Chronic Pain

Yoga Discussion Structural Yoga Therapy
#1

When working with a client who has chronic pain -

  1. Do you want to strengthen the opposing muscle? Or, is it better to strengthen the muscles below the site of injury?

  2. You say in your book i.e. last paragraph on page 295 to be mindful of the pain but not to exert through the pain. Can you explain that paragraph? It sounds like in chronic conditions of pain you want to work through the pain gently but also be mindful of the pain and watch the sensations change and move. Is this what you are saying? And then this will evoke the “relaxation response”?

#2

  1. As always find out what is weak and focus on that. When weakness is found below injury or pain, that I give special extra attention and also more variety on toning.

  2. If you are delicate when facing pain you will find that this gentleness (translate to YS II, 47) produces the relaxation response. Especially when coupled with the intention to relax your effort. That right level of effort also lessens pain. It may take some testing but it works!