Yoga and back pain?

Strappie · 02-22-2011, 09:22 PM

I've had low back issues since I was a Junior in High School. My Doctor says it's a little genetic and also years of playing softball and football. Another doctor told me I had the back of a 60 yr old man when I was 3o. YIKES! But really how does he know that?? Some days it feels like I'm 80. But I also work a very physical job so trying to strengthen it seems like it will make it worse.

I have a lot of friends that do yoga and they all love it. However they don't have back issue's so I figured it wouldn't do anything for me. After hearing everyone specially Thinker. I just may have to look into this.

Thank you for the info!

Thinker · 02-22-2011, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strappie

I've had low back issues since I was a Junior in High School. My Doctor says it's a little genetic and also years of playing softball and football. Another doctor told me I had the back of a 60 yr old man when I was 3o. YIKES! But really how does he know that?? Some days it feels like I'm 80. But I also work a very physical job so trying to strengthen it seems like it will make it worse.

I have a lot of friends that do yoga and they all love it. However they don't have back issue's so I figured it wouldn't do anything for me. After hearing everyone specially Thinker. I just may have to look into this.

Thank you for the info!

While I do appreciate the core conditioning Yoga provides, more than anything else it is the lengthening of the spine that I believe makes the difference.

In addition to stretching your muscles and relieving stress, the spine-lengthening aspect of Yoga creates space between your vertebrae. Proper spinal alignment, the space between vertebrae, and strong core muscles to hold that alignment make for a TRIFECTA!!

drsassypants · 02-22-2011, 10:47 PM

Yoga RULES.

It will do more for you than you would ever think possible. Stretching, strengthening, working your body in balance. And so many things are connected in your body that back pain can be caused by other things. Yoga works your whole body, big muscles & little. I cannot say enough about what it's done for me.

BUT I would definitely be concerned, in your case, with making sure there are no underlying structural issues that need to be addressed. Also, you should start with a yoga instructor geared towards beginners & explain the problems you have to the instructor, so that modifications can be demonstrated for you. You can use the modification whenever you need to.

A good place to start for you, right now, might be by doing a few cats & cows, move with your breath (inhale = cow, exhale = cat). They stretch the spine and your front body. Plus, I've read that they can hel with sciatica by "flossing" your spinal cords. You should be able to find some videos on youtube.

Good luck, and let us know how it works out for you!

Linus · 02-23-2011, 10:08 AM

Thanks everyone for the insight. As I said in the beginning post, I was (and now am) going to a Chiro to get things checked out. And I won't do yoga until I've discussed it with him and he feels I'm at a point where I can do it.

That said, it's good to hear that it has helped many maintain their core and strengthen it. There are a few beginner's classes near us with some good deals ($30 for two weeks of unlimited yoga) so I may check those out come mid-late March.

02-22-2011, 10:47 PM	#3
drsassypants Junior Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She. Or Dr. ;-) Relationship Status: Legally Wed Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 65 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 26 Thanked 107 Times in 42 Posts Rep Power: 44157	Bendy Yoga RULES. It will do more for you than you would ever think possible. Stretching, strengthening, working your body in balance. And so many things are connected in your body that back pain can be caused by other things. Yoga works your whole body, big muscles & little. I cannot say enough about what it's done for me. BUT I would definitely be concerned, in your case, with making sure there are no underlying structural issues that need to be addressed. Also, you should start with a yoga instructor geared towards beginners & explain the problems you have to the instructor, so that modifications can be demonstrated for you. You can use the modification whenever you need to. A good place to start for you, right now, might be by doing a few cats & cows, move with your breath (inhale = cow, exhale = cat). They stretch the spine and your front body. Plus, I've read that they can hel with sciatica by "flossing" your spinal cords. You should be able to find some videos on youtube. Good luck, and let us know how it works out for you! __________________ I blog at The Verbosery Also, please take a moment to check out Busted Knuckle Photography

02-23-2011, 10:08 AM	#4
Linus The Planet's Technical Bubba How Do You Identify?: FTM Preferred Pronoun?: He/Him/Geek Relationship Status: Married to my forever! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,440 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,929 Thanked 10,727 Times in 3,172 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Thanks everyone for the insight. As I said in the beginning post, I was (and now am) going to a Chiro to get things checked out. And I won't do yoga until I've discussed it with him and he feels I'm at a point where I can do it. That said, it's good to hear that it has helped many maintain their core and strengthen it. There are a few beginner's classes near us with some good deals ($30 for two weeks of unlimited yoga) so I may check those out come mid-late March. __________________ Personal Blog \|\| [] \|\| Cigar Blog "We become Human Doings instead of Human Beings." -- Ram Dass

02-22-2011, 09:22 PM	#1
Strappie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: I know who I am... Doesn't matter Relationship Status: It's a new day.... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 3,283 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,813 Thanked 4,945 Times in 1,350 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I've had low back issues since I was a Junior in High School. My Doctor says it's a little genetic and also years of playing softball and football. Another doctor told me I had the back of a 60 yr old man when I was 3o. YIKES! But really how does he know that?? Some days it feels like I'm 80. But I also work a very physical job so trying to strengthen it seems like it will make it worse. I have a lot of friends that do yoga and they all love it. However they don't have back issue's so I figured it wouldn't do anything for me. After hearing everyone specially Thinker. I just may have to look into this. Thank you for the info!