Yoga classes in osteochondrosis

About two-thirds of people in the world periodically experienced neck pain. Most of these cases related to cervical degenerative disc disease.

What is the disease

low back pain is the General name of degenerative processes in the joints of the spine, manifested by malnutrition of the cartilage, changes its dampening properties, the growth of osteophytes (bone growths) in the area of the vertebral bodies. These phenomena can lead to a narrowing of intervertebral gaps, the infringement of spinal nerves emerging from the spinal canal. When nerves, pressure on nerve trunks pain syndrome develops.

For the treatment of osteoarthritis use of drugs – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, antispasmodics. In some cases it may be necessary surgical treatment. An important role is played by massage, heat physiotherapy, therapeutic exercise.

Scientific research on the effectiveness of yoga

One of great interest treatment of degenerative disc disease is yoga. Yoga is a practice of bodily and spiritual development that originated in ancient times in India.

There are many schools of yoga. Millions of people around the world routinely practice therapeutic yoga asanas (postures allowing to act on the physical state of certain parts of the body). Including in the Arsenal of yoga, there are asanas that can be used in osteochondromatosis lesions in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.

How effective yoga asanas against degenerative disc disease? Are there any academic work on yoga in cervical osteochondrosis? Yes, there are, and they are numerous.

So, in the magazine "PainMedicine" for November 2012, published scientific work of a research group from the University and the charité in Berlin.

we Studied the efficacy of yoga in cervical osteochondrosis and other problems of the neck, accompanied by pain syndrome. 9-week complex Iyengar yoga (a type of Hatha yoga) was used to treat 38 patients. For comparison was taken the same largest group of people who have used other Wellness programs.

It was Found that yoga significantly decreased pain, improved mobility of the neck, as well as overall quality of life.

In April 2013 in the same journal published the work of researchers from the University of Duisburg-Essen. The article studied the effectiveness of 9-week course of yoga exercises in chronic neck pain.

The Authors evaluated pain intensity, quality of life and other indicators are the participants in the experiment before the class, after the exercise program, and 12 months after termination of employment.

It was concluded that 9-week course of yoga reduces pain and improves mobility of the neck, at least for 12 months.

There are also scientific studies that showed the effectiveness of yoga when osteochondritis lesions of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Studying the medical literature concerning the issue of yoga in osteochondrosis, we can conclude that European physicians most often recommended asanas the Iyengar yoga. Iyengar is the founder of yoga school and well-known popularizer of Indian Wellness practices in Europe. Exercise Iyengar yoga is static, has few medical contraindications, and therefore very popular.

Example of curative asanas

"child's Pose" (the name in Sanskrit: balasana).

get on your knees. Sit on your heels, bringing pre-big toes together. Knees should be at hip width. Breathe out the air and lower the torso forward. Forehead abut the Mat, relaxed hands lay along the body, palms up, chest pushed forward. Relax your shoulders, stomach comfortable position on the thighs. Remain in the pose up to a few minutes.

This exercise can effectively relax the muscle complex in the area of the upper back and neck.

Thus, yoga in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is one of the most effective means of physical therapy. Yogic asanas are also useful in the treatment of lesions of the thoracic and lumbar parts of the spine.

Given the complexity of many of the exercises for beginners, it is advisable to work with an experienced instructor. In addition, before beginning any complex physical treatment is necessary to consult a doctor.