by kirtland » Sun Dec 26, 2010 9:26 pm
Normal Yoga apparently is not good for everyone. I thought it would be good for me, who has relatively advanced osteoarthritis for my age (63) in my spine and hips. I tried it for a few months last year and began to have more and more problems, with excruciating muscle spasms, I thought I could work through it. The physical therapist who owned the health center where I was taking the Yoga classes, finally told me that Yoga is not for everybody, and referred me to one of her physical therapists that specialized in back, hip and arthritis problems. My laymen's understanding of his explanation of the problem, and anecdotal experience is, that when I move one of my arthritic joints too far it irritates and inflames the tissue, which then tightens the surrounding muscle, which aggravates the joints more, and so on. I have been told by my other health professionals that I am expecting too much, that the problem is not with my muscles, that it with the joints and that part is going to continue to deteriorate. Which is a hard pill to swallow.
So although I need to stretch consistently, to remain mobile, it is nowhere near what is done in a Yoga class. The best thing I have found is 1/2 an hour 3 times a week on a rowing machine, along with my other exercise. It seems to be the right combination of stretching and strengthening for the back and hips, to keep me mobile and somewhat comfortable.
The good thing about the Yoga class is it got my wife doing it, and she loves it. And I got allot out of the breathing exercises. But it is not a panacea for everyone. In spite of what the Yoga zealots, believe. I wish it were. My advice is to consult with a health professional, in sports medicine, if you have joint problems.
Kirt Brown