If you are reading this, it means that you too are suffering from back pains. If that’s true, you’ve come to the right place. Are you aware of the number of people suffering from back pain every single day? If not, let me tell you this.
More than 85% of the world is suffering from back pains at one point in their lives, which is really a lot of people. Some of them suffer from acute (short-termed) back pain, but in most of those people, the pain develops and becomes chronic (long-termed).
Now there are many forms of back pain caused by many different conditions. However, the most common condition for people complaining are lower back pains along with all its types, including sciatica.
Lower back pain can be caused by herniated disc, muscle strains, etc. But one of the most common causes for lower back pain is sciatica.
Sciatica, as the name itself implies, is a condition where the sciatic nerve (the longest nerve that goes from our brain, spine, lower back, buttocks and all the way down to the feet) is irritated or pressured by something.
This is a condition that can be either acute or chronic, and that many people experience in their life.
Looking back at the progress of all the people who suffer from these conditions, the conclusion is that traditional every day medicine hasn’t really helped a lot in providing a long-time solution and a long-termed relief.
That’s why there are some other alternative techniques, such as yoga, that you can corporate in your treatment and manage to find a relief.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is a word used to describe the mental, physical and spiritual disciplines with an Indian origin. It is a school within the Hindu philosophy of life. Yoga has been used for spiritual or physical wellness for centuries.
Nowadays, it is considered as an alternative solution (apart from all the traditional medical ones) for many body conditions and chronic pains.
Why Should Yoga Be Used for Lower Back Pain and Sciatica?
When it comes to practicing yoga for lower back pain and sciatica, there have been numerous pros and cons. However, there have been many recent studies which showed that from all people suffering from lower back pains or sciatica, those who did yoga showed significantly better results in improving.
The reason why this is likely to be true, is because many regular exercises and stretches that are usually recommended to people suffering from these two conditions, lack the deep breathing and the relaxation that your body needs. So yoga will allow relaxation and peace of mind, as well as stretching and strength.
What differs yoga from other types of exercises and programs is that apart from all the physical benefits, it also gives you an emotional improvement and stability. Emotional support is as much (if not more) important as physical, because the pain also affects the emotional and mental health.
So, if your emotional state is unwell, this can be another trigger for your pains. Your mind is a powerful thing and it’s your job to train it so that it can defeat the pain.
Yoga is first when it comes to regaining flexibility, muscle strength, endurance and setting your mind right. Coincidence or not, these are exactly the things that people with lower back pains and sciatica desperately need. We can see from here that the whole yoga connection with these two conditions really makes sense.
Best Yoga for Lower Back Pain and Sciatica
Bending backwards
Bend backwards with your spine and try to feel the length of the spine while doing this. If you suffer from sciatica, you might not be able to go as down backwards as you need. However, bend backward only as far as you can. Stop if you feel any pain.
– Salabhasana (Pose Locust)
– Anjaneyasana (Pose Crescent Lunge)
– Bhujanghasana (Pose Cobra)
Twisting the lower back
Be careful with this exercise and always try to do it slowly. And if you suffer from a herniated (ruptured) disc, this yoga exercise might not be suitable for you. When twisting, always use your muscles without the help with from your hands. Stop if you feel pain.
– Pasasana (Pose Noose)
– ArdhaMatsyendrasana (Pose Half Lord of the Fishes)
– Bharadvajasana I (Pose Bharadvaja’s Twist)
Exercise You SHOULD NOT DO if you suffer from Lower Back Pain and Sciatica is FORWARD BENDING!!! This exercise (no matter how you do it, sitting, standing, etc.) usually worsens the pain and the condition of sciatica and lower back pain.
