Chiropractic has a lot to do with posture, alignment of the spine and full range of motion. For this reason, if you’ve ever practiced Yoga, you might recognize that it has a lot in common with Chiropractic. Essentially, yoga is about creating balance in the body. This is achieved by developing both strength and flexibility through the performance of poses or postures, which have specific physical benefits. Because of the interesting dynamic between Chiropractic and Yoga, in recent years several Chiropractor’s have even integrated Yoga into their practices:
“As more North Americans turn to yoga, both as a physical and spiritual activity, they may discover chiropractic care has new-found benefits. On the one hand, it may help many beginners who are more prone to injuries, such as muscle strains resulting from yoga’s sometimes difficult and strenuous stretches. On the other, chiropractic and yoga can work in harmony to increase proper posture, range of motion and flexibility: all crucial elements to both practices.” – breathing.com
If you’re wondering where Yoga fits into a comprehensive approach to health and wellness that already includes Chiropractic, there is an abundance of information on the web that can help guide you. In an article from ChiroEco.com, Colette Barry, BMI , LMT, RYT and Philip Barry, DC do a great job of highlighting some of the benefits and risks of using Yoga as a complimentary modality. They explain that backbends and back extensions in yoga can be an effective way to reduce back pain as these types of actions are also a primary focus of McKenzie exercises – exercises which are often employed by patients with lumbar disc bulges or herniations. They do point out, however, that back extensions may aggravate certain back conditions, and that some people respond better to a regimen of exercises focusing on flexion of the lumbar spine rather than extension. For this reason, especially if my patients are recovering from an injury, I would always encourage them to let me know if Yoga is part of their regular routine so that we can make sure they’re not in danger of hurting themselves.
If you are interested in learning more about Yoga, you’re in luck because Asheville has a very lively Yoga community. According to ExploreAsheville.com, “Asheville is a haven for all the yogis and yoginis out there.” Visit the website, and you’ll find an entire section devoted to Yoga classes and retreats.
– Dr. Bart
