Yeh, so I’ve never been great with full wheel. I should just except my limitations and do it where I can. I am guessing that forward bends are good for something relating to the spine but I am certainly game for some suggestions.
rtucker, where does it hurt? And what happened when you hurt your back?
Be compassionate with yourself. Check with a dr of your choice like a qualified yoga kenesiologist, chiro, orthopedist, nerology. But trouble with wheel… try move into wheel through wild child… down dog to lift one leg and bend it and bring it over and also once your back is okay try passive backbends work up to 3 minutes.
I would hang upside down from a tree limb and sway back and forth making sure I did deep breaths and funny sounds.
You could also extend the spine then bend the other way.
Not enough information provided.
Mid spine (t12). My osteopathic friend says my t12 has slid forward.
What therapy has the osteopath chosen for you?
I don’t know how you feel about chiropractic care but I swear by it, especially in a case such as yours.
Swimming might help, too.
In October '09 issue of Yoga Journal magazine, there was a sequence given to prepare for wheel. It included these poses: King Arthur, Bridge, a variation of 2-legged inverted Staff pose, Cobra, Down-dog, and a shoulder stretch using a chair as a prop.
Hope this helps!