Unloaded treadmill training therapy for lumbar disc herniation injury.

The low back region is an area that is very susceptible to injury in athletes. Running is an activity that can be significantly affected by chronic overuse stress. The athlete presented in this case report suffered a herniation of the disc between L-4 and L-5 while training for and racing in a national championship marathon. The athlete was placed on a treatment program of heat, electrical muscle stimulation, and strength and flexibility exercises. The athlete also continued to train by unloaded treadmill training therapy. Unloaded treadmill training therapy produced an effect that reduced stress on injured joints and tissue. This enabled the athlete to maintain fitness while running pain-free on this specialized equipment. The athlete trained twice a week for 16 weeks and training runs ranged from 3 miles to a half-marathon (13.1 miles). Unloaded amounts decreased from 20 to 3 pounds. Training times improved at all distances and were maintained following resumption of normal training.