Water exercises are a good way to get rid of the pain caused by a herniated disc. Water-based exercises basically offer the same benefits you get from the associated land-based exercises. One great advantage to exercise in the pool is that water makes it easier for pain-patients to perform the movements.

This is due to some great property that water has:

• It takes the pressure away from the discs while you exercise
• It diminishes the risk of unwanted injuries due to inapt movements
• It makes exercising feel easy and even relaxing

Here are some of the most basic water exercises for herniated disc problems that help relieve the acute pain:

1. Marching or Running Exercise – Either in place or from one end to the other of the pool move your legs as if you were marching or running. Bring your knees as high as you can while doing it. While this exercise would be unthinkable on land for most of the herniated disc sufferers, in water it is a very useful and effective training method. If executed regularly, this routine helps stretching the back and thus making it more flexible.
2. Leg Raising Exercise – Grab hold of the pool side with one hand. Stand on one leg (bend this on a little) while outstretching the other one in front of you for a few seconds. Repeat this movement 5 to 10 times and then do the same with you other leg. This exercise strengthens and stretches your lower back and hip muscles at the same time.
3. Knee Raising Exercise – Again, hold tight on the side of the pool either with one hand or with both hands & your back to the wall. Lift one knee as close to the chest as you can and wait for a few seconds than put your leg back down and repeat with the other one then with both. Do it all over again for a number of times.

When you exercise in the water regularly you help release a lot of the acute pain caused by your herniated disc. Do not stop after you feel better, your pain will most certainly come back. These exercises along with other on-land herniated disc exercise options are designed to help you combat the symptom and not the root cause of the problem.