Yoga Poses for Bulging Discs

Yoga Poses For Healing Herniated Discs

A bulging disc, herniated disc, or a slipped disc as it is most commonly called is really not a slipping or moving of the bones that make up the spinal column or the discs that cushion the spaces between the bones. The term ‘slipped disc’ is actually a misnomer as it is medically inaccurate.

What really happens is that the soft, jelly-like substance that makes up the intervertebral discs protrudes outside because of a rupture in the outer ring of the disc.

Yoga for disc bulge

The different poses (asanas) that make up yogic exercises are very different from normal exercises because they not only contract the muscles but also extend them. Rather than concentrate on big muscles that may look good but do not offer much physical strength, yoga concentrates on improving stamina and strengthening the core, helping to treat a number of physical ailments.

Some asanas for healing herniated discs are given below.

Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

Locust Pose (Shalabhasana)

Bow Pose (Dhunurasana)

Half Spinal Twist (Ardhamatsyendrasana)

Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

Side Bending Stretch (Tiryak Tadasana)

Waist Rotation (Katichakrasana)

Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)

Warrior Pose (Veerasana)

Corpse Pose (Shavasana)

All these poses are especially good for back pain and help strengthen the muscles of the spine, thus giving you good posture. A good posture is very important in preventing future recurrences of a slipped disc.

Tips:

Although some of these poses are not very difficult, others put tremendous strain on the muscles of the back. It is therefore advised that people who already have herniated discs approach a yoga instructor who is experienced in dealing with people who have such problems.

If you cannot go for formal training, it is always best to start with the simplest exercises and take things slowly. One of the tenants of yoga is that you never push your body beyond its limit and instead concentrate on doing what it is able to do. Over time, the body gets stronger doing simple exercises, so that you can move on to more difficult ones. In fact, most of the difficult ones take months of practice to master.

There are a number of other poses that are also equally beneficial, but put a lot of flexion on the spine. While this is good in keeping the spine strong while being supple, it is really not recommended that anyone with a herniated disc do these poses as there is a possibility that it may worsen the condition.