more walking into their routine is also a good fit for them. It requires no special equipment and can be easily worked into virtually any schedule. You can park further away from the grocery store, take the stairs whenever possible or take a break from sitting at work (if you have an office job) and walk around every hour. Some other low-impact exercises to consider include biking, swimming, Pilates and yoga, all of which can get your heart pumping without damaging your spine.

If exercise doesn’t relieve your annular tear symptoms

If you have been attempting conservative treatment measures like exercise for several weeks or months without satisfactory relief of your symptoms, consider the minimally invasive surgeries offered at USA Spine Care. Contact us today to learn about our procedures and to receive a free MRI review* to determine if our procedures would be effective for relieving your condition.

Since 2005, USA Spine Care has helped more than 75,000 patients find lasting relief from their chronic neck or back pain, earning us a patient satisfaction score of 98 and a patient recommendation score of 98 out of 100.^ Reach out to our dedicated team today to find out if you are a potential candidate for our outpatient surgery. We are here to help guide you on your journey to wellness.