Lumbar disc herniation, commonly known as "disc disease," is quite common in people who sit in the office for long periods of time or do manual labor. According to research, more than 80% of the world's population has suffered from such diseases at least once in their lifetime, which is a statistic that cannot be ignored.
Among the many treatments, the draping exercise, commonly known as the "hanging horizontal bar", is widely recognized as an effective means of relieving or even curing a herniated lumbar disc. Many people believe that the symptoms of disc disorders can be significantly improved by performing continuous sling exercises. However, we must carefully assess the scientific and practical effects of this view.
Possible effects of hanging horizontal bar on lumbar disc herniation
Hanging horizontal bar exercise, as a universal physical activity, mainly includes hanging and upper limb exercises. This exercise theoretically has the potential to relieve symptoms associated with a herniated lumbar disc by pulling the spine. When people are hanging, the spine stretches naturally, which may help reduce pressure on the intervertebral discs and nerve roots, which can reduce pain and soothe discomfort. However, hanging horizontal bars isn't for everyone. For patients with more severe symptoms of lumbar disc herniation, or individuals who are not properly trained, blind exercise may exacerbate the condition. Improper training can put more strain on the spine, worsen disc problems, and may even lead to complications such as muscle strains or pain. Therefore, before using the hanging horizontal bar as a treatment for lumbar disc herniation, the decision should be made based on the individual's specific situation and the advice of a professional doctor. Always consult a medical professional before starting any exercise therapy.
Can hanging the horizontal bar make lumbar disc herniation heal without medicine?
In discussing the process of rehabilitation for lumbar spine diseases, there are indeed some controversies and differing opinions. Some patients feel relieved by performing horizontal bar traction exercises, but others find that this method does not work significantly for them. This suggests that when treating lumbar spine conditions, treatment needs to be tailored to the individual's specific situation.
First, we need to understand the limitations of horizontal bar traction. Horizontal bar traction is a self-weight traction method, and its force and direction cannot be precisely controlled, so it may not achieve the therapeutic effect of professional medical traction. However, it has a significant advantage in that it is easy to perform and can be used as an adjunct therapy, provided that the condition allows it and the method is correct.
Second, treatment of lumbar herniation should not be limited to traction. Rehabilitation for lumbar herniation includes several aspects: maintaining range of motion in the lumbar spine, muscle exercises to enhance lumbar spine stability, and nerve stretching exercises to reduce nerve sensitivity. Comprehensive rehabilitation exercises can effectively alleviate the condition and prevent the recurrence of the disease.
Finally, the treatment of lumbar herniation should be carried out according to the different stages of the course of the disease. In the acute phase, attention should be paid to eliminating inflammation and edema, and bed rest and anti-inflammatory analgesics should be used. When it comes to remission and rehabilitation, daily protection and reasonable exercise are particularly important. It should be emphasized that horizontal bar traction cannot cure lumbar herniation alone, especially for patients with mild disease, and the importance of other treatments should not be overlooked because of the temporary relief brought by horizontal bar traction.
Why hanging horizontal bars is effective in relieving the symptoms of a herniated lumbar disc
The horizontal bar, as a competition event in the Olympic Games, has not only been valued in the field of competitive sports, but has also become a common tool for modern people's fitness. It consists of two vertical pillars and a horizontal bar that relies primarily on the user's arm strength to suspend and complete various movements, effectively exercising specific parts of the body. When performing horizontal bar exercises, the strength of the arms and the loss of body weight work together on the lower back muscles, creating a pulling effect. This stretching action can expand the space between the lumbar vertebrae, reduce the compression of the nerve by the bone marrow nucleus, and make the lumbar spine relax for a short time. Although the horizontal bar cannot sustain this traction and the bone marrow nucleus may recompress the nerves in the lower back, such exercises can at least reduce pressure on the lower back and slow the worsening of symptoms. Inflammation in the lumbar spine due to pressure has a chance to regain the ability to repair itself after this exercise, thereby reducing the symptoms of herniated discs, including pain and soreness. As lumbar symptoms decrease, people no longer deliberately avoid the lower back when exerting force, which also helps to strengthen the lower back muscles.
For patients with lumbar disc herniation, the strength of the psoas muscles decreases due to a long-term lack of exercise, and the abdomen may become protruding and weak. During the horizontal bar exercise, the lumbar muscles are forced to stretch, the muscles are relaxed and stretched, and the psoas muscles gradually increase with the movement on the horizontal bar. Abdominal strength is part of the core strength of the human body, and its strength directly affects the functioning of internal organs. Theoretically, the stronger the waist strength, the higher the body's overall immunity. Therefore, strengthening the psoas muscles not only helps to reduce the pressure on the intervertebral discs, but also has a positive effect on relieving the symptoms caused by a herniated disc. While horizontal bar exercises can be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of a herniated disc, it is not enough to rely on horizontal bar exercises for full recovery, and other treatments need to be combined.