Question from Mark Coleman, Manchester:
Can I do Yoga if I have back problems?
I have had back problems in the past which have prevented me from doing some forms of exercise. Can I practice Yoga if I have back problems?
Many specialists believe that back pain is actually relieved or healed by doing proper exercises. Yoga is one such exercise which can help by relieving pain and increasing strength and flexibility. It is considered to be one of the best forms of exercise for treating back and neck pain. Practicing yoga regularly can help to strengthen the back and neck muscles which can help to heal many back problems. The other aspect of yoga is the breathing techniques which help you to relax and this can be helpful in relieving pain. If you find that you are stiff to begin with, there are many poses which can be modified to suit your flexibility levels. Doing yoga will increase the amount of movement that you can do over time. However, there are some back problems which can prevent you from doing some yoga poses. Back bends should not be performed by anyone suffering from advanced spinal stenosis and those with cervical spine disease should not practice head or shoulder stands.
