Sore back? Try yoga

I have written about yoga a number of times here. A while I posted on a yoga study – yoga and back pain.

For the record, I dated a yoga teacher some years ago and practiced it religiously for the two years we were together and for several years afterward. So I am very familiar with its practice and results. I have certainly used the relaxation techniques available from yoga breathing virtually every day of my life.

I recently had some problems with my lower back. It was stiff and painful. It also felt like I was aggravating it riding the bike. So I went to the doctor. Upon examination, she told me that at my age, I may have lost some of my flexibility, particularly in my spine. She recommended doing some yoga to see if it gave me relief.

First, some back pain facts.

WebMD says, “Back pain includes lower back pain, middle back pain, upper back pain or low back pain with sciatica. Nerve and muscular problems, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis can result in back pain.”

More than three million cases per  year are reported in the U.S. alone.

This is from the Mayo Clinic, Back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Most people have back pain at least once. Fortunately, you can take measures to prevent or relieve most back pain episodes. If prevention fails, simple home treatment and proper body mechanics often will heal your back within a few weeks and keep it functional for the long haul.”

Although I am familiar with many yoga positions, I decided to use a DVD which I bought some time ago, but always felt comfortable to me. It is one of the Peggy Cappy productions, in the Yoga for the Rest of Us series – Back Care Basics. Here is the link for it on Amazon at $8.99.

I would like to recommend this DVD to anyone who might have back pain or who simply might want to start yoga in a non-threatening way. The positions are all within reach of me, a 77 year old who hasn’t practiced a lot of yoga in years. Nonetheless, they are very effective. Ms. Cappy pays particular attention to your breath control on all positions, so you will be getting the maximum benefit from what you do as your oxygen-rich blood circulates to your muscles. I definitely got relief from my back pains from this. There is also an excellent relaxation period at the end.

As always, I welcome comments from you.

Here are some further posts I have done on yoga;

Why should I do yoga?

Are there immediate benefits to doing yoga?

Yoga stretches for cyclists

If you want to read more type Y O G A into the search box at the right.

Tony