Yoga As a Back Pain Remedy
December 8, 2009 by Scott Webster
Filed under exercises for back pain
People who suffer from back pain should definitely try yoga therapy to manage their pain. For many, yoga has proven to be a safe and effective back pain remedy.
Yoga offers many health benefits such as improving flexibility and reducing stress. When a person gets older balancing the body becomes critical, and regular practice of yoga allows a person to move comfortably and easily. Regular yoga practice involves prolonged stretching in various poses and this helps in improving muscle mass.
Yoga incorporates stretching and relaxation, which reduces tension in stress-carrying muscles. For people with lower back pain, stretching is very important. For example, stretching the hamstring muscles (in the back of the thigh) helps expand the motion in the pelvis, decreasing stress across the lower back. In addition, stretching with yoga increases blood flow, allowing nutrients to flow in, toxins to flow out, and overall nourishment of the muscles and soft tissues in the lower back.
Breathing is considered very important during the yoga poses. The goal is to have a deep, free, and rhythmic breath through the nose on both the inhale and the exhale. The quality of the breath in many ways determines the quality of the yoga practice. This will emphasize a relaxed body and encourage strong circulation.
Different styles or philosophies of yoga are available today. One of them is called Hatha yoga and it is probably the most popular form of yoga in the U.S., Hatha concentrates on relaxation, vitality and meditation and involves a gentle, slow flow of poses. For persons with back pain, a hatha yoga style is a good place to start since the focus is on gentle stretches of the muscles and learning to use breathing to relax and deal with stress.
There are other types of yoga, making it a truly equal-opportunity activity – even those with restrictions or injuries can reap the benefits. While those who desire a strenuous workout can seek out Ashtanga or power yoga classes, there are also modified versions of the practice that cater to the elderly, the pregnant, or the sick
The beauty of yoga is that a good practice is all about the individual – connecting with your own mind, your own body, and your own spirit. It may take some trial and error, but once you find the right yoga style, you’ll have discovered a lifelong friend and back pain remedy that can support you through the best and worst of times.
Back Pain and Obesity
December 1, 2009 by Scott Webster
Filed under Back Pain Causes
The conveniences in our every day life as opposed to our grandparents have many advantages but at the same time have created a way of life that can be somewhat harmful to our physical well being.
We live in one of the richest and most progressive countries in the world, but the sad thing is that many of us are very unhealthy and we have the most obese people in the world. One third of Americans are obese and the number of obese children has tripled in the past 20 years.
Being overweight or obese is a major health concern and one of the major causes of back pain. So much money and research are spent on finding the best back pain remedies.
The spine is designed to carry the body’s weight and distribute the loads encountered during rest and activity. When excess weight is carried, the spine is forced to absorb the burden, which may lead to structural compromise and intense back pain.
Physical activity, eating right and managing your weight is extremely important and needs to be taken very seriously. Overweight patients often suffer from back pain due to inactivity which worsens back symptoms and problems. People who are overweight are usually more tired, have difficulty breathing and find it hard to exercise and that is why there are appropriate levels of exercise for every age, gender, weight and physical condition.
We need to recognize the fact that our diet consists of foods that are fast and easy but are usually high in fat, sugars and starches with no nutritional value. We need to make an effort to plan ahead, spend a little more time to include fruits, vegetables and grains in our diets.
One of the top back pain remedies is to loose weight, and exercise regularly, which addresses some of the main back pain causes. The result is that you strengthen the muscles in your whole body. The health advantages are numerous just to mention a few like reducing back pain and increasing energy levels.
