Is it advisable to do exercise when affected by Tarlov Cyst? Which activities would you suggest and how intense should they be?

Do so with caution and know your limits! The biggest problem with this cyst is that sometimes you only feel a 'pang' of pain from the nerves while exercising or walking, but many times the next day your nerves may feel like they are on fire. Of course you will always know your body best, but take it easy and never "push" yourself. Building muscles in your lower back is important, but when the pains start they don't easily stop. The problem is neurological, so treating it the same as you would a joint problem or other medical conditions are not ideal.

2/26/17 by Amie 1250

I am limited to walking or swimming, but I have known others who could do more. It really depends on how you feel and where your cysts are located.

4/11/17 by Kelly 5450

Depending on the location of the cyst and the symptoms that the cyst is causing, i wouldnt be able to give an accurate detail unless i knew more, but i know with my back having a cyst in the s2 region, sitting brings comfort to me, but i also make sure i try to sit with proper posture and to keep my back as straight as possible. I will also lay on the floor with my legs resting on the coffee table like i am sitting in a chair while laying on the floor and doing slow sit ups while holding a small amount of weight i.e. a gallon of milk, a few larger books, or anything else roughly 8-10 lbs. Slow repitions and frequent stretches. Hot tubs or hot showers also temporarily work for muscle tension before or after doing these exercises.

8/14/17 by James 950

I've been unable to do anything for over a month. I have heard that swimming is helpful

10/5/17 by Val0920 700

The only exercise I can do is walking

10/29/17 by Karen 2500

Exercise helps with mobility but also can produce more pain

1/20/18 by dhedge42 2500

I personally have it so severe that my activities are very limited, short walks etc are suitable

6/18/18 by MissLeanneM 1700

Stay active, walking is best, no "lifting", not extreme cross fit. Stretch each morning while still in bed, stretching the spine, legs and arms. Water physical therapy is the only therapy I would suggest. No regular physical therapy

6/18/18 by Ze 2520

I was not able to do any excercisè

6/19/18 by Debbie Dronfield 2500

I have heard yoga helps I could not exercise

6/19/18 by Lynn 2500

Yes Stretching, walking and swimming are the best

6/22/18 by Julie 1600

At first I could walk at a fast pace but would have a hard time in the mall or at car shows and things like that. Now I can't do much of anything outside my house.

9/5/18 by Barb 100

A client of mine suffers with Tarlov Cysts, swimming doesn’t cause them pain but allows fitness improvement.

11/28/18 by Vicky 100

With exercise you must listen to your body. Heavy weights are not recommended. Walking, if you can, is the best.

11/30/18 by Connie 1740

I think that people who have symptomatic Tarlov cysts should get exercise to a certain extent. Because if you do nothing but sit, or lie around the house, then your body will deteriorate in a way. It goes back to the old saying, "if you don't use it you will lose it". I believe that you should do what is comfortable for you, and only you know what that is. If you have a symptomatic Tarlov cyst, then you shouldn't do anything that will cause you to have more pain. When it comes to Tarlov cysts, even after you have had a proper surgery to treat, or as I like to say drain and contain, the cyst, the old saying "NO PAIN, NO GAIN" doesn't come into play. Because with Tarlov cysts, the pain means that, before surgery you are causing more damage to surrounding nerves, and after surgery you are irritating the damaged nerves, and the more that you irritate them the longer it will take them to heal. I would recommend that a person with a symptomatic Tarlov cyst try to walk each day, to their comfort level, and always remember when you are walking, that if you are walking, say to a certain point from your home and back, that however far away you walk, that is the same distance that you have to walk back. So be aware of how much distance you can walk comfortably, and make sure that you don't go too far that it will cause you pain trying to get home. And always, if possible, take a cell phone with you, just in case you need to call for someone to come and pick you up, and drive you back.

1/25/19 by Roy DeWyatt Smith 700

Genital exercise is a must. Resistance exercises can cause pain. Walking, running are great. Stretching in the bed each morning helps to get your body to accept activity. Water therapy is the best physical therapy for this disease. Be warned that most therapists know nothing about the cysts.

12/9/19 by Ze 1500

WARNING: Physical Therapy, Deep Tissue Massages, high impact exercise can cause a flare and trigger a painful response. Gentle low impact movement: walking and maybe yoga I believe are okay.

12/9/19 by Jess Carhart 2500

I'm looking for support group.Glad I found u all.2010 my TC were found due to nerve pain in my foot so went in for MRI.Speed up to 9 yrs.Ive had 2 more MRI's.Still growing in my sacral area.I do yoga twice a week.I Dance when I basically feel like it, I get therapeutic massages, nothing cures the symptoms and pain, but also know if I don't keep moving I'll feel worse.I am a candidate for the surgery but that's a whole nother ball game with Insurance, Doctors etc.No one understands this rare disease.I need to be connected to those who understand .

12/14/19 by Pam 1700

As I am on a farm here I have no choice but to be active - cleaning horse stalls, moving hay, training/riding/handling horses - this is all heavy work. Surprising enough I find most activities improve my symptoms. The big no-no for me is sitting and standing in one spot and laying flat on my back - the pressure on my sacrum laying flat is miserable. This is pure agony for me, as such I try to not do any of these activities for too long. Also high impact activities such as runny and (don't judge me) Belly Dancing. I would suggest starting with walking 1km daily and working up to around 4 or 5km daily over a span of 4-5 months. Many people take up an activity and them stop because they hurt - they don't realize that they need to start SLOW and work into it. Just like training my horses we start slow and work up to our goals. As with anything I would suggest NOT doing any of the following: - twisting the spine while lifting or walking/activity (no belly dancing!) - bending with the spine to lift something or pick something up - bends from the knees - stretching over your chest for heavy items - use a latter to get stuff off the high shelf - jumping down from a height - jars the spine and also can jar the brain which can cause a concussion! - pulling/pushing - this can jar or strain the spine The take-home is BE ACTIVE; start any activity slowly; set a goal for where you want to be each month; practice good body posture; take your pain meds!

2/13/21 by PonyPoor 100

Exercise is OK, avoid impact exercises. Walking is good if you can.

7/22/21 by Michelle Tamplin 2500

Yes keep moving, walking when possible is best

7/22/21 by hholwell90@gmail.com 700

Плуване и пасивна рехабилитация

7/23/21 by Моника 800

Advice > as little as possible to sit, stand or heavy to make an effort (increasing pressure) > to lie down regularly. Lying down can reduce pain/pressure on some of the sacral cysts. > designated activities: leisurely walk, swimming in warm water, cycling (electric bicycle). Everything at your own pace and within the pain threshold, if this is still possible. > Alcohol, coffee and sun exposure is advised to avoid, this does the increase cerebrospinal pressure. > Stabilization exercises can hurt, the pain increases and the patient drops out, not because he or she does not want to, but because it is not possible. https://sosnl.nl/medici/flyer-sosnl-nl

7/25/21 by SOSNL 2500

Aangewezen activiteiten zijn rustig wandelen, zwemmen (in warm water), fietsen (elektrische fiets) op een eigen tempo en binnen de pijngrens. * Geleidelijke opbouw van de fysieke conditie binnen de pijngrens. Maar de belastbaarheid is erg laag. Daar moet rekening mee worden gehouden

7/26/21 by Founder SOSNL 2500

Walking is acceptable exercise if it is tolerated well.

7/26/21 by KetoGma 2500

There are some exercises posted on YouTube specifically for TC. Check it out especially for those cannot walk.

9/22/21 by Wen 2150

Aquatheraphy and some type of physiotherapy

10/25/22 by Tania 2500

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Walking 4km a day.

3/24/17 by Simona. Translated

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The practice of a sport is impossible because of the difficulty of the walk and all of the pain

9/30/17 by . Translated

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Me I walk on the flat 1 time per week, I do shiatsu center anti pain and I'm doing the aqua bike 1 time per week 45 min. I have tarlov, a degenerative disc disease L5S1 and a dysplasia of the shoulder .

10/23/17 by Caroline. Translated