There are specific yoga positions or exercises that can be used to relieve specific types of upper or lower back pain or strain. In general, yoga is good for back pain because it reduces stress and increases strength. Many of the positions or exercises in yoga, over time, will strengthen the muscles in the back and in the abdomen reducing back pain significantly. The spine takes much of its support from the back and abdominal muscles. In conjunction with the muscles of the spine, the back muscles and stomach muscles help the body achieve correct upright posture and mobility. When these muscles are in good shape and working in proper harmony, back pain can be significantly lessened or eliminated.
In addition to strengthening muscles much of yoga has to do with stretching and relaxation, which literally reduces stress in muscles. Yoga positions must be assumed and then held for seconds or minutes at a time. While locked in pose, some muscle groups flex, others stretch, always in balance, always in harmony – equal, opposite reactions that promote tranquility and flexibility in joints and muscles. For those who suffer lower back pain, stretching can be very important. Certain yoga positions stretch the muscles in the back of the thigh, which in turn improves the motion of the pelvis, which reduces pain and stress on the lower back. Furthermore the stretching in yoga enhances and improves blood flow, which allows more oxygen and nutrients to flow into the spinal tissues and toxins to flow out, improving the overall condition of the muscles and soft tissues of the lumbar region. Yoga trains the body to be healthy, flexible and be held in proper alignment. After a time, the practitioner of yoga develops a keener sense of body awareness. He or she becomes much more aware of the physicality of their bodies and understands more of the body’s strengths and limitations. In this way yoga improves back health by making individuals more aware of movements and actions that can affect the back in a negative way.
And finally yoga reduces mental fatigue and emotional stress and improves the state of mind and being. Improved emotional health can reduce back pain for many reasons. An improved mental state such as can be achieved through yoga, and enhanced via meditation, may not “cure” the disease or condition causing pain, but through mental discipline the person can perceive it less. Some practitioners have the ability to block out pain entirely. We have all seen examples of advanced Yogis walking over hot coals and the like. Hence, yoga helps people focus their energy on proper breathing and maintaining posture. This rhythmic and therapeutic breathing coupled with the poses has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, and therefore, much of back pain that can be related to physical strain as well as psychological and emotional factors.
For more articles on exercises, cures and relief from back pain through yoga, please browse our website.
Order the yoga ebook which is full of exercises and offering natural cure for back pain through yoga.