Hernia is a term used to describe various sac-like disruptions that can form in the lining of your abdominal wall. While smaller hernias may not require treatment, the only option for permanent repair of larger hernias is surgery. If you undergo hernia surgery, you can typically continue exercising after you finish an appropriate course of rehabilitation.
Basics
The sac in a hernia is formed by a lining called the peritoneum, which covers the inside surface of your abdominal cavity. When you develop a hole or weakness in your abdominal wall, part of the peritoneum pushes through and forms a noticeable bulge. A hernia can form in several locations, including your groin, upper stomach and the area around your belly button. A hernia can also form at the border of your upper thigh or at the site of any previous abdominal surgery.
Hernia Rehabilitation
Exercise is a common part of physical rehabilitation after hernia surgery. In the immediate aftermath of surgery, your doctor may ask you to perform deep-breathing or progressive relaxation exercises to reduce your recovery time and diminish post-operative pain. You may also need to perform specialized breathing exercises to reduce your chances for lung-related surgical complications. Your doctor or physical therapist may ask you to perform exercises such as neck bends and pelvic tilts to help you regain strength in various abdominal muscles.
Additional Exercises
Additional exercises used to return you to normal activity after hernia surgery include knee bends, cross-legged muscle contractions and ankle flexes, all of which your doctor will typically ask you to perform while lying on your back. Typically, you will begin these exercises about two days after surgery and repeat them three to five times a day for a total of anywhere from four to six weeks. When you can breathe and walk without abdominal pain, you can stop doing these exercises and resume your normal physical routine. Roughly 97 to 99 percent of people who undergo hernia surgery don't develop another hernia after their injuries heal.
Athletes
Athletes also use post-surgical rehabilitation to help them return to their normal routines. Exercises commonly used during athletic rehabilitation include jogging and elliptical training, light weightlifting, stretching, core exercises and specific exercises designed to strengthen muscles located in the hips, pelvis and abdomen. If rehabilitation is successful, an athlete can return to normal activity within six to 12 weeks after undergoing surgery. According to Amy Davis of Virginia Tech University, athletes' success rates in returning to full activity after hernia surgery range between 63 and 95 percent.
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