Exercise belts are not useful for preventing an inguinal hernia, a.k.a. hernia, which occurs when internal organs protrude through a weak part of abdominal muscle. Your doctor may advise you to wear a hernia belt or truss for a short period of time prior to your hernia surgery, although wearing a truss or a weightlifting belt during exercise will not prevent a new hernia from developing. The most important thing you can do to prevent a hernia is to avoid heavy lifting and other causes of abdominal strain.
Exercise Belts and Hernias
Exercise belts, also called weightlifting belts or abdominal belts, are not designed for hernia prevention. Hernias are caused by abdominal strain, and wearing a belt around the abdomen while lifting actually increases intra-abdominal pressure in order to decrease pressure on the lower back. Furthermore, according to MayoClinic.com, exercise belts are only useful for back injury prevention during advanced weightlifting exercises such as power lifts or dead lifts. Another type of supportive belt called a truss may be worn when exercising with a hernia prior to hernia surgery, although wearing such a belt will not cure or prevent a hernia. Trusses are not meant to be worm after hernia surgery.
Exercise and Hernia Prevention
Exercise can play an important role in hernia prevention. Being moderately to severely overweight increases pressure on your abdomen, which puts you at increased risk for developing a hernia. Therefore, regular exercise to maintain a healthy body weight is important for hernia prevention. Maintaining strong abdominal muscles with strength-building exercises can also help prevent a hernia. However, if you're concerned about hernia prevention, you should generally avoid exercises that involve lifting heavy weights or holding your breath while straining. It's particularly important to avoid exercises that cause abdominal strain if you've previously had a hernia.
Exercising With and After a Hernia
With your doctor's approval, it is possible to exercise with a hernia, pre-surgery, as long as you are careful to avoid heavy lifting and focus on light aerobic activities that don't involve straining or closing your throat off. You may wear a special supportive truss designed for hernias when exercising with a hernia. After surgery for a hernia, exercise can help prevent future hernias and other health problems. After allowing sufficient time for recovery per the instructions of your doctor, engaging in aerobic activities and core-strengthening exercises such as abdominal curls can help you from developing another hernia, post-surgery. Heavy weightlifting activities, including lifts that require the use of an abdominal belt, should be avoided after hernia surgery.
Considerations
It's important to note that while exercise is important for hernia prevention, pre-existing hernias require medical treatment and will not get better with exercise or other measures such as wearing a truss. If a hernia is not treated, further contents of the abdomen may protrude into the hernia, which can potentially result in life-threatening complications. It's also worth noting that maintaining a healthy weight and strong ab muscles with exercise is not the only important factor in hernia prevention. Other measures you can take to help prevent a hernia include: quitting smoking, eating a high-fiber diet to prevent constipation, and avoiding lifting heavy objects at work and in other daily activities.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Inguinal Hernia; November 2010
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety; Back Belts; November 2005
- MayoClinic.com; Weightlifting Belt: Do I Need One?; Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.; August 2010
- StomaData.com; Exercise After Hernia Repair; Adrian March; March 2011
- NetDoctor; What Exercises Can Be Done With a Hernia?; February 2006
- Sports Injury Clinic: Hernia
