Back pain affects millions of people throughout the world with most experiencing chronic back pain. Whether the cause of back pain has to do with an injury, the profession you are in, underlying causes, or another factor, ongoing back pain can lead to such things as disability, decreased quality of life, psychological distress, and chronic pain. While there are many different avenues one can take to help to absolve, relieve and live with recurring back pain, not all avenues are the best for long-term relief. Pain medication, surgery, and more may be presented as options on how to relieve and decrease back pain. But with those options most times the negative side effects outweigh the good. That’s where yoga comes in. Yoga helps to relax, strengthen, and stretch your muscles. It also helps to increase flexibility as well as improve balance, all while relaxing your mind, body, and spirit. In fact, the effects of yoga may actually help to decrease back pain symptoms while improving function. And yoga also greatly helps to increase the quality of life while promoting a sense of inner peace.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is a practice that includes mind, body, and spirit. A type of exercise utilizing muscle movement and inner mindfulness, helping to improve stress relief, weight management, and flexibility while also promoting pain and stress relief. Practicing yoga is one of the best things that you can do when living with chronic back pain.
How Yoga Has Helped Chronic Back Pain Sufferers
“Jim, a Phoenix auto repair shop owner, began experiencing back pain about 2 years ago. It started gradually when he thought he may have just pulled a muscle or tweaked something when he was utilizing one of the heavy machines or tools in his repair shop. It persisted to the point where he wouldn’t be able to get out of bed on some days. As a small business owner, this was not feasible. He needed to be mobile and able to repair cars, which also meant using heavy machines and tools. After trying to talk to his doctor and temporarily taking muscle relaxers he knew this was not the treatment for him. That’s when he turned to yoga.”
Most Popular Types of Yoga
- Ashtanga
- Vinyasa
- Hatha
- Kundalini
- Hot Yoga
- Power
- Restorative
- Iyengar
With so many different types of yoga practices to choose from, there’s definitely some type of yoga for everyone. While some forms of yoga may be better than others for those with chronic back pain it is important that you speak with your healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise regime. It is also essential that you listen to your body and understand your limits. Yoga is all about the gradual practice of breaking your flexible limits and your mental restraints on what you think you can do and are actually capable of. Jim, an auto mechanic for over 30 years, has found solace and incredible back pain relief by beginning to practice yoga. He may have never thought of himself as one to take up yoga or become a yogi, but now that he’s living it he can’t imagine what his quality of life would be like living with the chronic back pain he once had to live with.
