How to Care for Cervical Spine Injury?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi everyone,

I recently started a regular yoga practice to help heal a desiccated disk between my C4 and C5 vertebrae (see MRI image attached to this post). I’ve been working with a few wonderful yoga teachers, but no one seems to have a clear idea of what poses I should and should not do. Even my doctor has a hard time commenting, as he’s not familiar with yoga. Everyone can agree that headstands are out and that I should support my neck when I can with a blanket or pillow, but beyond that, there’s a lot of speculation and unsureness.

So I thought I would ask here in hopes that someone here is familiar with my type of injury. [B]What poses should I avoid? And which poses would give me the most healing?[/B] Other resources also much appreciated.

Also, before anyone says, “If it hurts, don’t do it,” I have few symptoms beyond minor hand tingling from time to time and a few wrist issues. I am so grateful that I do not have acute pain or severe symptoms, so using those as cues to avoid a pose doesn’t really apply at the moment. I would like to keep it that way. :smiley:

Namaste.

#2

PM me.

#3

well… hard to say. i have no experience reading xray. but looks like disc is pressing on the cord.
Apply your wisdom, looks like you have one:) everything that puts too much strain, too much flexing or extension of the cervical spine should b avoided i’d think.

sadly , but sometimes when something in the body get damaged it doesn’t hurt right away… so “do not do it if it hurts” sometimes is not applicable.

I used to teach a class for cervical curve restoration… need to look up more…

hard to advise online thought:) but definitely think of lifting the base of the skull in all poses and hmmm… and feel better!

#4

I have fixed few cases of severe neck/back related issues including my own slipped disc. If nothing works then let me know. Yoga works wonder for sure but approach in such cases is observational and gradual.

#5

[QUOTE=SohamYogaStudio;85521]I have fixed few cases of severe neck/back related issues including my own slipped disc. If nothing works then let me know. Yoga works wonder for sure but approach in such cases is observational and gradual.[/QUOTE]

Thanks. Can you recommend some poses that I should concentrate on, or other poses I should avoid?

#6

This is tricky (or rather false) to answer because I need to check what is the range of motion your neck has now. How much is the pain you feel when turning in different directions etc. Based on these inputs, I will be in a position to guide you something, that too will be in observation of few days to make sure it is working for you. We can Skype in this case on weekend. Send me email from my website below with different details like your age, medical history , any other complications , nature of your work , your height /weight , and your time zone etc.