Your Body’s Owner’s Manual for Structural Health – Part 2: The Spine

Last month, we introduced this series on Your Body’s Owner’s Manual for Structural Health, focusing on feet, legs and knees. This 3-part series walks you through the interconnectedness of our structural health, and how yoga practice can address and support structural health.

Part 2: The Spine 

Featuring Andrew Beaumont, M.D., Ph.D., and Viniyoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist

The National Institutes of Health reports that nearly 900,000 Americans undergo spine surgery annually. Common reasons for spine surgery include: neurological problems (usually related to pressure on nerves or the spinal cord); arthritis in the joints of the spine that can result in pain and structural instability of the spine; and traumatic injuries, such as falls or car accidents. 

There are a number of different types of spine surgery, but two common types are a decompression surgery, where bone or other structures are removed to free up nerves, and fusion surgeries, where bones are joined together to deal with instability. 

Getting Active After Spine Surgery

Activity after spine surgery is very important. In most situations, patients will work with physical therapy immediately after surgery and start exercises under careful guidance. After most spine surgeries, there are usually some kind of activity restrictions. It is important to follow your physician’s guidelines and what you can do and when. Sometimes people need to wear a brace after spine surgery, and this will also limit movement and certain types of exercise. Walking is an excellent exercise after all types of spine surgery. Other types of exercise should be started with physician guidance.

Yoga Can Help

Yoga is a great form of exercise after spine surgery—if done correctly. Some types of yoga might be too aggressive while recovering from spine surgery, but gentle yoga can be a useful tool. 

Yoga can specifically work back muscles in certain poses and promote spine strengthening. Sometimes muscle tightness can be a problem after spine surgery, and yoga can stretch muscles gently. Breathing exercises that are often part of yoga can also help relax muscles to make it easier to move. Science is teaching us that in order for an exercise to strengthen the stabilizing muscles of the spine, it needs to have movement in and out of a position in which the body is asymmetric or unstable. This asymmetry forces the spinal support muscles to work, and therefore get stronger. Yoga has many exercises that use this same concept.

Seek Guidance Before Starting a Yoga Practice

Any exercise after spine surgery should be done after clearance by your surgeon. Yoga can be done safely after spine surgery, but it should be taught by a yoga teacher with experience in yoga therapy or a dedicated yoga therapist. There are group classes at the 5 Koshas studio that focus on the low back. However, it might be helpful to schedule some one-on-one sessions with a yoga therapist before joining a group class to make sure your body is ready and that the group class would be appropriate. 

Any physical exercise including yoga can place strain on the back and worsen symptoms. If someone has spinal problems, it would be helpful to work with a teacher who has experience and understanding of spinal disorders, so that specific modifications to certain movements and body positions can be made to accommodate any pain or discomfort, while still making the exercise accessible. 

This is the power of Viniyoga specifically, where teachers all have extensive training in adaptation of poses and moves to accommodate any source of pain or restricted movement. It is important to speak to your teacher so they are aware of any back problems you have so that these kinds of modifications can be made.