Yoga Asanas For Crooked Spine

By Patricia | April 16, 2009
Yoga Poses For Crooked Spine

Yoga Poses For Crooked Spine Or Pelvis: Is it possible for Yoga to help straighten my crooked pelvis?

There are 24 vertebrae present in our spinal column. Running along the spine’s center and under the protection of the bone is the spinal cord that consists of billions of nerves. There are nerves emerging between each vertebra, and they lead to the tendons, ligaments, muscles, internal organs, and other body parts that maintain the body’s functioning. There is a relationship between the spines alignment and the nerve systems health, particularly the organs and tissues that are connected to the nerves in the spine. It is through the nervous system that the different body parts and brain maintain communication. A crooked or misaligned spine will hamper the functioning of the nervous system that emanates from the body part. For instance, if that nerve is connected to the stomach, the misaligned or crooked spine will bring a disease to the stomach, and there may be the aching of vital organs.

A crooked spine is medically known as scoliosis, in which the backbone or spine is abnormally curved. There are normal curves to the spine when it is looked at from the side. However, when it is looked at from the front, it should be straight. The curve in a forward bent spine when seen from the side is known as kyphosis and the backward bent spine when seen from the side is called lordosis. There is the development of more curves to each side with individuals suffering from scoliosis, and the spine’s bones are twisted upon each other like a cork screw. Scoliosis is twice as common in girls as it is in boys. It can affect people of any age, but it usually affects those over the age of 10. It is also known to be hereditary, which means that there is a greater chance of individuals who suffer from scoliosis to get children with scoliosis. If the individual is less than the age of three, it is known as juvenile idiopathic scoliosis and for the ones over the age of 10 it is called adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Symptoms

One of the most common crooked spine symptoms in adults and children is the curvature of the spine that is abnormal. Usually, this is a change that is mild and may be observed first by a family member or friend. It can also be detected in the usual school screening examination. Individuals who are affected by it may notice that the fitting of their clothes may not be how it was or that one of the pant legs is longer on one side. The head may also be caused by the crooked spine to appear off center or one shoulder or hip to be at a higher level than the other one. If the severity of scoliosis is greater, the functioning of the lungs and heart could be made more difficult. This can bring about chest pain and shortness of breath. There is no pain in most of the scoliosis cases. However, there are some kinds of scoliosis that can bring about back pain.

Treatment

Crooked spine treatment will depend on how severe the condition is and whether there’s a chance of it worsening. There are certain kinds of scoliosis in which the chances of it becoming worse are greater, so it will be useful to determine the type of scoliosis to provide the proper treatment. The treatment of a spine that is crooked comes in three categories: observation, bracing, and surgery. An abnormality found somewhere else in the body causes functional scoliosis. Treatment is given for this kind of scoliosis by treating that abnormality, like when there is a difference in the length of the legs. Direct treatment is not given for the spine, as the spine is considered to be normal in these individuals. Development of the spines bones in an abnormal manner causes neuromuscular scoliosis. There is a very high chance of the condition becoming worse in this type of scoliosis. Bracing and observation are not usually effective for individuals with this kind of scoliosis. Surgery will mostly be required for individuals who suffer from this kind of scoliosis to fix the bent spine and prevent it from becoming worse.

Crooked Pelvis Joint- Stiff Neck

The hips and pelvis are considered to be the foundation of the whole skeletal system. A crooked pelvis joint and hip can cause a tightness and back and shoulder pain, which can also reach the hamstrings. Poor posture, muscle imbalances, injuries, and accidents can rotate or tilt the pelvis out of its position that is natural. Fortunately, there are many ways on how to align a bent or curved pelvis. An effective method on how to realign the pelvis and spinal cord is with yoga. There are some yoga asanas that are considered to be useful in treating scoliosis and other conditions that result in a crooked pelvic bone.

Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) is done in the standing position with the feet apart and bending and stretching to each side. Performing this pose enables the ribs to stretch and helps realign the crookedness along the spine and back. It may be necessary for you to make use of some props such as a rope that is wrapped around you and attached to a wall to give you better support. Virabhadrasana (Warrior Pose) is very effective in strengthening and stretching the muscles of the legs, pelvis, and back. You may require the aid of a doorjamb or pillar to lean against, and for support a sandbag. Ardha Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Half Handstand Pose) helps strengthen the muscles of the shoulders and arms and enables the spinal muscles to strengthen and stretch against gravity. The exercises that involve backbends help in releasing the tension in the back and arms and improve flexibility and mobility, thereby helping to fix a crooked pelvis and lower back. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose) and Bidalasana (Cat Pose) are effective yoga postures for a stiff neck. These exercises help in releasing tension in the muscles of those areas and bring about relaxation. Along with the yoga poses, it is also essential that you follow a proper diet.

There are some yoga poses which have been found to be effective in cases of scoliosis or other ailments which lead to a crooked spine or pelvis. By releasing the tension in the back muscles, they help to reduce pain and also to re-align the spine. Sometimes they are also used to elongate the spine.

Cat/Cow Pose (Marjarasana ) – This is usually the first pose that is formed and is done in the kneeling posture. It helps to loosen the muscles of the spine and the shoulders, along with those of the neck and pelvis.

Child’s Pose (Vajrasana) – This is also done in the kneeling mode, but the entire body is bent forward until the forehead touches the floor. After this, one breathes gently allowing the abdomen to expand. This pose helps to stretch and relax the spine and back muscles completely.

Three-Part Bar Stretch – This pose needs a bar, railing or sink, which you can hold on to. First you grab the bar firmly and stand straight, aligning your body. Next, you have to bend from the hips and hang backwards, pushing the buttocks in such a way that they stretch away and downwards. This helps to stretch the spine and the pelvis.

Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) – This includes standing with the feet apart, and stretching and bending from one side to another. This helps to stretch the ribs and correct imbalances and crookedness along the length of the back and pelvis. You might need to take the aid of some props like a rope attached to a wall and wrapped around the body to provide greater support.

Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana) – This is very helpful for stretching and strengthening the muscles of the back, pelvis and legs. You might need the help of a pillar or doorjamb to lean against and a sandbag to provide support.

Downward-Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana) – This is especially beneficial for strengthening the upper body, and to evenly stretch both sides of the body, thereby correcting any crookedness.

Half Handstand (Ardha Adho Mukha Vrksasana) – This handstand, by strengthening the muscles of the arms and shoulders, is the first step to learning other poses with inversions, which are especially beneficial. It also lengthens and strengthens the spinal muscles against the force of gravity.

Shoulderstand (Salamba Sarvangasana) – Sufferers of scoliosis usually have chronic tension in the shoulder and neck, and this pose helps to relieve the tension and strengthen the muscles.

Backbending Poses are helpful in releasing tension in the arms and back, and give greater mobility and flexibility, thereby aiding proper re-alignment of the back and pelvis.

Locust Pose (Salabhasana) – This is a backbend found suitable for scoliosis, since it strengthens the muscles of the hamstrings and the entire spinal column. Twists are also beneficial because they are helpful in de-rotating the spine.

Corpse Pose (Savasana)- This pose is crucial right at the end, because it aids total relaxation which in turn triggers true healing.

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