PRACTICING YOGA TO MANAGE YOUR CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

Cervical Spondylosis is commonly an age related debilitating painful condition of the neck. It is also aggravated by stress, injuries, work related occupational hazards, like repetitive heavy lifting, long hours of sitting at work or home, improper posture and lack of exercise.

Due to the advent of computer and change in work life balance, cervical spondylosis is affecting people in younger and younger age groups. AVN Arogya provides Yoga for Cervical Spondylosis Back Pain.

While allopathic medicine gives us the most effective scientific diagnosis and prognosis, it is not an end all cure for cervical spondylosis. Excessive use of pain killers is detrimental to the gastro-intestinal system, and our overall health and well being as well. It is therefore very important that you take things in your own hands and explore alternate systems of healing. Age old Indian wellness practices of Ayurveda and Yoga are most suitable to achieve long term health and wellness with no side effects.

You should identify a good yoga practitioner who can guide you through the various asanas and routines, while coordinating your breathing accordingly. This is the beauty of yoga for cervical spondylosis – it seeks to bring harmony and coordination between exercise and breath, which is most important to bring about a harmonious synergy and peace in the body and mind.

Under the guidance of a trained yoga practitioner you should practice the following asanas:

• Surya Namaskara
• Fish Pose – Matsyasana
• Cobra or Snake Pose – Bhujangasana
• Crocodile Pose – Makarasana
• Baby/ Infant Pose – Baaalasana
• Half Boat Pose – Nowgasana
• Cat Pose – Vidalasana

If you practice these asanas systematically and regularly you will notice a strengthening of the body, flexibility – especially flexibility of the entire vertebral column by releasing the compression of the spinal nerves, which has direct impact on relieving neck and back pain, helping to release stress and strain, activating the nervous system.

There are also some very simple and good exercises you must do as you spend a lot of time in front of computers at work or TV at home.

• Sit in any comfortable position keeping your back and head straight.While inhaling slowly bring your neck backwards and while exhaling go back to straight posture.
• Place your palm on your forehead and try to push your head forward with the palm resisting. Do the same with the back of your head and both sides of the head and also under your chin trying to push down. . As you push hold for 10 counts and repeat as many times as you are comfortable.
• In the same position flex your neck by turning your head as far as you can to the right, then left and up and down.
• While standing in an erect position, raise both hands to the ceiling stretching from toes to finger tips.
• Rotate your shoulders forwards and backwards to release stress in the upper shoulder.

Yoga is one of the most holistic solutions for cervical spondylosis and many other ailments as it is free of any side effects and if practiced properly and regularly has long term benefits. As with all practices you should be careful not to overdo and gradually benefit from it. Health is wealth – enjoy it!!