A ventral hernia, also known as an incisional hernia, occurs when your abdominal muscles weaken to the point that your internal organs begin to stick out through your abdominal wall. This often occurs following abdominal surgery and is most often located at the point of a surgical incision. While many ventral hernias occur as a result of surgery, this is not always the case. You can also get a ventral hernia as a result of weight gain, lifting heavy objects improperly, pregnancy or abdominal strains as a result of constipation. If you suspect that you have a ventral hernia, visit your doctor immediately since the condition can be a serious threat to your health.
Water-Assisted Exercise
Immediately following your hernia, or surgical hernia repair, your doctor may prescribe pool-based exercise, since the buoyancy of the water helps take the strain off your abdominal muscles. He may suggest that you walk laps in the pool. Initially he may prescribe three or four laps in chest-deep water. Other pool-based exercises include partial squats in the water, heel raises and exercises to help restore range of motion to your hip joint, which often becomes stiff with disuse following a ventral hernia.
Abdominal Stretching Exercise
Your doctor is likely to recommend stretching exercises shortly after surgery, since these exercises help direct blood flow to the injured area. Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands on your hips. Lift one hand up over your head and gently bend your upper body toward the opposite side. The website SportsHernia recommends that you perform four of these stretches on each side, holding each for about 30 seconds.
Abdominal Curls
This exercise is also known as Eka Pada Sarvangasana in yoga, and can be used to help strengthen your abdominal walls following a ventral hernia. Begin by lying down on your back with both legs straight and your hands by your sides. Breathe out and bend both knees while simultaneously tightening your abdominal muscles. Continue to bring both knees toward your chest until your hips lift off the floor. Press on the floor with both hands until your trunk lifts off the floor and then straighten both legs toward the ceiling.
Abdominal Crunches
Following hernia repair, your doctor or therapist is likely to prescribe abdominal strengthening exercises to help restore strength to your weakened muscles. You should only perform this exercise at the direction of your doctor, since placing undue stresses on your abdominal muscles can aggravate your condition. Begin by lying down on your back on the floor or other firm surface. Bend both knees while keeping the soles of your feet flat on the floor. Use the muscles of your abdominal area to lift your shoulders off the floor slightly. Repeat as directed by your doctor.
