Bharat Thakur - Yoga for Backache Relief

YOGA For Backache Relief YOGA For Backache Relief Bharat Thakur Copyright Bharat Thakur, 2005 Reprinted January, May 2006; September 2007 ISBN 81-8328-006-4 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and the author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nei- ther is any liability assumed for damages, if any, resulting from the use of informa- tion contained herein. Published by Wisdom Tree 4779/23, Ansari Road Darya Ganj, Delhi-110002 Ph. 23247966/67/68 Printed at Print Perfect New Delhi-110 064 Contents Introduction to Yoga Understadning Your Back Causes of Backache Developing a Preventive Lifestyle Working on the Back Introduction to Yoga P atanjali has defined asana as sthiram sukham asana which literally means, stability, a feeling of well-being.

Asanas or postures are not yoga but they are one of the most important aspects. The science of asana can be used in different ways. It can help a man to get rid of disease or remove stress. But yoga is not for disease curing or stress relief. It is a process that can change a mans way of life, though it can be used to cure man of arthritis, back pain or frozen shoulder. This science which was developed by Indian masters over hundreds of years ago works on all aspects of life.

It throws light on the philosophical aspect of life and through experimentation provides answers to questions relating to mans existence, like Who am I?, Where have I come from?, What should I do? etc. Yoga is a beautiful amalgamation. It is a physical science that can give man good health, physical well-being and freedom from disease. It is also a mental science that relaxes, reduces stress, understands the mechanism of the mind and gives mental stability. It knows the art of marrying the physical with the mental body to attain the metaphysical or spiritual body. Like any other disease, I consider back pain to be a disease because back pain makes a person go from a state of ease to a state of dis-ease.

It disturbs the day-to-day function of a man. Backache is inter-linked to all aspects of the human being the emotional body, fear body, mental body, and stress body. Backache results not only from bad posture, physical injury or bad habits, but also gets accentuated due to a mans mental condition. A stressful man will have a tendency to develop backache. A tired man may also develop back pain. Whatsoever a man experiences at the emotional and mental levels has an effect on the muscles of the body.

Stress is known to create muscular contractions and mild spasms, which may get aggravated with bad habits or lifestyle. So the whole process of yoga relaxes, strengthens and cures the root cause of the disease. We have two brains in the body. In laymans terms, one is the higher brain and the other, the lower. In scientific language, they are the CNS (central nervous system) and the PNS (peripheral nervous system). The higher brain consists of the cerebellum, the cortex, the medulla oblongata, etc.

The lower brain consists of the spine, which has 32 pairs of peripheral nerves. These peripheral nerves are spread over the body like an electric circuit regulating all the reflex functions. So the spine must be protected in every possible way because it performs many more functions than the brain. The brain is the decision-maker; the spine is the controller. The philosophy of yoga speaks about a flexible back leading to a slowing down of the aging process. A straight spine is also used for meditative purposes.

The final goal of meditation is samadhi which is nothing but a union of the three nadis (electrical wiring). The left nostril symbolises the ida nadi, the right symbolises the pingala nadi and in the spine is the most important the sushmna nadi. An important aspect of meditation is to connect the three together. This is called kundalini yoga. So maintaining the health of the back, which is directly related to the condition of the spine is important in maintaining the total functionality of the back in day-to-day life and also for reaching higher levels of meditation. Every single posture in yoga has some influence on the back.

Practising the asanas prescribed in this book will work intensely to relax, strengthen and give your back the freedom of movement that it was designed to have. Understanding Your Back T he spinal column is one of the most amazingly designed structures in Nature. It forms the centre-piece of the human body, providing strength and stability which allow man to walk upright (unique in the animal kingdom), while also offering a wide range of movement to the body in motion. The spinal column is composed of two elements the visible vertebral column composed of the vertebrae, and the spinal cord that is enclosed and protected and is made up of nerves. Backbone (the structural core) The vertebral column or backbone, extends from the base of the brain to the base of the pelvis. It is made up of 33 separate bones called vertebrae which are intricately placed, one on top of the other, and bound together by strong ligaments and spinal joints to provide both stability and flexibility to the human frame.

In between the vertebrae are flexible intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers, ensuring we safely enjoy the simplest of functions like walking, jumping or riding a bike. The spinal column is divided into five regions: Cervical: comprises of the seven topmost vertebrae. This covers the neck region and is responsible for the movement of the head. It is the most flexible part of the spine and hence most prone to injury and pain, like in cervical spondylitis. Thoracic: comprises of twelve vertebrae. These twelve vertebrae bear indentations for the twelve pairs of ribs to be attached.

Together with the ribs and the sternum (breastbone), the vertebrae form a thoracic cage that protects the internal organs. You can feel this thoracic cage move up and down as you breathe in and out. Lumbar: comprises of five vertebrae. The lumbar region is called the powerhouse of the spine, as it supports the load of the torso. Hence they develop into larger and stronger vertebrae. Sacrum: comprises of five fused vertebrae.

The sacrum, along with the two hip bones and coccyx, form the pelvic girdle (pelvis), which links the torso and the lower limbs. It supports your weight when sitting and standing. Coccyx: comprises of four fused vertebrae, although the first may be a separate piece. The coccyx forms the very base of the spine and is also referred to as the tailbone. Keeping the vertebral column intact All the vertebrae of the spine need to be held together strongly and yet in a manner as to allow flexibility of the torso. For this, three separate kinds of joints are employed: the intervertebral discs, positioned between two adjacent vertebrae form the first joint.

Apart from acting as a shock absorber, they make movement in the vertebral column possible. the entire vertebral column is bonded by two long ligaments anterior longitudinal ligament, attached to the front of the vertebral bodies and which protect the vertebral column against excessive backward bending; posterior longitudinal ligament, attached to the back of the vertebral bodies and prevents excessive separation of vertebral bodies while bending forward. the third kind of joint is the facet joint which prevents the intervertebral joints from being twisted too much or displaced forward. The rupturing or displacement of any of these joints usually results in what is known as slipped disc. Spinal cord (information super-highway) The spinal cord is a collection of nerves that arise in the brain and extend downwards, enclosed and protected within the vertebral column. Today we know that the nervous system is the most important control system of the body.