What is Spondylitis?

(November 9, 2010)

Spondylitis is one of the most common causes of back and neck pain and is essentially the result of an inflammation of the vertebral joints. The problem with detecting the condition is the fact that it develops rather under the radar and only comes to prominence once the condition has fully developed – at which time the amount of pain and suffering it causes is substantial. The pain is usually concentrated around the cervical region of the neck, shoulder and lower spine with the instances and stings of pain flowing further downwards. ‘What is spondylitis’ will defer from instance to instance because of the fact that the condition categorizes three main types. The three versions of spondylitis are: cervical spondylitis – which affects the cervical spine, causing the pain to spread towards the back of the neck; lumbar spondylitis – which causes the pain in the lumbar region; and ankylosing spondylitis- which is primarily a disease that affects the sacroiliac joints – causing stiffness in the neck, jaw, shoulders, hips and knees.
Despite the fact that yoga has been around for a number of centuries, it is only in the last few decades that it has come to global prominence and is increasingly accepted as being a very effective method of dealing with a number of health problems. Moreover, the fact that it helps develop the mind in addition to the positive effect it has on the body has seen a number of people take up the discipline with increasing vigor and commitment.
Spondylitis treatment through yoga is performed by practicing one of the many poses that help with relieving the pain that you are likely to be experiencing in your joints as well as various parts of the body. While some people rely on modern medicine such as the chemical based drugs – there is always the possibility of side effects. However, with yoga, you are unlikely to face the problem as yoga does not call for you to ingest or be treated with any kind of substance. This is not to say, however, that there are no risks with yoga as performing any of the more complex poses without the advice or instructions of a trained yoga master could see you injure yourself rather severely. There are a number of the yoga postures such as the snake pose and the fish pose that are known to have worked wonders with the ankylosing spondylitis and cervical spondylitis.

Submitted by A on November 9, 2010 at 06:25

Spondylitis is an inflammation of the vertebral joints. It is one of the causes of backache and neck pain. The pain caused due to Spondylitis starts to increase gradually. Other symptoms of Spondylitis include extreme pain and contraction in the back or the cervical region of the neck, shoulders, and the lower spine. The pain usually flows further downwards. It also becomes difficult to move the neck, shoulders, and the back.

Types Of Spondylitis

Cervical Spondylitis: Neck pain that affects the cervical spin is called Cervical Spondylitis. This pain can spread to the rear of the neck, both sides of the shoulder, collar bone, and shoulder joints. It restricts neck movement, and the arms become motionless due to weakness in muscles.

Lumbar Spondylitis: Pain in the lumbar region causes Lumbar Spondylitis.

Spondylitis Deformans: Also known as Ankylosing Spondylitis, this disease affects the sacroiliac joints, vertebral column, shoulders, and hip joints. The spine usually becomes very rigid. The knees, heels, hips, shoulders, neck, and jaw also become stiff.

The treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis includes many options such as physiotherapy, medication, and exercise. The medicines used include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Tolectin, Naprosyn and Indocin; immunosuppressant drugs such as Sulfasalazine and Methotrexate; TNF blockers and disease modifying drugs.

Though the drugs are effective in curing the pain, they are not without side effects. Therefore, many people prefer other alternatives such as therapeutic massage, acupuncture, physiotherapy, and yoga.

Yoga: Yoga has been around for thousands of years. Today, a large number of people take up yoga due to its positive effects on the mind as well as the body. Yoga does not have any side effects. Yoga poses are simple and these exercises improve your life as well as your physical and mental health. Yoga is beneficial for people of all ages. Various Asanas, or Yoga postures, provide relief to different parts of the body.

Yoga Treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Yoga is very effective in treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis. This mind-body exercise involves meditation, breathing Asanas and some physical postures.

There are many Yoga poses that help in relieving people from stiffness-related pains such as Dhanura Asana (Bow posture), Makara Asana (Fish pose), Bhujanga Asana (Snake Pose), Ardha Matsyendra Asana (Half Spinal Twist), Neti Kriya and Vajra Asana (Diamond pose). These poses remove rigidity and enhance flexibility of the joints. They also correct human body postures. For muscle relaxation, Pranayama (Breathing exercises) is very effective.

With the exercises and meditations taught in Yoga, people with Ankylosing Spondylitis will greatly improve their flexibility and breathing. Yoga will also replenish your body with the energy it needs.

Submitted by V A on March 2, 2009 at 05:16