Over the years, medical experts have confirmed what practitioners have known for centuries – yoga is a powerful tool for health management and pain relief. However, this exercise may cause some injuries that may put a person out of commission and force them to turn to pain relief methods. That said, many yoga practitioners may want to avoid using drugs when they experience a yoga injury.
As a result, it is often necessary for those in this situation to seek alternative pain management options that can keep their bodies healthy and strong. Doing so not only helps their physical state but also makes yoga a more spiritual and rewarding exercise for long-term practitioners. And yoga’s spiritual element is one that should not be ignored by those who want the best results from this exercise.
Yoga May Cause Some Injuries
Yoga puts a lot of pressure on a person’s body and requires a lot of careful balance and a high strength level. However, this exercise can provide many benefits when performed correctly, including better digestion, improved concentration, enhanced consciousness, and anxiety relief for those who cannot get relief from other methods. And these benefits also pair with more focused ones, such as how many use yoga to get in touch with the spiritual realm.
That said, first-time yoga practitioners may find themselves getting injured if they aren’t careful with how they move their bodies. A person may put out their back bending forward or stretching in the cat/cow pose. And even people with years of experience may find themselves getting injured if they push themselves too hard or experience any other issues with their practice.
That’s why it is so important to start slowly with yoga – trying out a few simple poses and moving to more complex ones strengthens the body and decreases the risk of injury. Working with a professional teacher is also a good choice because it stops a person from progressing too quickly and causing minor or severe injuries that may linger with a person for years after the initial impact.
If there’s some soreness or a slight strain aspirin and other types of minor pain medications may help manage some of this suffering. Some people may not respond well to these medicines, though, or may have an injury that goes beyond aspirin’s help. From there they may be tempted to try out pain-relief drugs, like opioids, to get relief. Unfortunately, this step may lead them to a tragic life of addiction.
Why Pain Relieving Drugs Should Be Avoided
Pain relief medications can significantly decrease a yoga practitioner’s suffering but can be somewhat misleading. For example, these drugs mask the symptoms of the disease and do not help the injury itself. Though relief may be a good feeling when the pain gets out of control, it is vital to manage the actual injury, which pain medications cannot do for you.
Even worse, many pain relievers use opioids and other chemicals that can be very addicting when they are misused. A single dose of this type of pain reliever isn’t likely to cause an addiction, a person’s addiction chance increases exponentially with every drug they take. Just as importantly – those who use yoga for spiritual purposes may find that drugs confuse their focus.
Avoiding these pain relievers puts a person in a somewhat challenging situation. They will have to use other care methods to relieve their pain and prevent the suffering that they may otherwise feel. And they must do this by taking careful, but proactive steps that gradually decrease a person’s suffering and make it easier for them to stay healthy and focused in this situation.
Getting Relief Without Drugs
Managing yoga injuries without drugs can be frustrating for practitioners because they likely want to use various yogic moves and exercises to stay healthy and strong. However, they may end up worsening their condition if they aren’t careful. Thankfully, there are many types of physical therapy options that can manage this pain and avoid serious complications.
For example, those with a lower back injury can use non-yogic relief methods – such as controlled stretches and even some core exercises – to strengthen their back and manage pain. An individual should choose these methods with their doctor, including a real physical therapist, to ensure that the process is performed correctly and that an individual does each exercise properly.
Other methods include mind-body therapies that work to provide you with a more vital mental state while recovering from a yoga injury. Often, this pain’s distraction can cause a person to focus on it intensely and make it feel worse than it is in reality. Meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other steps help manage this back pain from a psychological standpoint, decreasing further issues.
Some people may even experience relief using care methods as diverse as acupuncture, massage therapy, and other methods. This approach centers on the area where the pain originates and works outward to prevent further injury. Beyond these steps, it is also a good idea to stabilize the injured area to ensure that you don’t strain it further and cause even more suffering.
Help May Be Required
Those suffering from yoga pain should seriously consider talking to a pain management expert right away to ensure that they don’t experience any adverse side effects. These experts can work to tweak your approach and ensure that you are doing it right and without any complications.
Make sure to talk to your doctor before attempting any of these techniques. They can assess your injury’s extent and offer advice on a drug-free care option that works the best for you. It may require adjusting your treatment method to ensure that you get the best results for your yoga injuries and their ultimate recovery process.
