A ventral hernia is a condition that occurs when the muscles of your abdomen weaken to the point of allowing your internal organs to protrude from your abdominal wall, according to researchers at Penn State University's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. This condition can be caused by obesity, pregnancy, improper lifting techniques or even severe coughing. While a ventral hernia can result in pain, the condition is often painless until your abdominal muscles are being used while lifting, coughing or sneezing. Stop any activity and see your doctor immediately if you notice an unusual bulge in your abdomen.
Immediately After Diagnosis
The first course or rehabilitative treatment for a ventral hernia is generally a week of rest. During this time you should avoid any heavy lifting or other activities that place strain on your abdomen. Your doctor may prescribe bed rest or suggest that you stay around the house and perform only activities related to daily living.
Beginning Rehab
After seven to 10 days of rest, your doctor may suggest that you begin light activities, often including pool-based exercises. The buoyancy of the pool will help eliminate excess stress on your weakened abdominal muscles and allow you to begin exercising while still protecting your weakened abdomen. During this time, your doctor may suggest that you walk laps in chest-high water as well as that you perform flexibility exercises for your hips and upper leg muscles. These exercises include bending your hip joint forward and backwards; standing on one foot while moving the other toward and away from the center of your body; heel raises; and half squats.
Strengthening Exercises
Following a week of rest and several days of aquatic exercises your doctor or therapist will likely begin resistance training exercises to help restore strength to your abdominal muscles. These include abdominal crunches, squats and lunges and slow jogging exercises. When you're ready, swimming is also an effective exercise to help rehabilitate a ventral hernia, but be absolutely sure that you do not perform a butterfly stroke, since the leg motion can re-injure an already-weakened abdominal muscle. Stick with the flutter kick during this period. Other exercises often prescribed during this period of rehabilitation can include running sprints, jogging and doing legs-only jumping jacks.
Returning to Sport
The final rehab period following a ventral hernia is performing sport-specific activities. While these can be incorporated during the earlier rehabilitative program, heed your doctor's advice since many sports activities place strain on your abdominal muscles. Begin performing light activities related to your sport and stop if you feel pain in your abdomen.
