Yoga Therapy for Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces in the spine where
the spinal cord and nerve roots transverse. The narrowing of
these passageways results in pressure on the spinal cord and/or
nerve roots that exit the spine creating pain, numbness, tingling
and weakness. The spinal passageways can be further closed off due
to inflammation that arises after these tissues become irritated.
Central stenosis is narrowing of the central cannal where the
spinal cord travels. Lateral stenosis is the narrowing of the
openings between vertebrae where the nerve roots exit the spine.
Conditions that cause spinal stenosis include infection, tumors,
trauma, herniated disc, arthritis, thickening of ligaments and
growth of bone spurs. Spinal stenosis most commonly occurs in
older individuals as a result of vertebral and disk degeneration.
Yoga's ability to correct posture, improve vertebral alignment and
increase range of motion makes it an excellent therapy to reduce
the symptoms of spinal stenosis and curb its further progression.
With central stenosis backbends can close off the spinal canal and
must be approached with caution, backing off if symptoms are
reproduced. Forward bends open the canal diameter and will help to
reduce symptoms. For lateral stenosis, side bending and twisting
away from the painful side will open up the spaces between the
vertebrae to reduce pressure on the nerve roots and alleviate
symptoms. For both types of stenosis practice inversions to
reduce inflammation and use poses that emphasize good posture and
lengthen the spine such as mountain, staff, bound angle, downward
dog, joyful baby and wind relieving pose.
It is important to not practice any poses that reproduce or
aggravate the symptoms of stenosis as this can damage the spinal
nerves and increase inflammation.
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