Back problem

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hello all!

Well I have had a back problem for the past year or so. I went to the chiropractor and it helped a bit. If I remember correctly its a compressed vertebrae, and if I have my shirt off you can see a little bump where the one vertebrae is. So I was wondering if there are any specific asanas I could use to help relax the muscles help it all even out. I have been doing the shoulderstand and plough, and that helps a good deal as long as I do it often. The problem doesnt cause me very much pain, but just some discomfort in the location of the vertebrae and I get some worse pain that goes accross my shoulder if I remain standing up for a long time.

So thats all, I appreciate anything that anyone has to offer. Id like to avoid going to the chiropractor again as it wasnt helping me a whole lot.

Thanks!

#2

I cannot help you, but for the benefit of others who may be able to (and my own curiosity), which vertebrae is it that is compressed?

#3

Its the upper back, pretty much right between my shoulder blades. Part of it is probably my poor sitting habits, as I sit sometimes so that my chin is pretty much touching my chest (im pretty much laying down, but my head is upright). Obviously not good in the long run. But I have fine posture when standing, or driving.

#4

An issue warranting a visit to a healthcare practitioner qualifies as therapeutic and should be dealt with by a highly skilled, well trained yoga teacher with therapeutic experience and training.

That having been said…I’d not be steering a student with this sort of issue toward Sarvangasana and I would absolutely not have them doing Halasana.

More likely the genesis of therapeutic work for this would stem from spinal traction and gentle backbends, not to mention lifestyle and nutrition changes and meditation.

#5

Ok thanks. Yes I have a good diet, and I meditate regularly. I eat mainly Ital (all natural, no preservatives) and no meat, but occasionally fish. I do the shoulder stand and plough, it just seemed best at stretching out and relaxing the back, and I always follow with the fish. And it usually loosens the back up pretty well. I think the main thing I need to focus on is the way I sit. Mind you its not a serious problem, it very rarely gives me pain, but I can still feel it there.

Thanks for the guidance!

#6

Back pain/discomfort is a common issue in yoga. I also agree that seeing a trained professional is your best bet, but you can also experiment with gentle movements, particularly backbends that focus specifically on the upper back, while emphasizing length. Be careful though, and be very sensitive to what you are feeling during and after doing yoga.

Because the upper back curve is rounded to the back, it’s most likely that an exaggerated rounded back is what is causing the problem. If that’s the case, halasana and sarvangasana may make things worse. Doing something gentle and restorative like lying supine, lengthwise on a bolster or rolled blanket (with your spine along the middle of the bolster), your bum off of the bolster on a block and your arms stretched out to the sides.

You want to feel a gentle opening through your chest and upper back, nothing in your lower back and absolutely no pain or discomfort where the spinal compression is.

Try that and let me know.

#7

You’re welcome.

So you don’t ingest refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol, U.S. wheat, or dairy and you eat plenty of deep green leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, chard) while consuming half your body weight in ounces of hydrating fluid?

[QUOTE=Dreadfish;18139]Ok thanks. Yes I have a good diet, and I meditate regularly. I eat mainly Ital (all natural, no preservatives) and no meat, but occasionally fish…

Thanks for the guidance![/QUOTE]

#8

[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;18163]You’re welcome.

So you don’t ingest refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol, U.S. wheat, or dairy and you eat plenty of deep green leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, chard) while consuming half your body weight in ounces of hydrating fluid?[/QUOTE]

Hah, generally speaking I do my best. I could use more leafy vegetables, and I hydrate myself decently. So of course there are more things I am working on as they come to me, as its all still a learning process and im not going to pretend to have it all down. And no dairy mainly, im almost vegan, but I eat cheese natural when my body needs it.

#9

[quote=Dreadfish;18104]Hello all!

Well I have had a back problem for the past year or so. I went to the chiropractor and it helped a bit. If I remember correctly its a compressed vertebrae, and if I have my shirt off you can see a little bump where the one vertebrae is. So I was wondering if there are any specific asanas I could use to help relax the muscles help it all even out. I have been doing the shoulderstand and plough, and that helps a good deal as long as I do it often. The problem doesnt cause me very much pain, but just some discomfort in the location of the vertebrae and I get some worse pain that goes accross my shoulder if I remain standing up for a long time.

So thats all, I appreciate anything that anyone has to offer. Id like to avoid going to the chiropractor again as it wasnt helping me a whole lot.

Thanks![/quote]

Shoulderstand and plough are ones i personally avoid, though everyone is different i guess. They look like poses likely to compress the spine, rather than de-compress it, (unlike say downward-dog.:))

Alot of folk sometimes play down their pain epsecially if they've found it iintractable or a cure elusive.

What i've learnt is in hatha yoga there are'nt specicif asanas for specific ailments, or at least it's not that simple.

Your best best is an extensively & well-trained teacher with experience dealing with issues such as these.

The only thing i can think of is to remind you to breath evenly and gently,mindfully.

As IA says hard to deal with these kinds of issues simply with text over internet. But feel free to provide more info. It does sound like you're doing the right things such as ingesting a wholesome diet etc.

If you're really stuck you could always learn about hanna somatics( seemy thread of that title and learn how to pandiculate, inorder to release and lengthen muscles held involuntarily tight( by brain level-reflexes), which have resisted all other means of improvement, by most conventional or alternative therapy.

You could learn the cat-stretch/somatic excercises and how to pandiculate.Worth learning.

#10

I was in a car accident in 2004 and have the same issue. I went to a PT for 1 1/2 years and it helped some. Mine hurts when I sit. It is ok when I stand, lift weights, do yoga or walk. Running also bothers me. I think the bouncing is not good for it. I have come to terms with the fact that it will be an issue for my whole life and I will always have to be aware of it.

#11

Well I have been learning and such, and have come to a conclusion, that was supported after I read more about Ayurveda. So… I have had depression on and off for a while (around a year) sometimes mild and sometimes more. And after learning more about chakras as well I have realized that my back problem is directly where Anahata chakra is. So I have concluded that they are related, in so many words.
The somatics thing is interesting, and I have explored it, but I actually dont have many muscles that Im aware of that are held tight most of the time.
But I have found that Nagasana is good for this kind of back problem, and I have been trying it slowly and cautiously. I think combined with other things will help a good deal.

And thats all I have to say about that. Thanks for the replies! Any more guidance is appreciated.

#12

[QUOTE=Dreadfish;19224]… I actually dont have many muscles that Im aware of that are held tight most of the time…[/QUOTE]

Then you are likely the only human being on the planet with such a nature :slight_smile: