You might understandably question if it would be a good idea to practice yoga if you have been diagnosed with arthritis of the spine. However, as part of a more comprehensive treatment plan, yoga can sometimes be very helpful for alleviating pain and other symptoms. Also as your comfort level improves, you will likely be able to increase your physical activity, which in turn can provide further benefits, such as enhancing the strength of the muscles that support your spine and reducing the emotional stress of dealing with neck or back pain.
Prior to beginning any type of workout program for arthritis of the spine treatment, though, it’s always a good idea to talk with a physician. That’s because some physical activities – even yoga and other low-impact exercises – may be inappropriate for certain individuals with spinal arthritis.
Yoga Poses That May Be Useful for Arthritis of the Spine Treatment
If you’d like to give yoga a try and your physician approves, your best bet would be to seek the assistance of an experienced yoga instructor – preferably one who has experience in working with people who have neck or back pain. Here are a few basic poses they may want to ask about:
- Cat/cow
- Downward facing dog
- Legs up the wall
- Locust
In addition to maintaining proper form, it’s also essential to breathe deeply and listen to your body while practicing yoga. If you find that a certain pose or movement causes pain, you should stop immediately. But, you needn’t stop exercising completely. Your physician may encourage you to try another form of low-impact exercise, such as walking, swimming, or cycling. It will be important for you to keep moving.
Because yoga is generally viewed as a complementary therapy rather than a first-line treatment for arthritis of the spine, your physician may suggest that you practice yoga while using other conservative treatments, such as physical therapy or medications.
Surgical Treatment Options
If, despite your yoga practice, your pain seems to be getting worse instead of better, you may want to contact BEST Health System. We will explore your surgical treatment options with you to ensure the procedure you need is the most appropriate. Our minimally invasive surgery has a variety of benefits such as a smaller incision, shorter recovery time, and lower risk of complication.
If you’d like to learn more about BEST and what we offer feel free to reach out today!
