It’s an unfortunate reality, but one that’s not new to seasoned yoga practitioners!
As it turns out, despite the many benefits of yoga for physical and emotional health, the popular practice can still do a number on your bones, especially on those in your hip. According to a report by the BBC, there ‘s an increased number of patients with serious hip problems, many of whom are yoga teachers.
Stemming from the fact that they’re pushing their bodies a too hard when going into certain positions, half of these teachers now have advanced health problems. In some cases, patients require comprehensive medical treatment and even surgery, including total hip replacements.
What’s the Problem?
Muscle stiffness and soreness are quite common for anyone who takes up any form or exercise, and that includes yoga teachers.
However, the problem for them is a little different. For the layperson, joint pain and muscle stiffness are indeed a point of concern. But yoga professionals often dismiss hip, knee, and joint stiffness as a common side-effect of their practice.
What they don’t realize is that they’re making their pain worse by crossing their physical limits. And over time, this overexertion pushes their body into pain.
Dr. LaRenza Coleman, President of HealthRite states, “Yoga is all about maintaining balance, not forcing your body to follow a certain routine just because it might help you lose weight or build stamina. For yoga teachers, their body is used to the movement. But it too has a limit. If you’re not as flexible as other practitioners, and you keep repeating the same movements, there will come a time when your body will be unable to take it. Your muscles will become sore, the pain from pinched nerves will spread, and you’ll experience a lot of pain. We want to be sure that doesn’t happen.”
Treating Pain
Often, yoga practitioners experience physical discomfort because they don’t pair the practice with a complementary one. Performing yoga 5–6 days a week, working part-time on the weekends, running errands—all without any additional exercise—can explain the issues most people develop. Mixing up a routine with other fitness techniques like cross-training or cardio can not only help them improve their health, but it can also positively impact their yoga practice.
The Importance for Physiotherapy for Yoga Teachers
For those who are experiencing the initial signs of stress from their work as a yoga teacher, physiotherapy is the best option.
Specifically, a treatment known as MENS, or ‘Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation.’ This treatment utilizes acupuncture and a low level electrical current to stimulate acupuncture points. As a result, patients report a significant decrease in pain and muscle spasms. Their body functions improve, as well as their muscle and organ performance.
Ideal for patients who experience neck or back pain, sprains and strains, or vertigo among other conditions, this form of physiotherapy gives them the best response to any and all muscle and nerve problems.
Are You a Yoga Teacher?
Contact HealthRite today and book an appointment! We offer physical therapy in Houston and Katy, TX.
