People with a herniated disc are generally recommended to undergo physical therapy to relieve the pain. Some forms of exercise and stretching, such as yoga and Pilates, may speed up the healing process and prevent hernias. But what about Poundfit? Can people with pinched nerves participate in this activity?
What is a pinched nerve?
A pinched nerve is caused by damage to the disc pads that sit between the vertebrae. These cushions work as shock absorbers, allowing you to move freely.
The annulus, or outer layer, of the spinal discs is made of hard tissue. The annulus protects the nucleus, which has a jelly-like texture. When the annulus tears and the nucleus is pushed out, you will experience pain known as a pinched nerve.
Depending on the location of the damage, you may experience pain in the waist, hips, and legs, while others experience pain in the soles of their feet.
Can someone with a pinched nerve do Poundfit?
Poundfit is currently a popular exercise among Indonesians. This sport was first developed in 2011 by combining cardio, conditioning, yoga, and Pilates movements. Poundfit is performed with a drumstick-like tool called Ripstix that follows the beat of the music.
In Poundfit, there are several basic movements, including:
- Set: A squat variation where you spread both legs with your back straight and shoulders relaxed while holding the sticks.
- Lunge: Extend your left leg backward, then bend your right knee and slowly lower yourself, keeping your weight on the heel of your front foot.
- Kit: Sit on the mat with your back straight, bend both legs and extend your arms forward.
- Thighs and Assets (T&A): A glute bridge pose in yoga or Pilates involves lying on your back on the mat with an upward gaze, bending your knees, and lifting your hips up while keeping your hands on the mat.
People with pinched nerves should avoid strenuous activities during their recovery, such as heavy lifting, repetitive strenuous activities, and spinal rotation movements like golf and tennis. These movements can cause additional pressure on the spine, particularly in the lower back.
According to Spine Health, people with pinched nerves should avoid squats because they can increase pressure on the lower back. Squats are core movements performed repeatedly throughout Poundfit exercises.
T&A movements also work the hamstring muscles, which can exacerbate pinched nerve pain. Furthermore, Poundfit is a high-impact cardio exercise that should be avoided by people who have pinched nerves.
People with pinched nerves who want to exercise with Poundfit or other cardio activities should first consult a doctor, as each person's condition is unique.
In mild cases, people with pinched nerves can do low-impact cardio. This exercise can help to reduce pain and muscle tension. Swimming, walking, and static cycling are all low-impact activities. To determine the most appropriate exercise, the doctor must consider the patient's movement limitations, exercise habits, and the severity of the pinched nerve.
If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
Looking for more information about other diseases? Click here!
- Sean Edbert Lim, MBBS
Sales, R. (2023). Everyday Activities to Avoid with Herniated Disc. Available from: https://www.spine-health.com/blog/everyday-activities-avoid-herniated-disc
Barrell, A. (2024). Safe exercises for a herniated disk. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324311
Ullrich, N. (2024). Exercises to Avoid with a Lumbar Herniation. Available from: https://www.spine-health.com/blog/exercises-avoid-lumbar-herniation
Mayo Clinic. Herniated Disk. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/herniated-disk/symptoms-causes/syc-20354095
Thompson, V. (2019). Cardiovascular Exercise After a Herniated Disc. Available from: https://www.livestrong.com/article/278480-cardiovascular-exercise-after-a-herniated-disc/
Poundfit. Available from: https://poundfit.com/backstage-101/#