Practicing Yoga may seem like a healthy and fulfilling exercise, but it can also lead to a variety of injuries. These injuries can range from simple sprains and strains to more serious issues such as rotator cuff tears. Knowing what these injuries are and how they can be treated can help you avoid them in the first place.
Hamstring tendonitis
Whether you are a yoga instructor, student, or just want to strengthen your hamstrings, it is important to avoid hamstring injuries. Injuries like hamstring tendonitis can be painful, but there are some simple ways to avoid them.
When you are working out, it is important to avoid overstretching. Overstretching can lead to more problems, especially if the injury is not treated properly. Instead of stretching, focus on strengthening your hamstrings. If you have been injured, your best bet is to see your doctor. This will help ensure you get relief.
While it is possible to heal your injury on your own, you may find that physical therapy helps you regain strength and mobility. A physical therapist can also break down scar tissue and help you heal.
Spinal dislocations
Using yoga to improve flexibility, balance and lung capacity is no newfangled idea. It has been around for centuries, and many of today’s fitness buffs have found that yoga is more effective than they initially thought.
However, it is not just the practitioners who are having issues. In fact, a recent study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine reveals that older yogis are more prone to suffering from injuries than younger practitioners.
Despite this, a well thought out plan can ensure a healthy yoga practice, with minimal risk to the body. The key is to tuck your pelvis under your spine. This will prevent your lower back from getting strained.
Rotator cuff tears
Getting a rotator cuff tear is a painful experience. However, there are a few yoga poses to help you heal the cuff. These exercises can improve your mobility and help your rotator cuff heal in a shorter period of time.
One of the best yoga exercises for rotator cuffs is the downward facing dog. It requires you to lie on your side with your elbows bent at a 90 degree angle. You then raise your arms out to the sides.
Another good exercise for rotator cuffs is a variation of the downward facing dog. In this variation, you place your palms on a wall. You then raise your chest and shoulders off the mat.
Spinal strains
Despite the many benefits of yoga, there are also risks. Some yoga practices can lead to spinal strains and injuries.
Typically, yoga injuries are not serious. However, they can be caused by bad form. A common example of this is overstretching the hamstrings during a forward bend.
If you are suffering from back pain, you should consult with your doctor before beginning yoga. He or she can provide you with tips for safely performing yoga. Yoga can also be beneficial to people with spinal cord injuries, reducing the effects of inflammation.
A study on the efficacy of yoga as a therapy for back pain found that yoga is effective against nonspecific spinal pain. The study did not look at long-term follow-up. However, the participants reported clinically significant improvements in pain, depression, and pain medication.
Spinal sprains
Several studies have shown that yoga can cause lower back injuries. Usually, these injuries are caused by incorrect form and poor muscle alignment. These injuries can range from mild to severe.
Some yoga poses can cause sprains and muscle strains. The most common injuries are in the lower back. The ligaments that connect the vertebral bodies are often torn. This is why it is important to learn proper form. Also, avoid jerking movements. If you have a back injury, it is important to rest to prevent further damage.
Depending on your symptoms, you may want to seek the advice of an orthopaedic surgeon. However, if you are just suffering from acute muscle pain, you can try massage to relax your muscles. You can also apply ice to reduce swelling and soreness.
Spinal fractures
Having a spinal fracture can affect your quality of life. It can also lead to chronic pain and other physical problems. This type of injury is more common among women, especially those who are postmenopausal.
Yoga poses put pressure on the spine. Some are considered to be unsafe and others can be very beneficial. Those who are prone to fractures should avoid these exercises.
The best postures are those that do not put pressure on the vertebra. Depending on your age, your health, and your level of fitness, you may be able to safely perform yoga. But if you have osteoporosis, you may want to avoid yoga