Yoga For Ankylosing Spondylitis – How Can Yoga Relieve Pain?

Introduction

Practicing Yoga For Ankylosing Spondylitis helps achieve flexibility and mobility, which these people lack. Ankylosing Spondylitis, also known as Bamboo spine, is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the joints, especially in the spine and sacroiliac joints. After periods of inactivity, it tends to be very serious, but exercising with Yoga can relieve pain and stiffness. People living with ankylosing spondylitis can benefit from practicing Yoga to help reduce their discomfort in daily life.

How Can Yoga Relieve Pain?

As told before, Ankylosing Spondylitis is an inflammation in the joints which causes chronic pain and stiffness. Doctor’s medication can benefit, but regularly creating joint movements can help reduce discomfort. That is where Yoga For Ankylosing Spondylitis comes into play, as the poses (asanas) in Yoga make movements in the affected area. It is proven
The more the individual suffering from AS moves, the less pain they develop.

Yoga is a type of exercise in India with several health benefits like lowering blood pressure, heart rate, etc. Studies have demonstrated that people suffering from AS have benefitted from Yoga. So, regularly exercising for six months shows that people are less susceptible to pain, disability, and depression caused by AS. As such, Yoga asanas produce a calming effect on the nervous system and benefit the active layer, which helps in pain management.

Yoga includes methods of focus and meditation practices that can help relieve pain. It can perhaps even reduce the genes associated with AS to be expressed. Moderate exercises in Yoga are very much the remedy for pain caused by AS. Yoga exercises maintain balance in the body by making it more flexible and robust. Therefore, Yoga is a handy therapy to help minimize the pain caused by AS.

Some of the ways Yoga helps in relieving AS symptoms

• Yoga can lower the possibility or severity of secondary complications due to AS.
• It can improve flexibility in the body by retaining joint mobility and alignment.
• Makes the best use of muscle functioning and muscle health.
• It can improve the management of AS symptoms.
• It improves the breathing pattern that helps you move your body better.
• Assists with self-management of pain.
• Self-efficacy is made better.
• It makes the best use of functional capacity and betters the overall quality of life.
• It can make the most effective use of joy, gratitude, and pleasure.

Some poses (asanas) for pain management for people suffering from AS

1. Balasana (Child’s pose)

This pose resembles the resting stretch of a child’s body. It relaxes and stretches the back in a mild, tender manner. Along with the neck, shoulders, arms, hips, and thighs, it extends the entire spine.

2. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)

Like Balasana, the Bridge pose stretches the spine, neck, thighs, and hip flexors. This pose is a preparatory pose for advanced bends. Additionally, it also opens up the chest, heart, and shoulders.

3. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

Cobra pose stretches the back, chest, and lungs by raising the chest off the floor while your hands are straight.

4. Locust Pose (Salabhasana)

This pose works on the lower back muscles.

5. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog Pose)

Downward Dog Pose stretches the back and assists in retaining flexibility.

6. Crescent Lunge (Ashta Chandrasana)

This tender backbend pose stretches the legs, whole spine, groin, hip flexors, and shoulders.

7. Staff Pose

This pose toughens the core, neck, and shoulders. It also betters the posture of the body.

8. Cat Cow Pose

This pose gently warms up the spine and improves the stance. We recommend it for people suffering from back
pain as this pose increases flexibility in the neck region, spine vertebrae, and shoulders.

The Takeaway

All of the above asanas or poses have proven to successfully relieve the symptoms of AS. Yoga For Ankylosing Spondylitis helps achieve physical comfort by strengthening the body and making the joints flexible. Also, Yoga helps reduce depression and anxiety. Therefore, performing Yoga helps to cope with the suffering that AS causes.

The pranayama discipline in Yoga is a convenient exercise to overcome the psychological effects of AS. A study conducted in 2012 showed that Yoga helps reduce anxiety by relaxing the mind. Since it relaxes the mind, the individual practicing it slowly becomes aware of his control over the symptoms. Therefore, a person suffering from AS will benefit from practicing Yoga. However, it requires a bit of consistency in practicing Yoga; after all, performing now and then won’t solve the issue.

Conclusion

Yoga is an ageless science we’ve been practicing since ancient times. It is a discipline to keep you physically, mentally, and spiritually fit. As such, Yoga For Ankylosing Spondylitis is proof of remedy for AS treatment besides a doctor’s medication.