Can patients with hernia exercise?

In general, patients with hernias can exercise, but they must carefully choose the type of exercise according to their specific condition and disease stage. The details are as follows:

For hernia patients who have not undergone surgery, all activities that increase abdominal pressure should be avoided. Examples include weightlifting, squats, high-intensity interval training, and vigorous running or jumping. These exercises may cause a sudden rise in intra-abdominal pressure, worsening hernia protrusion and potentially leading to hernia incarceration. Instead, low-abdominal-pressure activities such as walking, slow cycling, and gentle stretching exercises are recommended. These help maintain physical fitness without aggravating the condition. If hernia bulging or pain occurs during exercise, activity should be stopped immediately.

For patients who have undergone hernia surgery, exercise should be gradually reintroduced in stages. The first 1–3 months post-surgery are considered the recovery period. Initially, only light activities such as walking are permitted. Between 2–4 weeks after surgery, walking duration can be gradually increased, and low-intensity core exercises like wall sits may be introduced. After 3 months, provided follow-up examinations show no complications, moderate-intensity exercise may be resumed. However, high-pressure abdominal activities such as heavy weightlifting and intense core training should still be avoided to prevent mesh displacement or wound dehiscence.

To ensure health and safety, hernia patients are advised to prioritize safety and engage in exercise only under professional guidance. Any discomfort during exercise should prompt immediate cessation of activity and consultation with a healthcare provider.