Yoga and Back Pain

Nearly everyone either has or will have experienced back pain at some point in their life. Back pain is the second most common reason for visiting MDs. The number one reason for seeing a chiropractor. Back pain is the leading cause for disability for people under forty-five.

Back pain can be triggered by something as trivial as sneezing or getting out of a chair. However, the problem usually stems from years of subtle injuries and trauma to the back. The most common malady is low back strain. That covers minor muscle, ligament, and joint problems in the lumbar spine and surrounding tissues. Sciatica, generally a more severe condition, caused when the shock-absorbing disk that separates two spinal vertebrae bulges out and compresses a nerve root exiting the spinal cord, causing pain which radiates down the leg, and sometimes into the foot.

When you are evaluating your therapeutic options, consider a yoga therapist. A yoga therapist is a certified, experienced yoga teacher who has undertaken further yoga therapy courses and certifications. They will examine factors like posture, your emotions, and your work and living environment to help figure out what set you up for back trouble in the first place.

Tension in muscles increase when the bodies stress-response system is activated. This by itself can cause pain. Mental tension can cause the back muscles to spasm also resulting in pain. Find the root of the tension and the pain disappears. Relaxation and breathing exercises help shift the balance from the autonomic nervous system to the restorative parasympathetic side causing deep muscles that may be the source of pain, to let go.

Of course back pain is also linked to posture, muscle tightness, and muscle weakness, as well as a lack of body awareness-- yoga effectively addresses all of these issues.