Treating back pain with yoga

Health & FitnessMedicine

  • Author Steven Johnson
  • Published May 25, 2011
  • Word count 546

There are many painful conditions that can be effectively relieved with the use of yoga, and back pain is not an exception. However, before you decide to go into a yoga class to give your back a little stretch and twist, you should definitely consult with your doctor. Back pain often results from the mechanical imbalance of spine disks and back muscles that start working in a wrong way. With this taken into account your physician may suggest you the following:

  • avoiding specific movements

  • maintaining the right amount of physical activity for your condition

  • following basic safety tips

  • learning about the possible effects of the drugs you take due to increased physical activity

After having a conversation with your doctor you should talk to the yoga instructor you're going to work with about the peculiarities of your physical condition. In case you've ran across a really good yoga instructor your special requirements will definitely be met. It's in your own interest to inform your instructor about your health problems in order for the practice to be a positive experience that won't aggravate your condition.

The most important thing you have to understand about yoga is that its main aim is to achieve a healthy balance between muscle flexibility and strength. Such a balance is crucial for eliminating the very cause for back pain to occur, so yoga can be as effective as painkillers like Tramadol if used correctly. Muscle tension in the lower back, spine and shoulder region is the primary cause for the back pain to occur, and yoga can help eliminate these tensions, while also building up your muscle strength and flexibility. So you're killing two birds with one stone.

What makes a lot of people get confused with yoga is that it's present in a variety of styles and forms, which vary greatly in intensity, techniques used and the primary regions aimed by the practice. In some forms of yoga there's a strong emphasis on spiritual meditation, while in others your body will get an exercise like you will never experience in a gym. In order to get a good start for back pain relief with yoga it would be good to choose hatha yoga first. This style of yoga is based on gentle stretch and relaxation, which will benefit in relieving muscle tension in the back. Other styles of yoga that could help you with their physical aspects are Kundalini, Ashtanga and Bikram, but they are more intense and won't be very beneficial for yoga newbies, especially with health problems.

There were numerous studies made on the effectiveness of yoga for patients with mechanical conditions, and most of them found yoga to be more beneficial that typical physical exercises aimed for these conditions. For specific health conditions yoga was observed to be particularly beneficial, such as:

  • kyphosis

  • scoliosis

  • lordosis

  • stenosis

  • intervertebral disk issues

  • nerve root issues

Sure, if you've been prescribed with painkiller medications such as Tramadol by your doctor, this doesn't mean that yoga will replace your medication use. See it as a complimentary pain relief method that will improve your condition and may ultimately decrease the dosage of Tramadol you will need for pain relief. However, you should discuss this with your doctor as you progress in your yoga classes.

Amazed by the professional approach with which Steven Johnson explores the subject of the article? Visit [http://www.bestremedy.net/articles/yoga.html](http://www.bestremedy.net/articles/yoga.html) to read more articles from Steven Johnson in which he shares his point of view on many other topics.

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