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Message Board > General Yoga Discussion > Compression fracture
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Compression fracture
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| jcaimi516 |
05/02/06 at 5:23pm
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Joined: 03/13/10 |
I'm not 100% new to yoga; I had some experience with basic asanas and meditation in college...wish I'd stuck with it... Several years ago I fell and suffered a compression fracture of my T-11 vertebra. My orthopedist suggested, since I was looking for ways to remain active that I was able to pursue (weight training and long walks now being out of the question), that I try yoga "as tolerated". Now, I remember some of what I was able to do in college, and the thought of some of those positions makes me cringe! (Bending backward, as my back was when I fell, causes the most pain.) Still, I am sure there are some positions I would still be able to perform that would be beneficial. Can you give me any advice? Thanks in advance!! |
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| Jeneveve |
05/05/06 at 9:23am
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Joined: 05/27/10 |
Hi 98%! Really glad you wrote and want to return to "an old friend." Would help to know How long ago were your college-days? If the sheer memory of “some of those positions” makes you cringe -- we’ll definitely take that to heart. That’s pure intelligence of your Soul expressing itself. Imagine a small child scribbling erratic circles, round and round, using a pencil. Then the child uses a bright red marker and draws a Sun with long rays shooting out all directions, on top of the scribbles! When I focus in on your T-11 and surrounding areas, this is what I see and sense. The bright red signifies survival instinct (of the muscles that to connect to your spine, the joints, ligaments, synovial fluids and nerves around your lower lumbar region). There is understandable irritation or inflammation in this region. The scribbles indicate confused and also understandably compressed/shocked energy. Because our Body is One connected, living vessel, naturally this trauma continues to radiate out to all parts -- until the entire system is properly addressed. Are you willing to explore some gradual steps before gentle re-entry into Hatha (physical postures)?? If you’re serious about healing, I highly recommend you consider some of these options: Explore the principles of Raja Meditation, or a similar way to discipline and comfort the Mind, creatively. (I know this can be difficult, especially if there is physical discomfort. With the right meditation teacher, the experience will be a huge blessing.) THIS is medicine! Start working with the magic and power of your breath! Learn and practice Pranayama techniques, i.e. alternate nostril breathing; deep diaphragmatic breathing, etc. Introduce vibrational medicine into your Life. Qi Gong (pronounced chee gung) for instance. But make sure you don’t stand too long. You can always sit and continue the simple yet powerful movements and breath! If you don’t already -- consider taking Glucosamine/Condroitan/MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) supplements. These products are known to help lubricate the joints and aid damaged cartilage. (Talk to a trusted nutritionist or professional health care practitioner.) ______________________________________ By simply developing the quality, depth and control of your BREATH, you’ll be revitalizing those back muscles which are longing to stretch and be “fed.” Plus, all those “guys” I mentioned above that are pleading for relief. Your abdominal muscles and parasypathetic nervous system will also atone, in the process. Above all, you certainly don’t want nor need to reinforce pain into your system. You want to enforce pleasure. Underscore!!!! We can help you find an extremely gentle, therapeutic style of hatha yoga – forget the backbends! If any of these initial phases sound good to you, please write back. You might have specific questions. This is pretty generalized. May optimal health be yours. Namaste ~ Jeneveve Satya YLC Forum advisor |
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| jcaimi516 |
05/05/06 at 3:37pm
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Joined: 03/13/10 |
Thanks for the good information! A lot to process, but I'm taking it to heart. I was taking glucosamine for a while (again, on advice of my orthopedist up north - I moved out of that area 3 years ago and unfortunately don't have access to the same health care options where I live now.) and plan to start again. I'm absolutely willing to take preparatory steps and look forward to doing so - I know I'm not going to get back to college level flexibility overnight! (I graduated college in 1977 - I turned 50 yesterday! :-)) In addition to the fracture pain, I also have arthritis in my lower spine, although for me that area is less of a factor than the higher area. I liked your visualization of the stress in my back - very descriptive!! I've been doing some reading about meditation and hope there's some way I can practice proper meditation either supported or in other than the traditional sitting-upright-crosslegged position for a while, until I build up my tolerance. Sitting can be rough on me - some days I can tolerate an hour or two in a chair before I have to get up, stretch, lie down, change position or whatever. In a really bad phase, though, I might only make it 10 - 15 minutes before the pain gets too much and I have to lie down for a while. Do you have any suggestions as to how I should pursue the position aspect of meditation? I wasn't familiar with Qi Gong but I will definitely check it out! Those are my questions/concerns right now, I'll no doubt have more later... Thank you so much for your help!! |
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| Jeneveve |
05/05/06 at 7:51pm
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Joined: 05/27/10 |
Always nice to meet a fellow Taurean. Happy Birthday!!! I just turned 51 April 29th. Silly numbers. We mustn't let them fool us! The doctor you were seeing sounds like a wonderful, wise M.D. I introduced my 84 year-old father to Glucosomine- Condroitan about 6 years ago. Here is a man from the "old school" who thinks anything I'm excited about is pure bunk!! Imagine my surprise to learn he was taking it daily for 2 years before admitting it to me. He actually feels it "working" for him and continues his daily regime. This daughter was beaming. Sincerely didn't mean to over-load you with info. But ... It's time you felt better because you deserve to feel better! Perhaps it's the Taurus-Venus in me to be stubborn and to "gush over" Namaste ~ Jeneveve |
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