The Healing Power of Yoga
Yoga can be used as a treatment for chronic back pain, in fact for any type of long-term illness associated with the nervous system and movement. Before I explain a little bit as to how it can, remember that yoga means Union and is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ which means to join or to unite. Yoga is a 5000-year-old Indian concept of having knowledge about the body. It is an ascetic discipline which includes breath control, meditation, and the adoption of body postures. It is carried out for health and relaxation. It’s significance in the world of pain relief is increasing day by day. In fact, many types of research have proved that doing Yoga can be very helpful. In fact, it is just like a panacea.
It can also bring good results for a patient who is suffering from chronic back pain. Here in this article, I will inform you how Yoga can be helpful in any type of chronic back pain case. So let’s begin by firstly understanding what Chronic Pain is and then how Yoga can be beneficial for soothing it.
What is Chronic Pain?
Basically, it refers to any pain which lasts for more than 12 weeks. It is different from acute pain which can arise due to any possible injury. Chronic pain can persist for months or even longer and can become worse and recur. The most common sources of chronic pain are low back pain, headache, and arthritis. Such a type of pain causes psychological and emotional trauma and restricts a person’s ability to function properly.
Suffering From Chronic Back Pain
If you feel a sudden pain in your back after lifting a heavy object or feel pain due to continuously sitting on a chair, then you are suffering from lower back pain. Lower back pain symptoms can include any of the following combinations:
- Pain which tends to be achy and dull
- Difficulty in moving that can be severe enough to prevent from walking or standing
- Pain which also moves around the waist, buttock or upper thigh, but rarely travels below the knees
- Muscle spasms and tenderness which can be severe
- Pain upon touch and movements
How Can Yoga Help Chronic Back Pain?
Chronic pain triggers changes in brain structure that are linked to depression, anxiety, and other functions. Research shows that practicing yoga has the opposite effect on the brain and thus it can relieve low-level to severe chronic pain. It can, therefore, be said that Yoga practitioners have a different method of coping with the anticipation of pain.
As people who are suffering from back pain will know, it can make you thoroughly miserable. You might have tried certain remedies like applying ice packs, massages, ointments & consumed pills. All of this might have provided relief to you. However, most of these treatments will provide an easing of symptoms in the short-term. Eventually, you will still feel pain in your back and having tried lots of these different types of pain relief methods, then why not give Yoga a try, what have you got to lose?
Yoga Provides Relief In Back Pain As Below:
Yoga focuses on the balance and strength of the entire body which is ideal for improving back strength and circulation. Pain relief can be achieved through a number of different ways.
1. Decreasing Muscle Tension
One of the major and primary causes of back pain is muscle tension. Many people who have a sitting job will face this issue as they often work in limited cramped tight spaces. This will affect the muscles in the spine, the buttocks, and shoulders. So when you do yoga poses, your muscles will stretch and loosen up in areas where they were previously tense. These are those muscles you may not often stretch, and yoga provides an atmosphere to do so. Yoga stretches may be best for those whose back pain is directly related to stress or poor posture.
2. Better Alignment of the Spine
As yoga focuses on alignment of the body as a whole, by practicing yoga a better alignment of the spine will result in relieving back pain. The basic idea behind it is that you will work on improving your back posture, however, you will also work on your legs, neck, shoulders, and other body parts. Since all the parts of the body affect each other, an increase in flexibility in one area of the body will positively affect the other.
3. Bikram Yoga
When you become a little bit habitual to Yoga then you can try Bikram Yoga to relieve back issues. Here the combination of yoga poses with the increased temperature will allow you to release more muscle tension. You will feel more relaxed and your body will become more flexible.
How Does Breathing Help in Yoga?
Breathing plays a significant role in Yoga. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced yogi you will need to practice breathing techniques. Controlled breathing not only keeps mind and body functioning at their best, it can also lower the blood pressure, promote feelings of calmness and relaxation. It helps you to de-stress. It helps to inhale fresh air, so people often do Pranayama (yoga breathing techniques) in the morning. This will circulate oxygen throughout the body, which allows for a deeper stretch. Breathing also provides a good chance for mediation on a spiritual or emotional level, which can be very important to overcome pain.
It is necessary that you take control of breathing during yoga postures. Though it may take the time to learn breathing techniques, once you have mastered them you will feel a difference in your entire body.
Posture, Balance, and Body Maintenance Through Yoga
As the yoga poses are meant to train the body to be healthy and supple, the consistent practice will result in improved posture, and an increased sense of balance, with head, shoulders and pelvis in proper alignment. Yoga strengthens both sides of the body equally.
Ultimately, a proper body alignment and good posture, which helps to maintain the natural curvature of the spine, is an important part of reducing or avoiding lower back pain. You will begin to feel like you should have started yoga earlier!
Yoga can really treat all chronic pain problems. As I’ve outlined here it will definitely relieve back pain, in particular, chronic back pain. Just remember that if you have been suffering for a long time and taking treatment before you start a yoga program to alleviate back pain, talk to your doctor. At the start of any yoga class remember also to inform your yoga instructor about your condition. And believe me, it will provide you permanent relief from the pain. You will no longer require other treatments like medicines, ointments, ice-packs, heat-gels and so on. So go ahead and give it a go.
