Watch: In this video, I explain the three common approaches people take after discovering they have a hernia, and the one that I took.

The 3 Paths After an Inguinal Hernia Diagnosis

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia, you’re probably hearing the same thing from everyone around you:

“You’ll eventually need surgery.”

But after dealing with an inguinal hernia myself and talking with thousands of people in the same situation, I realized that most people actually end up taking one of three very different paths after diagnosis.

Understanding these options can help you decide what approach makes the most sense for your situation.

Your Options After an Inguinal Hernia Diagnosis

When someone discovers they have an inguinal hernia, they usually end up choosing one of three approaches.

1. Immediate Hernia Surgery

Some people choose to get surgery right away.

Surgery can be the right option in many situations, especially if the hernia is painful, growing quickly, or causing complications.

Modern hernia surgery is common and often successful, but like any surgery, it also comes with risks and recovery time.

2. Watchful Waiting

Another option doctors often recommend is something called watchful waiting.

Watchful waiting basically means monitoring the hernia while delaying surgery.

The problem with watchful waiting is that it usually doesn’t involve doing anything to address the underlying factors that may have contributed to the hernia in the first place.

Instead, people are simply told to wait and see if symptoms worsen.

3. Proactive Intervention

The third approach is what I call proactive intervention.

Instead of doing nothing and hoping the situation doesn’t get worse, proactive intervention focuses on addressing the factors that may have contributed to the hernia in the first place.

This is the path I personally chose.

My Personal Experience With an Inguinal Hernia

When I first discovered my hernia, it was about the size of two golf balls and would pop out as soon as I got out of bed in the morning.

At the time, I was very active, surfing, riding dirt bikes, training, and more.

I began documenting everything I was learning and experimenting with on my blog, My Natural Hernia Cure, and on YouTube.

Over time, this led to conversations with thousands of people dealing with inguinal hernias.

And that’s when I started noticing the same patterns showing up again and again.

The Five Root Causes I Saw Over and Over

After years of talking with people and experimenting myself, I began seeing five common factors associated with many inguinal hernias.

  • Weakness in the muscles surrounding the inguinal canal
  • Poor pelvic posture (especially anterior pelvic tilt)
  • Limited mobility in the hips, hamstrings, and lower back
  • Digestive pressure from excess gas, bloating, or constipation
  • Chronic tension and stress

Once I started addressing these issues in my own life, things started turning around quickly.

Over time, the lump disappeared, and my hernia eventually became completely asymptomatic.

Today I’m able to stay active and live as if I don’t even have a hernia.

You can read more about my personal experience in why I didn’t get hernia surgery.

The Role of a Hernia Support Belt

One tool that helped a lot during this process was wearing a hernia support belt.

Not as a cure.

But simply to hold the tissue in place so I could stay active while working on the deeper issues.

In my case, the biggest benefit of the belt was psychological. It removed the constant worry of the hernia pushing out during daily activities.

That mental space allowed me to focus on addressing the underlying factors.

The Goal Isn’t Ignoring the Problem

Every hernia situation is different, and surgery may absolutely be the right decision in some cases.

Especially if the hernia is painful or becomes complicated.

But if you’ve just been diagnosed, it’s important to understand that you may have more options than you realize.

The goal isn’t ignoring the problem and hoping it goes away.

The goal is understanding your body and your options well enough to make the best decision for your situation.

Download the Free Guide

If you want to learn the strategies that helped me stay active while dealing with a hernia, download the free guide:

How to Stay Active With a Hernia

Common Questions People Ask Me About Hernias

If I don’t get surgery right away, will my hernia get worse?

This is one of the most common fears people have after diagnosis. The truth is that every hernia situation is different, but yes, most likely, if you do not take some sort of proactive action against the root causes of the hernia, it will get worse until you eventually need surgery.

Can a hernia become asymptomatic without surgery?

In my case, yes. When I first discovered my hernia, it was about the size of two golf balls and would pop out constantly. After addressing the five root causes I mentioned above, the lump gradually disappeared, and the hernia eventually became completely asymptomatic.

Is a hernia belt a permanent solution?

No. A belt doesn’t fix the underlying issues that caused the hernia. But it can be extremely helpful for holding the tissue in place so you can stay active while working on the deeper factors that may be contributing to the problem.

Why don’t doctors usually talk about these root causes?

Most surgeons focus on the structural repair of the abdominal wall only. Their job is to repair the hernia surgically. They are trained to alleviate the symptoms of the hernia with surgery, not to address the root causes of what caused it in the first place.

What should you do after discovering a hernia?

The most important step is understanding your options. Surgery may be the right choice in some situations, especially if the hernia becomes painful or complicated. But many people benefit from learning what factors may be contributing to the hernia and taking a proactive approach to addressing them.