Does anyone have specific recommendations for specific yoga poses to help lower back pain? Not just general back pain but I think I actually pulled something. Should I attempt to do yoga to help this or just wait until it feels better?
I have been practicing yoga for a year and a half from a free yoga teacher at my university.
first you need to find out exactly what is wrong with your back and why it is hurting…only then can a teacher give advice about which asanas to do to improve the situation.
There are, of course, specific ways to use both asana and Yoga for therapeutic issues - low back pain included. However, as is alluded to above, the first step is assessment. When there is no assessment AND a subsequent “remedy”, “protocol”, or suggestion is offered, those things are not only guesswork but can actually add to the issue rather than relieve it.
Low back pain is an incredibly general term. It dos not outline whether the pain is sharp or dull, whether it is ongoing or periodic, whether it is worse in the morning or evening, whether is it better when hot or cold, nor does it cover the symptomology that may go along with it … not to mention the person, their lifestyle, nutrition, work, age, and level of fitness.
Yes, there are ways in which you can use Yoga to ease back pain. But as InnerAthlete mentioned, there are a lot of factors that need to be taken into consideration when it comes to back pain and Yoga.
Thank you for all the responses. Upon reflection I realize that it was a very general question. I was just in a lot of pain and feeling desperate. Still not sure what was causing it but I know I need to figure out this root before attempting to deal with the problem.
Hi Supmjay,
I hope you don’t feel discouraged by your responses so far. Dealing with complex issues like this is tough over the internet. Fortunately people here are happy to help if you can be a little more specific.
A couple of thoughts, all of which you should run by a professional in real life.
The first is to open and strengthen together to avoid destabilization. Also, note that just releasing the back body will not solve all your problems. To cultivate a healthy spine be wary that you never go too far in one direction. As for asana, don’t be above props. As a practitioner capable of vrischikasana I still mix in props such as a chair for ams. I find that practicing ums this way provides release and articulation that I can’t always find unsupported. When in doubt raise the floor because the spine is paramount. Lastly, learn about the three platforms, the pelvic and the thoracic wheels.
Whenever I do a fold I try to breathe into my back it seems to support the lower back imho
Cheers
As long as I do yoga three times a week, I’m able to escape the lower back pain that bothered me for many years.
I visited a physiotherapist a couple of times. Not the type that gives massages, but one that gives you physical excercises that you can use to help yourself. The therapist told me why I was in pain. I could never have guessed why myself, - not flexible enough on the front of my thighs, not strong enough on the sides of my abdomen. (I don’t know the English names of muscles), - and that I should tilt my pelvis forward to avoid squeezing the lower back nerves. All my back problems were caused by the front of my body.
(this is my case, not a general problem. I just mentioned it as an example of how difficult it can be to understand why a specific part of the body hurts. Often the problem is located in other parts of the body)
Once I knew, I could use my yoga practice to remedy the issues. It took time before it got better, but it did, and that has made my life a lot better. But still I need to maintain the practice, - three days without yoga, and the pain returns. Always.
The nature of your pain is something you need a professional to assess, but I wish you luck. And hopefully you will find a solution.
I definately wouldnt do yoga if i thought i pulle a muscle. I pulled something in my back and i had to stay off the matt several wks. When i started back it was very slow. Im fine now. I have other back problems including disk degeneration. Sleep was very difficult and a night didnt go by that i would have to get out of bed several times to get relief. I have been doing yoga religiously for about six months my back feels so much better, basically pain free. Im very thankful. Anyway thats my experience. I wish you the best and hope you find healing for your bp
Remember that fat acts like lubricant for joints.
I used curcumin for my stiffness, I don’t know if its placebo but when starting using coconut oil , oil pulling and eating 1 tsp before breakfast. I think it works better than curcuming (forgot to take curcumin cause stiffness was not there). So now I combine both of them.
Maybe eating this will help one recover faster due to the anti inflammatory properties. But remember because it works for me does not necessarily means it works for every one.
I think it depends on how debilitating the injury is a little ache or pain does not mean no practice for me I just back off a little in the depth of my poses imho
Cheers
Thank you for all the responses! They have all been very helpful :).
My back pain has improved and I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I have increased my practice. I don’t push myself too hard but I do practice regularly now.