Joint pain can be caused by several different injuries or conditions and be very bothersome. Stiffness and poor blood circulation caused by rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, the growth of bones spurs and degeneration of cartilage at a joint, reduce a patient's range of motion. Yoga poses help improve blood circulation in the joints by removing unwanted toxins and other waste products.
Effects
Yoga poses such as Asanas and Pranayama done in slow, controlled movements along with deep breathing, and not held for extended periods of time, can prove beneficial. According to Judith Lasater, a physical therapist and president of the California Yoga Teachers Association, for hip pain, the sacroiliac joint remains healthier when not overstretched; maintaining stability is key to staying pain free. Hyperextension during twisting and standing poses puts further stress on the area.
Significance
Performing yoga poses effectively can help cure joint pain. Lasater stresses moving the pelvis and sacrum together when performing twists in any pose. Failure to do so can ignite pain and lead to further injury; the pelvis will move forward while the sacrum remains in place. Another method when practicing twists is to use your arm against your spine. The Marichyasana III pose is an example of this; use the arm to create the torque necessary to twist instead of twisting from the spine.
Warning
Doing any yoga pose incorrectly can further strain your joints. If your sacroiliac is too painful, some exercises may be problematic; consult your physical therapist for recommended low-impact yoga poses. Even having acute sacroiliac problems can be an issue if patients try to increase stretching during Baddha Konasana and Upavistha Konasana; pushing on the knees to increase the stretch can further aggravate the pain of already stretched-out ligaments. According to Lasater, during Upavistha Konasana, If you suffer from sacroiliac pain, bring the legs closer together than usual and rest the arms and forehead on a chair in order to prevent further discomfort.
Considerations
According to YogaPoint.com, a light massage of medicated Ayurvedic herbal oil is effective, especially after application of heat. This procedure, before performing any yoga pose, allows patients to perform physical movements easier since the joints are more relaxed.
Expert Insight
Lasater says a patient should identify whether the pain comes from sacroiliac dysfunction. The most common sign is pain that exists in an area about 1/4 inch over the sacroiliac joint; the pain occurs when the sacrum slips forward or backward in relation to the ilium and is commonly felt on only one side. Another simple method is to observe whether the sacroiliac joint causes pain as you slowly sit and stand. Pain is not an accurate indicator alone since other situations mimic sacroiliac dysfunction; consult a health-care professional for confirmation.
