Many people are familiar with osteochondrosis, a spinal condition that can make life a living hell. Pain, restricted movement, and constant tension severely affect your ability to do the things you’re used to doing. Let’s discuss whether yoga can help with osteochondrosis, as well as look at some unique exercises that can help combat this chronic condition.
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a spinal condition characterized by degeneration of the intervertebral discs. This condition leads to nerve compression, causing pain and limited mobility. The main causes include sedentary lifestyle, stress, and injury. It is manifested by pain in the back, neck, or lower back. Comprehensive treatment, including exercise, meditation, and yoga, is effective in combating the condition.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The disease can occur for several reasons, among the most common are the following:
- sedentary lifestyle weakens muscles and impairs blood supply to the spine;
- excessive strain, accidents, and injuries can cause changes in the intervertebral discs;
- constant psychological tension and chronic stress affect muscle tension, contributing to the development of the disease;
- smoking, improper sitting posture, and other bad habits have a negative impact on the spine;
- excessive weight creates additional pressure on the spine, contributing to wear and tear of the intervertebral discs;
- abnormalities in metabolism can cause degeneration of the cartilage of the discs;
- heredity also plays a role in predisposition to the disease.
As the disease progresses, the intervertebral discs lose their shock-absorbing properties, becoming flat and extending beyond the spine. This process goes through several stages, from primary changes to serious deformities.
Benefits of yoga for the neck and back
Yoga for osteochondrosis is an effective and natural method of improving the condition of the neck and back. Regular and competently constructed practice has many positive effects, among which are:
- Yoga exercises are aimed at restoring the shock-absorbing functions of the discs, preventing their excessive compression.
- Poses and asanas, chosen with due regard to the peculiarities of the disease, contribute to the alignment of the spine and reduce deformities.
- Stretching exercises strengthen the muscles of the back and neck, making them more flexible and resistant to degenerative processes.
- Yoga stimulates blood circulation in problem areas, which promotes rapid tissue repair and reduces inflammation.
- The complex of asanas and exercises returns normal mobility in the neck and back, preventing their stagnation and restriction.
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Yoga provides a complex effect, preventing compensatory changes in other parts of the spine.
Who should not do the exercises?
If you decide to do yoga for the treatment or prevention of osteochondrosis, you should consult a doctor. Because, despite the obvious benefits, there may be complications. Thus, practicing yoga is contraindicated in such cases:
- mental illness;
- postoperative period;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- cardiac tachycardia, uncompensated malformations, and other severe diseases;
- gallstones;
- malignant tumors.
This is a small list of cases in which you can not practice yoga. Some of them are temporary and only a doctor can decide when you can start practicing.
Yoga for osteochondrosis
The disease runs differently, as a rule, people suffer from different parts of the spine. A person can suffer from cervical, thoracic, or lumbar osteochondrosis. Accordingly, you need to choose different exercises.
Yoga for cervical osteochondrosis
The cause of cervical spine disease is prolonged immobility and tension in this part of the body with sedentary work and lifestyle. Yoga classes for cervical osteochondrosis can significantly improve the case, but it is not worth practicing if there is acute pain. Consult your doctor and do the exercises throughout the day.
Yoga for thoracic osteochondrosis
Some sports such as weightlifting, shot put, tennis, and jumping are contraindicated in thoracic osteochondrosis. Yoga classes favorably affect the course of the disease and can prevent it.
Yoga for lumbar osteochondrosis
With pain in the lower back, yoga classes are useful and will help to gradually get rid of them. Exercises are aimed at strengthening the muscle corset. There are several stages of development of this disease, and at different periods of the disease, the doctor prescribes a certain treatment. It should be carried out in a complex and yoga exercises can be important for the prevention and treatment of this disease.
Prophylaxis to prevent osteochondrosis
When the first signs of the disease appear, it is important to pay attention to two aspects: optimal weight and sports activities. It is necessary to adjust the dietary regimen so that it is not too caloric, and give preference to slow carbohydrates and proteins. It should also be taken into account that not all sports are suitable for osteochondrosis. Doctors recommend giving preference to yoga, Pilates, and stretching.
5 simple exercises for the neck
To understand whether yoga is suitable for you and whether you like these classes, here are some simple exercises:
- Head turns. Slow head turns to the right and left will help stretch your neck muscles.
- Forward and backward head tilts. Smooth head tilts will help improve neck flexibility.
- Make gentle circular movements of the head to relax the neck muscles.
- Neck massage. Gentle massage movements improve circulation and relieve tension.
- Dove exercise. Sit on the floor with your legs crossed and slowly lean forward, stretching your neck and back.
Yoga for the neck with osteochondrosis is only the beginning of the warm-up. By putting together the right set of exercises to prevent the type of disease you suffer from, you can find the right way to restore your health.
