Got a pain in the back? Why you should give yoga a try

There are a couple of really good reasons I decided to get into yoga, and chronic lower and upper back pain were right at the top of the list.

Let’s start with issues of flexibility and strength.  For those of us who suffer from back pain,  the lack of flexibility and strength in our muscles only contribute to it.  To ease this pain, I turned to yoga to help me build each, and as a result, have been able to strike a healthier balance between the two.  For those of us who can feel the tightness in certain areas of our bodies like our hips and shoulders (not to mention the burning pain–yikes!), yoga can be a very gentle method for relieving that tension and relaxing our muscles. Lots of stretching=increased flexibility=a reduction in tension and pain.

If you are searching for the right yoga practice to begin loosening up your muscles, I would recommend the hatha practice.  This is a much gentler approach in comparison to Ashtanga, for example, and will offer you a softer, less physically demanding entry point.

Another key benefit that will help you soothe your back pain is the emphasis yoga places on body alignment. Through yoga, you become much more aware of where each body part is, where it belongs, and how it impacts other areas of the body.  Very, very important for those of us who experience chronic-or near-chronic-pain. 

And finally, if you experience back pain in and around your shoulders like I do, it can become even more intense when you are under stress.  I get to the point where it feels as though my shoulder is on fire.  One of the most helpful and healthful aspects of yoga is how much it can help you improve and tune into your breathing.  Once you do this, I guarantee you will be able to reduce your stress level organically. This in turn will help reduce that stress-induced pain many of us feel, and that’s all too real.  

I remember not really being sure at first that yoga could help me, but it DID. I was at the point where I was unable to sleep through the night due to tension in my shoulders and arms.  It was sheer agony, but yoga gave me a natural, gentle method for easing my pain.  I was considering cortisone shots at one point, but turned to yoga instead.  It has been simply one of the BEST healthcare decisions I have ever made. 

Same for my sister-in-law. She actually went under the knife in hopes of finding relief, but surgery didn’t even work.  She continued to suffer. Even though there were days when she could barely get off the couch, I finally convinced her to give yoga a try.  She moved into it very slowly–she didn’t have much of a choice–but now it is a permanent part of her daily routine to help ease at least some of the pain.  Not sure if she’ll ever be completely pain-free, but she does feel a lot better after her stretching and breathing exercises.  She was tough to convince, but now she is a true believer. 

If you want to imrove your chances for real relief, please, give it a try. Better to go gentle at first, so choose your practice wisely.  I think you’ll be amazed at the results. 

Peace.