A famous German clinic, the Bilz Clinic, produced a book that details all their treatments. They recommended simple exercises, mineral baths and the conscientious wearing of a truss or support until the hernia was cured. Of course, many hernias probably continued to cause problems and there were no elastic materials that are commonplace today. Supports were made of leather and canvas and were often ill-fitting and uncomfortable. But the use of a rupture truss was seen as a stepping stone towards restoration of full good health.

Modernising this approach

The Herniabible system incorporates and develops these basic principles, adapting them to modern knowledge and modern products and materials. We are now able to lay out a set of principles which, if conscientously followed, we hope will bring you the same success as was described in the old treatises and by the individuals on this website.

1. Use the right support garment

Elsewhere on this site we have described the problems of using hernia belts and trusses, since these tend to have pads which bulge into the hernia, preventing it from closing. Instead we advise using a quality support with flat pads that will not aggravate the hernia, and fits so well that the pads keep the hernia "in" at all times. Click the above link to get a six-week free trial of our recommended support garment.

2. Strengthen your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles

This is done by regular walking and carrying out the recommended Pilates exercises. Strong muscles help to support your abdominal wall and so help to prevent rupture and hold in your hernia.

3. Reduce internal abdominal pressure

Pressure on your hernia from within aggravates a hernia. This pressure comes from overeating, or from choosing the wrong foods, which accumulate instead of passing easily through your digestive system. You can reduce internal abdominal pressure by following our recommended diet. This diet reduces the quantity of food residue in your intestines by

• Eating foods which are easily digested
• Cutting down on foods which tend to linger in your digestive system
• Avoiding foods which make you constipated
• Eating foods which help to reduce gas formation
• Eating foods rich in the nutrients needed for strong connective tissue
• Reducing the number of meals in a day
• Improving the quality of your food so that you are less likely to binge