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Can My Grandmother With An Abdominal Hernia Safely Do Exercises To Strengthen Her Core Without Surgery?
Hi there! I am seeking medical advice for my grandmother. She had hernia surgery about 3 years ago, and now has another hernia, in the abdomen region. However, she does not want to meet with her doctor because she s afraid of undergoing another surgery. She says the hernia does not currently have any symptoms accompanying it. However, she has asked me to help her establish a routine for exercise. Particularly to strengthen her abdominal muscles.. Do you have any advice?
posted on
Mon, 22 Oct 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 23 Nov 2025
Answered on
Tue, 2 Dec 2025
Last reviewed on
Hello,
When one already has an abdominal hernia—especially an older adult who has had a previous repair—any exercise that increases abdominal pressure can make the hernia worse, even if it is not painful right now. A hernia can remain quiet for months and then suddenly enlarge or get stuck after the wrong movement. Therefore, your goal should be to avoid anything that strains the abdominal wall.
No, true “core‐strengthening” exercises are not recommended until there is a thorough examination by a surgeon. Some exercises like sit-ups, planks, crunches, leg raises, and even some of the yoga positions tend to push the hernia outward.
However, this does not mean one cannot remain active. She can, but the activity must be safe, for example:
• Gentle walking daily with no risk to the hernia
• Light stretching
• Simple breathing exercises
• Low-impact moves that focus on posture rather than putting pressure on the abdomen
• Very mild pelvic tilts-only those which the doctor recommends after viewing the hernia
What needs to be avoided are:
• Any exercise that she "tightens the belly"
• Lifting anything heavy
• Straining, sudden twisting, or trying new exercises without guidance.
The most important step here is this: She really does need at least one surgical opinion — not for the fact that she must do surgery, but someone needs to assess the size and type of hernia before telling her what movements are safe. Many hernias do not require immediate surgery, but they do require observation.
With her history of a prior hernia surgery, it is all the more important that someone checks whether this new one is small, reducible, or at risk of getting trapped. You can reassure her that going to see a doctor doesn't mean that they'll strong-arm her into surgery; rather, it's the safest way of finding out what activities won't harm her.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further query I will be happy to help. Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Usaid Yousuf, General and Family Physician
When one already has an abdominal hernia—especially an older adult who has had a previous repair—any exercise that increases abdominal pressure can make the hernia worse, even if it is not painful right now. A hernia can remain quiet for months and then suddenly enlarge or get stuck after the wrong movement. Therefore, your goal should be to avoid anything that strains the abdominal wall.
No, true “core‐strengthening” exercises are not recommended until there is a thorough examination by a surgeon. Some exercises like sit-ups, planks, crunches, leg raises, and even some of the yoga positions tend to push the hernia outward.
However, this does not mean one cannot remain active. She can, but the activity must be safe, for example:
• Gentle walking daily with no risk to the hernia
• Light stretching
• Simple breathing exercises
• Low-impact moves that focus on posture rather than putting pressure on the abdomen
• Very mild pelvic tilts-only those which the doctor recommends after viewing the hernia
What needs to be avoided are:
• Any exercise that she "tightens the belly"
• Lifting anything heavy
• Straining, sudden twisting, or trying new exercises without guidance.
The most important step here is this: She really does need at least one surgical opinion — not for the fact that she must do surgery, but someone needs to assess the size and type of hernia before telling her what movements are safe. Many hernias do not require immediate surgery, but they do require observation.
With her history of a prior hernia surgery, it is all the more important that someone checks whether this new one is small, reducible, or at risk of getting trapped. You can reassure her that going to see a doctor doesn't mean that they'll strong-arm her into surgery; rather, it's the safest way of finding out what activities won't harm her.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further query I will be happy to help. Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Usaid Yousuf, General and Family Physician
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