According to the Spinal Cord Information Network, exercise can improve mobility in the spine and help patients return to normal daily activities. If muscles and joints are not used, they tend to stiffen and exacerbate symptoms so the Spinal Cord Information Network recommends mild exercise to keep these areas loose and mobile. The Spinal Cord Information Pages says exercises should be performed in a controlled manner through a full range of motion, and held for 10 seconds.
Lower Back Pressure Exercises
The Spinal Cord Information Pages recommends this exercise to stretch the lower back and produce light force in the lumbar area. Perform this exercise by first lying flat on the floor. Instruct a partner to grasp your legs so that one of his arms is supporting your legs underneath, and the other is providing resistance from above. Press downward so that you feel pressure in your lower legs and spine, while pulling the feet in toward the thighs.
Leg Exercises
According to the Spinal Cord Information Pages, leg exercises can be used to provide a gentle range of motion to the lower spine. This exercise is performed by lying on your back with the legs fully extended. Instruct a partner to rest one arm on top of the legs while supporting the thighs from underneath with the opposite arm. The legs should then be easily rolled from side to side, holding each side for 10 seconds.
Hip Exercises
The Spinal Cord Information Pages provides several examples of hip exercises to promote greater coordination and range of motion. One simple and effective one is to first lie on the back, exactly as with the previous exercises. Start with one leg and instruct a partner to fully extend your leg upward until it is perpendicular to the ground. Your partner should then push the leg gently toward the chest and hold for a count of 10 seconds. This exercise should be performed with each leg.
Straight Leg Raises
Another leg raise exercise recommended by the Spinal Cord Information Pages is the straight leg raise. Perform this exercise from a similar starting position as the previous exercises, but with the legs slight wider apart in order to engage the hips. Instruct a partner to start with one leg, and raise it until it is just above the shoulders. The partner should then place pressure under the knee until this leg is fully extended, and then hold this position for 10 seconds. Perform with both legs.
Trunk Exercises
Finally, the Spinal Cord Information Pages recommends promoting mobility and range of motion in the trunk area. The simplest way to do this is to begin by lying flat on the ground, and then having a partner curl your legs and knees toward the chest, similar to the fetal position. This exercise can be done for several repetitions and held for 10 seconds each.
