My father needs help

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi guys,

I need help or advice for my father.

He has degenerative disc disease and also suffers from chronic migraines. It is now so bad that he is in pain everyday and it has gotten to the point where he will need to get a spinal fusion, which might not even solve the pain issue! He is becoming very depressed as a result, I think he feels there is no hope and obviously being in pain everyday is very debilitating. My mother is also very concerned and stressed because of what he is going through.

I have suggested yoga/ pilates to them so many times but they are so set in their ways!

They live in South Africa (Bloemfontein) and I believe good yoga teachers are hard to come by. I would like to find someone in their area who can actually give my father private 1-2-1 classes at his home because he would need special attention due to his physical condition.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge at what, if anything, can be done to help? Or any good teachers in Bloemfontein?

Thanks!

#2

Omamana,

So sorry to hear of your father’s pain. From experience there is nothing worse than chronic back pain. Back pain and migraines make it even worse.

How old is your father? The answer to that question will likely affect answers you get from forum members. Is his pain localized to his back or does it radiate down his leg(s)?

Unfortunately, you can’t make someone do something they don’t want to do. That makes any resolution difficult. But, does your father trust his doctor? If so, perhaps you could talk with his doctor about yoga and other options. The doctor, in turn could offer this as a suggestion and your father may be more apt to agree. While yoga is extremely helpful and appropriate for many, one must know their limits. A different approach to begin with, might just open him up later to accept yoga. Perhaps Acupuncture for pain management (back and migraines). Once the pain is managed, he will be able to more clearly see the bigger picture and make some good decisions. If the pain is improved, the depression will hopefully subside.

Until your father is more receptive to yoga, for now, I would concentrate on relaxation techniques such as Yoga Nidra, and anything that helps to calm and relax him. Show him proper breathing techniques also. This will help with pain management.

If and when he decides yoga may be right for him, I would look for a good Yoga Therapist or an actual Physical Therapist (at least to start) to work on what stretches would be appropriate for his DDD. Each persons limitations are different.

Sorry I couldn’t be of more help to you. But I do hope what I shared at least gives you a starting point. Hopefully, someone knows of a good yoga therapist in Bloemfontein and can direct you to that person.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your parents. Keep us posted please?

#3

Thank you for your reply Lotusgirl. My father is 57 and the pain is centered around his neck and back area, bearing in mind he also has degenerative disc disease. Where my father is from in South Africa they are still very naive when it comes to ?alterative? therapies including yoga and I don?t think ?yoga therapy? has even reached South Africa. I don?t think his doctor would be helpful apart from prescribing drugs!

He has tried Acupuncture and Physical Therapy, both of which made no difference.

Unfortunately I live in the UK so I cannot help him myself. I think he would try yoga if he actually had someone go to him on a regular basis.

I?m hoping someone on the forum has a few posture suggestions that I could show him when I see him in April…I guess that is my only option at this stage.

Could I send him to you? :wink:

#4

Namaste Omamama,

You might want to look into the McKenzie Institute. One of my doctors gave me their book ‘Treat Your Own Back’, which provided a lot of important information and proved to be very helpful to me for my lower back problems. They also have a book called ‘Treat Your Own Neck’. You might want to check that out and see if it is appropriate for your father’s condition. If they are considering surgery, your father’s condition is serious and I would not make any suggestion without consulting with your father’s doctors, or other competent professional who is familiar with your father’s case.

#5

Asuri,

Great suggestions! I have the book on Treating your neck. It’s quite good!

@Omamana,
Sure, send him here!
There is another book that I should have thought about and mentioned. "Muscular Retraining for Pain Free Living by Craig Williamson, MSOT. It came highly recommended but I’ve yet had the time to delve into it. But is seems to be very thorough and shows yoga poses that are gentle, but work on alignment.

With neck issues, gentle stretches. Most importantly though is to work on shoulders also Shoulder squeezes done very slowly and releasing slowly, wall climbs (standing next to wall or doorway, one hand/arm at a time, crawl up the wall), have him bring one arm out straight and bring it right under chin, using the opposite arm to push into the arm as the arm pushes into the hand. This last one in particular helps with ROM.I’m not sure his fitness level or how serious the DDD is, so my suggestions are only that.

For his back, have him bring one knee into chest with the other knee bent and on the floor. Then have him straighten out the bent knee leg, reaching through the heel. Work on Tadasana and any postural issues he has. He can stand next to a wall about a foot away and bringing his arms in front, have him press his hands into the wall, like a push up. He can do the same bent over a 90 degrees to work on flexion.

Just a few suggestions. I know more will offer their insight also. Take care friend!

#6

My father has spondylitis. Although he is taking ayurvedic medicines, when the pain comes its my Reiki that works.
Reiki is very good for psychosomatic diseases like spondylitis, migrane,degenerative disc diseases, IBS etc…
Yes… they are psychosomatic diseases.

#7

[QUOTE=Shivoham;47850]My father has spondylitis. Although he is taking ayurvedic medicines, when the pain comes its my Reiki that works.
Reiki is very good for psychosomatic diseases like spondylitis, migrane,degenerative disc diseases, IBS etc…
Yes… they are psychosomatic diseases.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I agree with you.

Since I posted this I managed to find a good Iyengar yoga teacher (*I hope) with 35 yrs expereince giving classes in his area. I arranged for my father to speak to her and he has since agreed to give it a go! He is going to one of her classes next week!

I am very excited, it’s too late to cure the DDD but it might just give him a better quality of life.

Thanks for your Reiki suggestion, one step at a time…for now just a bit of yoga, later Reiki! :wink:

#8

I hope all goes well…xx

#9

You’ll find some teachers in Bloemfontein here:

http://www.ytf.co.za/section/province/free-state/

The YTF is an umbrella fellowship that accredits teachers in SA. The teachers on their site is usually very good and compassionate.

Good luck.

#10

[QUOTE=Pandara;47948]You’ll find some teachers in Bloemfontein here:

http://www.ytf.co.za/section/province/free-state/

The YTF is an umbrella fellowship that accredits teachers in SA. The teachers on their site is usually very good and compassionate.

Good luck.[/QUOTE]

Thanks Pandara I was hoping you could help.

I contacted Ruth Carol and she is also on the list you provided, so that is good news.

My dad is going to his first class tomorrow! It’s crazy that he is actually going to do yoga!

I will let you guys know how it goes… :smiley: