Exercises for Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease

Degenerative lumbar disc disease (DDD) occurs when there is a problem with one or more of the discs in the lower back. Your discs, which are located between the vertebrae in your spine, act as a cushion and they allow your spine to bend and move. Discs naturally begin to lose fluid and degenerate with age. This condition is common and can exist with no symptoms and never cause a problem. However, in some patients, the discs can irritate surrounding tissue and nerves and cause pain and numbness. Treatment, including exercise, may be necessary.

Check with Your Doctor

• You and your doctor will need to decide exactly which exercises are appropriate for you. This depends on the severity and location of the disc problem. An exercise that may be beneficial for one patient with may not be a good choice for another, even though they both have lumbar degenerative disc disease.

Basic Abdominal Crunch

• Keeping your abdominal muscles strong is key in taking pressure off the lower back. Lie on the floor on your back with the knees bent, fingertips behind your head and the feet flat on the floor. Lift straight up just until the abdominal muscles contract and then lower slowly down. Keep your abs in tight and the lower back in contact with the floor.

Bridge Pose

• This exercise helps to strengthen the lower back and buttocks. Lie on the floor, on your back, with knees bent and your hands by your sides with the palms down. Tighten your abs and buttocks and lift your hips up as high as you can, keeping the neck straight. Come down slowly and repeat eight times.

Double Knee to Chest

• This exercise helps to loosen tight back muscles. Lie on your back and hug both knees into your chest. Take slow deep breaths and, on the exhale, focus on relaxing your hips and back and gently hug your knees in. Hold for 30 seconds.

Hamstring Stretch

• If your hamstring muscles are tight they will pull on your back muscles and contribute to your pain. Lie on your back, hug your right knee into your chest, straighten your right leg and flex your foot. Take slow, deep breaths and, on the exhale, focus on relaxing your back and gently pressing up through your heel. Hold for 30 seconds and then repeat for the other side.

Spinal Twist

• This exercise helps to loosen the muscles of the back and hips. Lie on the floor on your back with the knees bent and your hands outstretched to a "T" position. Drop both knees to the right and try to relax with each exhale. Hold 30 seconds and then repeat for the other side.