Yoga Strength

Question:

Have a look at "Yoga for Wellness" by Gary Kraftsow. Just picked it up, so I can’t speak with authority, but it does have specific asana sequences for some of the conditions you describe. Namaste – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know of any special yoga postures for carpal tunnel, sciatic, and lower back?  Thanks — Free audio & video emails, greeting cards and forums Talkway – http://www.talkway.com – Talk more ways (sm)

Response:

The Journal of the American Medical Asssociation published an evaluation of an Iyengar yoga protocol for carpal tunnel which I have used and recommended to others who have benefited.  It appeared in November 1998, I believe on the 11th.  Though my memory is not infallible.  I do agree if you have all these symptoms, you need a holistic approach.  Also I recommend the yoga therapy booklets of the Himilayan Institute, available through Yoga International. Darle – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know of any special yoga postures for carpal tunnel, sciatic, and lower back?  Thanks Aura Namaste! If  one person has all three problems, then there is a good chance that they are inter-related and need to work wholistically rather than to treat each as separate or specific issues. The lower back (lumbar area) is most often associated with sciatic pain. This often can be the result of an injury to the vertebra/discs that in turn can create pressure on the nerve sheath, it is best that you consult with some experts. In other words have you seen an osteopath, chiropractor, medical doctor, and/or experienced yoga therapist/yoga teacher and what have they said? Some times when the lower back is out of balanced (say overly arched as in lordosis) then the upper back and neck may compensate and cause nerve impingements in the lower cervical region which may in turn create numbness in the hands or fingers. For symptomatic relief of CTS flexion of the wrist can be helpful that is placing some weight on the back of the wrists (palms facing up). Strain/counterstrain methods by first flexing the wrist, and then trying to straighten it while resisting the straightening motion with the opposite hand has also proven helpful for some people. There are also many other symptomatic exercises that may be helpful, but it seems to me that I would get an overall evaluation as soon as possible if I were you. In the meanwhile, I would especially pay attention to sitting and walking avoiding any excessive arching in the lower back as well as paying attention to any tilting in the lower back and attempt to maintain space and length while avoiding strain in that region. Sometimes sciatica may be caused by simple pressure on the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle and there exist stretches for that as well. I suggest also that you look for balance, openness, stress reduction, and integration in your daily life, but do not put off seeking experienced help in this matter. Worry also won’t help either. Hope it is simply just some tight muscles?

Response:

If  one person has all three problems, then there is a good chance that they are inter-related and need to work wholistically rather than to treat each as separate or specific issues.

A good point! The lower back (lumbar area) is most often associated with sciatic

A common situation would be a person who sits long hours in front of his computer [maintaining improper unhealthy body posture] and types away. This would explain both carpal tunnel trouble and the lower back… However: This often can be the result of an injury to the vertebra/discs that in turn can create pressure on the nerve sheath, it is best that you consult with some experts. In other words have you seen an osteopath, chiropractor, medical doctor, and/or experienced yoga therapist/yoga teacher and what have they said?

There can be many causes of spinal pain. I strongly second this recommendation and urge to pay a visit to a [medical] doctor to check your spine to make sure there’s nothing wrong with it that requires "professional" treatment. Once you get this cleared away, you can (a) look into your work-style to alter it to more spinal-cord-friendly, and (b) begin serious Yoga study if you choose so. To the best of my knowledge, there’s no SPECIFIC posture to address your issue – HOWEVER most of the basic asanas have something to do with aligning/exercising the spine! So any Yoga complex that you’d choose for yourself, it likely to be good for you (assuming you checked with a doctor and there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with the spine, which could prevent you from practicing asanas). As for the hand, I’ve heard recommendations like push-ups, push-ups on fingers, kukutasana, flexing/rotating/moving wrists… Don’t know for sure. Some times when the lower back is out of balanced (say overly arched as in lordosis) then the upper back and neck may compensate and cause nerve impingements in the lower cervical region which may in turn create numbness in the hands or fingers.

True, though less common… get an overall evaluation as soon as possible if I were you.

Strongly second this. — Regards, Uri <Disclaimer

Response:

Does anyone know of any special yoga postures for carpal tunnel, sciatic, and lower back?  Thanks

Aura Namaste! If  one person has all three problems, then there is a good chance that they are inter-related and need to work wholistically rather than to treat each as separate or specific issues. The lower back (lumbar area) is most often associated with sciatic pain. This often can be the result of an injury to the vertebra/discs that in turn can create pressure on the nerve sheath, it is best that you consult with some experts. In other words have you seen an osteopath, chiropractor, medical doctor, and/or experienced yoga therapist/yoga teacher and what have they said? Some times when the lower back is out of balanced (say overly arched as in lordosis) then the upper back and neck may compensate and cause nerve impingements in the lower cervical region which may in turn create numbness in the hands or fingers. For symptomatic relief of CTS flexion of the wrist can be helpful that is placing some weight on the back of the wrists (palms facing up). Strain/counterstrain methods by first flexing the wrist, and then trying to straighten it while resisting the straightening motion with the opposite hand has also proven helpful for some people. There are also many other symptomatic exercises that may be helpful, but it seems to me that I would get an overall evaluation as soon as possible if I were you. In the meanwhile, I would especially pay attention to sitting and walking avoiding any excessive arching in the lower back as well as paying attention to any tilting in the lower back and attempt to maintain space and length while avoiding strain in that region. Sometimes sciatica may be caused by simple pressure on the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle and there exist stretches for that as well. I suggest also that you look for balance, openness, stress reduction, and integration in your daily life, but do not put off seeking experienced help in this matter. Worry also won’t help either. Hope it is simply just some tight muscles?

Response:

Does anyone know of any special yoga postures for carpal tunnel, sciatic, and lower back?  Thanks — Free audio & video emails, greeting cards and forums Talkway – http://www.talkway.com – Talk more ways (sm)

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