Can and/or should you do yoga if you have disc problems?

Question

I read that yoga may help, and if it does, how does it help specifically? What pose will help? My disc problem is on my back.

Answer 1

For disc problems, try the following:

Sit in virasana, or hero posture. If you have knee problems or have tight quadriceps, sit on a block or in between thick blankets.

Interlace your fingers and raise your arms to shoulder level first, stretching them forward with your palms facing outward. Keeping the spine steady, inhale and elongate through the spine as you raise your arms from the armpits until the palms face the ceiling. Keep your neck erect, your chest expanded and your elbows straight. Make sure your head does not lean back and your body doesn't tilt forward. Breath evenly through the nose and hold up to 1 minute.

Virasana helps ease stiffness in the shoulders, neck and back, and may help with herniated disks.

Avoid doing seated forward bends, which may compress the disks. You may do uttanasana or standing forward bend. Make sure that your pelvis is tilted far enough to allow elongation of the spine, widening the disk spaces. Make sure you do not round your back.

It may be expensive, but doing one-on-one private yoga classes with a qualified yoga instructor would be advisable. Look for a teacher who has had experience working with students who have the same condition.

Answer 2

Both yoga and Pilates will help. However, you should absolutely consult your doc before trying either. Intense stretching may make your injury worse instead of helping. A good rule of thumb is, if it hurts, don't do it. It also depends on the area of the back that is troubling you, and the type of pain you're having. If it's nerve based, such as with sciatia, it is important that you protect that area when you are working. Strengthing those muscles will definitely help, especially in the long run.

Good Luck!

LilD

Answer 3

yoga will help. it causes you to stretch and loosen your back muscles.
If you are going to to yoga, dont just do the poses that you think may help your lower back. Yoga is an entire body discipline.