Does Yoga Help My Spine?

Yes – when performed correctly, yoga can be very beneficial for your spine.

Yoga may help:

- Improve flexibility and range of motion

- Strengthen the muscles supporting your spine

- Improve posture and balance

- Reduce muscle tension and stiffness

- Relieve certain types of neck and back discomfort

- Increase body awareness, helping you recognize movements or positions that strain your spine.

However, yoga is not automatically safe for every spinal condition. Some poses may aggravate a disc problem, arthritis, spinal stenosis, an unstable joint, or an existing injury. You should never force a stretch or continue a movement that causes sharp pain, numbness, tingling, or pain traveling into an arm or leg.

You can contact us with any questions on yoga related to your spine. The key is choosing movements that are appropriate for your particular spine – not simply doing every pose in a general yoga class.

If you have an ongoing neck or back pain, it is wise to have your spine evaluated before beginning or intensifying a yoga program. We can help you with an examination to see if and how yoga could help benefit you!