Yoga for Backache

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hello All,

I have a history of back problems. But my back problem got worse this year. I have this chronic backache all the time now.

I started Bikram Yoga in August. It felt unusual but I felt better after the classes. After a month of classes, I extended it for a month. However, I noticed that I feel great when I do Bikram Yoga but, my back aches when I miss a day.

I have not practiced BY for a week and my back is killing me. I am ready to go back but, I am just wondering if I am messing my back in any way. I might be getting short term relief but this might be detrimental in the long term.

Any thoughts?

Thank you so much!!

#2

Some things in the physical body are helped by warmth and movement. Warmth and movement are not synonymous with Yoga. So the question may be whether you are having some temporary relief from warmth and movement, a question only you can answer.

Regardless of the above, we can determine from your post that you’ve found a band-aid but not a healing. Relief is nice, sometimes even required, but when mistaken for healing further distances us from the messages our body is sending, begging us to respond.

For more specific feedback the general terms you use here would have to be synthesized into specifics. “back problems” means about 20 things all with different protocols for healing (and yet all with the same protocol, to one degree or another). Also “back ache” is incredibly vague other than that something is bothersome in the back of one’s front.

Sharp, dull, periodic, constant, shooting, referring, debilitating, mild…better in the morning or evening, with warm or with cold, standing, sitting, or lying down?

I do understand this is your first post and I’d certainly love to contribute more to your healing but the handcuffs make it tough to point.

gordon

#3

Thank you for your response InnerAthelete.

I am a novice at Yoga and I don’t know the inner workings of Yoga. All I know is that this pain is killing me…!! :confused:

I sit in front of the computer for a 10 hours each weekday but I keep myself active. I play soccer, ultimate and swim.

The pain is static in the lower back. But if I try to bend forward or bend back I feel a sharp pain in the lower back.

Also, if I sit for long and then stand up. I see the lower back take its sweet own time to get its curve back.

If I go to Bikram’s right now, I am sure I will feel better after the class. But I am just wondering if this is a Yoga ache or just a detoriating condition. I was told by the instructor that my body is adjusting to the new posture and the muscles in my back are working after a long time, and so the pain.

I just needed a second opinion.

I am just worried that my Bikram Yoga center closes for the Holidays…and I have to move around town in a wheel chair!! :wink:

Thank you again!!

#4

A pain when bending forward may be a sign of spinal disc herniation. If the pain persists it is the best to visit a doctor.
For the lower back part it is recommended practicing marjarasana (cat) and bhujamgasana (cobra). Backwards bending exercises are best for problems in the back and are safe, when spinal disc herniation is existing.

#5

Hello Rohit,

The practice you’ve chosen for you is not a practice that resonates for me. So it’s difficult for me to advocate on its behalf. Some muscular ache that subsides on its own after a few days is to be expected when using muscles that have been dormant. This is the adjustment to postures.

Long periods of sitting are not at all in the best interest of back health. A standing work station may be helpful, as would a different “chair”, an ergonomic assessment, and frequent breaks. It is of course difficult to remedy a thing that comes from a choice when that choice isn’t altered. Translation: When I choose to sit and keyboard for 10 hours straight there is a physiological result/residue/consequence. It’s a tough spot when it is my source of earning a living.

Further, the mentality that something is “kiling” you is counter-productive. That which we repeat to ourselves in our thoughts becomes our reality. It is for this reason that I specifically DO NOT implant thoughts of dis-ease, harm, or diagnosis when replying to questions. You will be well, this will go away, and you need to attend to it - which you seem to be doing.

There are therapeutic applications using the tools of yoga: lifestyle, nutrition, meditation, pranayama (breath control), applied philosophy, and asana (postures). However I’ve never felt nor perceived the practice you mention as being particularly therapeutic. If however it is relieving for you, that’s lovely. But do bear in mind the difference between a band-aid and healing.

#6

I’m not sure if it is offered where you live, but Critical Alignment Therapy, which is yoga based, may be a wonderful treatment. Check some of the studios to see if Critical Alignment is offered.

#7

Thank you All for your kind replies.

Thank you InnerAlthelete for your elaborate and detailed response.

I seem to have busted my back. I went back for some Bikram Yoga and my back does not feel any better. It takes a while for me walk with a full stride after I sit for long. Sitting itself is painful. I am not too sure of the course of action I must take.

I have been here before. I have had this issue before. I don’t want to go to the doctor and do the familiar drill of X -rays and MRI’s. All reports come back as normal. All the doctor’s say the same thing…“Your back looks fine. You must have pulled something.” The question is why am I pulling my back so often? What am I doing wrong? Chiropractors were a waste of time and money.

My last resort was Yoga but, now there are so many different kinds of Yoga. It is difficult to understand which one suits me.

In the meantime, Are there any yoga poses to relieve this lower back pain? At least temporarily?

Thank you for your patient replies :slight_smile:

#8

I’m going to PM you a particular course of action.

gordon

#9

[QUOTE=rohit;67157]Hello All,

I started Bikram Yoga in August. It felt unusual but I felt better after the classes. After a month of classes, I extended it for a month. However, I noticed that I feel great when I do Bikram Yoga but, my back aches when I miss a day.
[/QUOTE]

I am not a yoga teacher so perhaps someone that is can chime in on my comments. But the above quote makes me think that perhaps a daily practice at home with poses focused on strength/stretch/posture of your abs/back, even if for just 10-15 minutes once or twice a day, would benefit you more than (or along with) the longer tough (Bikram) session with all those missing days inbetween.

#10

I would be careful if you are having that serious symptoms of pain. I have had chronic back pain for close to 10 years. It is not injury related that I am aware of, but more related to stress and scar tissue build up from heavy weight lifting. I have found that a constant Yoga routine has almost completely healed my back pain.

InnerAthlete sounds like he knows what he is talking about, I just thought I would share my experience that Yoga changed my life in helping fix my back pain. I have to go daily or almost daily to keep the pain away, but for me it is better then having pain all day!

#11

Thank you all for your prompt replies…! I am starting to look at issues related to my lifestyle which could cause back pain.

Thank you! :slight_smile:

#12

Hello All,

It’s approximately 9 months since I put my question regarding my back problem on this forum.

I am happy to let you know that I am free from back pain. I also would like to
share my experience.

Since 2006, I have always had some kind of back problems. It was never chronic but, my back was always a bit stiff. By 2009, I would hurt my back more often doing mundane stuff. Activities that were easy would just hurt my back. I started taking extra precautions but, never actively looked for reasons for my back pain. An occasional visit to the Chiropractor would help.

However, by 2011, my back pain was chronic. I started looking at other ways to treat my back. Yoga definitely helped but it never completely could take away the pain.

I also started looking at stress as factor for my back pain. As I always had a rational and logical way of looking at life, I never could comprehend that stress can cause back pain.

I had also started a home project and a small business in 2009. As I come from joint family, I was always asked to give the contracts involving my business to my Father in law. My FIN is a very passive aggressive man and I am an extremely non confrontational man. I would do anything to avoid a confrontation. To the extent that, I would even not listen to my heart or intuition.

I always knew in my heart and gut that giving the contracts to my FIN is a bad idea. But, I also knew that if I do not, then it is the end of my marriage. However, as I am a “Rational” guy and I could not find any reason on paper to not give the contracts to my FIN (Head over Heart), I gave the contracts to my FIN in Dec.

I still remember the pain in my stomach the day I was signing the document.

By April 2012, It was evident it was a bad decision. He tried to take over my business and I just lost it. I was being asked to restrain myself and be courteous when I deal with my FIN even after all that was going on. But this time, I just had other plans. I had a cold sweat and slight fever when I called him. We got into a verbal confrontation on the phone and but this time ,I did not hold back. I just let him have a piece of my mind. I knew it was over. I went to bed that night with my adrenaline running high.

The next morning… and you will not believe this…my back pain was gone. I could bend my back completely. Tying a shoelace was not a problem!!! I just could not believe this!!
I just can’t believe that stress and emotional disturbances can cause such things in your body. But most of all, I have realized that I would treasure my heart and my intuition (Heart over Head) over anything else! :slight_smile:

[B]“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.
We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” - Einstein[/B]

[B]"Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition."
Steve Jobs[/B]

Thank you very much!!

#13

Also, I do have another questions regarding deep breathing. Or maybe, I should post another thread.

My regular breathing pattern is shallow. Whenever, I take more than 10 deep breaths, I feel dizzy and light headed. I feel like I am three beers down… Is that normal?

Thank you

#14

Start pranayama and see if it helps.

#15

Any advice on the effects of Yoga (positive or negative) for sciatica pain.