Research Corner - Q&A Umbilical Hernia and Exercise by Steve Rhyan | Date Released : 25 Jan 2002 0 comments Print Close Question: I have a 43 year old female client who just had surgery for an umbilical hernia approximately six weeks ago. In addition, she had this done by a plastic surgeon who preformed a minor "tummy tuck" at the same time. She has been given the OK to start light workouts with the caution that she do "no abdominal exercise or work" for 12 months. She has tried the pool and found swimming uncomfortable but did some water walking. She is walking on treadmills with little success. Answer: It seems to me that this person really has two issues to deal with, both of them involving the abdominal musculature. The hernia and the “tummy tuck” are direct “blemishes” on the muscle structure. I am uncertain as to why she had the tuck. Does she have excess fat stores around the waist (i.e., overweight)? If so, how much? I will also assume that the hernia was caused by some action vs. congenital or from wear and tear of obesity. With the above things in mind, an exercise prescription can cautiously move forward. Hernias are generally a result of muscle wall defect. The integrity of the muscle belly is decreased by a decline in collagen strength. Intra-abdominal pressure is too high for the particular area, and either an excessive action or accumulated fatigue causes the collagen to split and the muscle to tear apart. The result is a portion of the intestine bulges out the opening. Obesity, pregnancy, heavy lifting, coughing and ascites (fluid that gathers in the abdominal cavity) are the most common causes for the herniation to occur. The “tummy tuck” makes me lean toward obesity as the reason for the hernia. The surgery for the tuck may have created some “new” scar tissue or adhesions. This could cause pain while doing whatever type of movement. The no abdominal work for 12 months seems cautious enough, but if she is cleared for light workouts, then why is there a year wait to interact with the abdominals? My exercise suggestions consist of starting with the stationary bike. Use range of motion to begin, for whatever duration is tolerated (under 12 minutes) to start. You may also have her WALK in the water about umbilical deep, with a casual pace. This will start her abdominal rehab without undue tension or strain. The water will help support the area like a girdle and at the same time provide resistance. I also suggest her lifting be done on machines only. This will help “isolate” the different segments and allow her to start resistance training without pain. I know isolation is a dirty word in the world of functional training, but it beats no training at all. Back to top About the author: Steve Rhyan Steve is a member of: National Strength and Conditioning Association American College of Sports Medicine American Society of Exercise Physiologists. <br><br> Steve has been an athlete, coach, teacher and trainer for over 20 years. Steve received his Undergraduate degree in Physical Education/ Biology and Graduate degree in Physiology of Exercise from San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. He has taught from middle school to college and coached high school, college and professional athletes. <br><br> As an athlete, Steve was a professional moto-cross racer for 10 years. He was California State Champion several times, ranked in the top 10 Nationally and in the top 20 Internationally. Steve has also participated in the Decathlon, numerous Triathlons, several Fitness Challenges and won the Police Heptathlon in San Diego, CA. To better understand "Body-Power," Steve studied Kajukenbo(Hawiian Karate) for several years and received a Black Belt. He is pursuing an education in Kodokan Judo to further understand anaerobic conditioning and the application of strength, power and agility. As a coach he specializes in Moto-Cross Racing, Track & Field, Mountain Bike Racing and Surfing. <br><br> Steve is presently a part time lecturer in Exercise Science at Santa Ana College for the Police and Fire Services and is Director of Strength and Conditioning at Specialized Personal Training(SPT) in Mission Viejo, California. At SPT, he specializes in Sports Medicine and Fitness Training for all ages, but especially people over 40 years of age. One of Steve's clients won the female division of the Navy Seal Fitness Challenge, she is 50 years old! Steve has several articles on training for a Fitness Challenge published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning. When he is not writing, studying, teaching or training you can find him, with his family, on the beach surfing. Aloha. <br><br> "I learn by going where I have to go." Theodore Roethke Full Author Details Related content Content from Steve Rhyan Hernias and Weak Abs Joshua Rubin | Articles Inguinal Herniation Lenny Parracino | Articles Hernia Exercise Recommendations Craig Burris | Articles Hip Bursitis Steve Rhyan | Articles Dendrites and Balance Training Steve Rhyan | Articles Elliptical Trainers: Exertion vs. HR Steve Rhyan | Articles Downhill Mountain Biking Steve Rhyan | Articles Golfers Elbow Steve Rhyan | Articles Piriformis Syndrome and Exercise Steve Rhyan | Articles Trampoline Training Steve Rhyan | Articles Running with Weights Steve Rhyan | Articles Super Slow Training Steve Rhyan | Articles Left Bundle Branch Block & Exercise Steve Rhyan | Articles Slow Heart Rate with Exercise Steve Rhyan | Articles Pushups - Head Alignment Steve Rhyan | Articles Itchy Skin During Exercise Steve Rhyan | Articles Muscle Cramps With Ab Work Steve Rhyan | Articles Leg Cramps while Running Steve Rhyan | Articles Calorie Burn in the Morning Steve Rhyan | Articles Running a Faster Mile Steve Rhyan | Articles Iron Man Training - Off Road Steve Rhyan | Articles Rowing Ergometer Training Steve Rhyan | Articles Side Aches from Running Steve Rhyan | Articles Cycling vs. Running Cardio Response Steve Rhyan | Articles Rowers: Post Rehab Steve Rhyan | Articles Oxygen Supplementation Steve Rhyan | Articles Body Fat Difference: Young v Old Steve Rhyan | Articles Pins and Needles from Elliptical Machine Steve Rhyan | Articles Off-Ice Training for Figure Skaters Steve Rhyan | Articles Arthritis in the Knees Steve Rhyan | Articles Hernia and Cold Weather Steve Rhyan | Articles Umbilical Hernia and Exercise Steve Rhyan | Articles Martial Arts Training Steve Rhyan | Articles Elbow Tendonitis Steve Rhyan | Articles Sweat Differences Steve Rhyan | Articles Hypoglycemia and Exercise Steve Rhyan | Articles Underactive Thyroid and Exercise Steve Rhyan | Articles Shuttle Run Test Steve Rhyan | Articles Muscular Dystrophy and Exercise Steve Rhyan | Articles Glucosamine and Diabetes Steve Rhyan | Articles Power Tennis Steve Rhyan | Articles Arthritis Steve Rhyan | Articles Blood Pressure and Sodium Steve Rhyan | Articles Definition of Weight Training Steve Rhyan | Articles Excess Belly Fat Steve Rhyan | Articles Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Steve Rhyan | Articles Spina Bifida Steve Rhyan | Articles Autism and Training Steve Rhyan | Articles Ice Hockey Conditioning Steve Rhyan | Articles Client with One Arm Steve Rhyan | Articles Bone Density Steve Rhyan | Articles Total Knee Replacement Steve Rhyan | Articles Hairline Fracture on Collarbone Steve Rhyan | Articles Best Time to Stretch Steve Rhyan | Articles Green Drinks Steve Rhyan | Articles Stretched Skin Steve Rhyan | Articles Reverse Abdominal Curl Steve Rhyan | Articles Training Considerations for Mountain Biking Steve Rhyan | Articles Cardio or Weight Training First Steve Rhyan | Articles Muscle and Fat Weight Difference Steve Rhyan | Articles Loose Skin After Weight Loss Steve Rhyan | Articles Hip Replacement and Exercise Steve Rhyan | Articles Spinal Surgery: Hamstring Flexibility Steve Rhyan | Articles Ammonia Smelling Sweat Steve Rhyan | Articles Herniated Disc Steve Rhyan | Articles Sand Training Steve Rhyan | Articles Improving Marathon Times Steve Rhyan | Articles Obesity and Exercise Steve Rhyan | Articles Rowers: Strength Training Steve Rhyan | Articles Indepth Assessments Steve Rhyan | Articles Ice Hockey Training Steve Rhyan | Articles Osteoarthritis Steve Rhyan | Articles Shin Splints Steve Rhyan | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top