For many patients, degenerative disc disease treatment involves a combination of conservative, nonsurgical methods aimed at relieving the symptoms associated with this condition. In order to maximize the results of their treatment, it is important that patients with degenerative disc disease follow their physician’s instructions exactly and keep them informed of their progress throughout the course of their treatment.

Exercises to avoid during degenerative disc disease treatment

It can be difficult for individuals undergoing degenerative disc disease treatment to take a break from their active lifestyle to let their bodies heal. However, knowing which exercises to avoid while receiving treatment for degenerative disc disease is an important part of helping you find meaningful relief and an improved quality of life. Here are three exercises you should definitely avoid during degenerative disc disease treatment, all of which are excessively stressful on the spine:

1. Deadlifts. The lifter begins by standing with their knees bent and feet shoulder-width apart. They then bend down and grab the bar. Exhaling, the lifter then stands upright while keeping their back and arms straight, and then bends back down.
2. Good mornings. During this exercise, the lifter starts by holding a barbell on their shoulders. Then, they bend forward slowly, keeping their back straight, until their upper body is essentially parallel with the ground. Then, the lifter straightens up until they have returned to the starting position.
3. Barbell squats. The lifter starts with a barbell on their shoulders, similar to the starting position for good mornings. Keeping their chest up and their weight on their heels, they then sink down by bending the knees until the upper legs come into contact with the lower legs, at which point they reverse the motion and stand back upright.

While these and other strenuous exercises should be avoided during degenerative disc disease treatment, there are a number of low-impact exercises and stretches that could be beneficial to your recovery. To find out which specific exercises could benefit you most, consult with your physician.

Surgery for degenerative disc disease

Occasionally, even patients who follow their physician’s instructions exactly will still experience pain and other symptoms after several weeks or months of degenerative disc disease treatment. For patients who find themselves in this situation, USA Spine Care offers minimally invasive outpatient spine surgery. Our procedures are often the clinically appropriate first choice and provide many advantages versus open neck or back surgery, including a reduced risk of infection and other complications.^{^}

For more information regarding the benefits of our minimally invasive spine surgery, contact USA Spine Care today. Our team will gladly review* your MRI at no cost to determine if you are a candidate for our procedures.

Browse Related Resources