If you started yoga to help treat pain, when did you notice an improvement?

[frazzled101]

I realise there's no 1 answer to this question, but I'm interested in hearing other peoples experiences.

I've started yoga with some Pilates mixed in to treat lower back pain. Only on day 25 so no improvement so far. I'm doing an online class daily, some days just 15 mins, other days 45mins.

Thanks

I think it really depends on the source of your pain. And the type of yoga.

Yoga made my lower back worse as I had facet joint pain which didn't like forward folds or back bending. Pilates was much better for me at that stage. I have gradually reintroduced yoga but it was heavily adapted.

I believe the relaxation and calm effects can have a very positive influence on pain, the more relaxed the nervous system, the less you're in high alert and sending pain signals.

But I think it's a complex one and what works for one person wouldn't work for another

I had to give up Yoga after a back injury. Pilates was better at building core strength and reducing the pain.

Very quickly but I was in a class working with a teacher one on one, not online. I’d be worried about making it worse without someone knowledge watching / helping.

I don't think online is ideal in these circumstances. I think a studio mat class so the teacher can see you clearly and adjust you would be better. And Pilates would be better than yoga.
Do you have any Pilates for Healthy Backs classes locally?
There's a difference of a quid between an in-person class and online round here.

I wouldn't risk yoga with back pain as yoga is likely to mean you hyper extend. Pilates is much better but you need it lead by a physio, not some gym bunny who has no anatomical qualifications.

Sorry when I commented I missed you saying it was online, did you practice previously, do you know your technique and alignment is decent? I'm very alignment focused to avoid injury

Yes I have practiced in person physio led Pilates for a year during 2019/20. It's tricky at the minute to be able to attend a class.

A lot of yoga positions such as downward dog, child's pose and warrior positions all formed part of my Pilates class so I think there is quite a bit of overlap.

I often had severe back problems, and since I started doing yoga or exercise in general, and regular exercise at that, the back pain has gone down continuously and is now completely gone. I think the whole thing took a good 3 to 4 months until I felt an improvement.

@caminando thank you, delighted it worked for you. I'm going to see a physio on Monday to make sure I'm on the right track.

Hi, it took about 6 weeks for hip pain to subside.

Lower back pain and heavily knotted shoulders caused by too much sitting and bad posture took quite a bit longer - several months.

But 6 years on I get no shoulder pain at all, and lower back pain only comes very, very occasionally if I've overdone it in the garden.

Yoga is magical.

@lightlypoached I'm delighted it has worked for you. I'm on day 56 of consecutive practice in the hope that it will
Pay off in the long term.