Yoga has become a daily activity for 20 million Americans.
The practice of Yoga no longer involves just stretching, either. From hot yoga (Bikram) to “power yoga” (derived from ashtanga yoga), you can get quite a workout using yoga poses.
Benefits described by participants typically include:
- Pain relief
- Strengthening of our muscles
- Improvement in managing anxiety and depression
But, aside from these benefits, can we use yoga for physical therapy and recovering from an injury?
In fact, in 2004 the American College of Sports Medicine noted that physical activity can increase and maintain bone density mass in children and adults, as long as the body gets enough calcium to start with.
With decreased bone mineral density, the vertebrae weaken and become vulnerable to collapse. Add poor posture to a weakened spine, and the likelihood of vertebral fracture increases.
The weight-bearing exercises of yoga therapy can address this problem.
As in traditional physical therapy, trained therapists can design an exercise program tailored to your age and flexibility that incorporates yoga poses and breathing exercises.
Benefits of Yoga in Physical Therapy
Yoga, a versatile practice, can significantly enhance physical therapy outcomes. These techniques promote focus, awareness, relaxation, and stress reduction, improving your overall well-being.
Practiced with awareness and caution under the guidance of a trained professional, yoga’s controlled movements:
- Support rehabilitation and prevent injury: Help restore flexibility, range of motion, and muscle strength.
- Alleviate muscle tightness and joint stiffness: Promotes better mobility, particularly beneficial for those recovering from injuries or living with conditions like arthritis.
- Manage pain: Reduce tension, correct muscle imbalances, and promote proper alignment, helping to alleviate discomfort.
- Aid relaxation: Yoga’s breathing techniques reduce stress levels and perceived pain.
- Improve balance and stability: Challenge proprioception and strengthen stability muscles, offering significant benefits for individuals recovering from conditions like ankle sprains or those prone to falls.
- Promotes good posture and coordination through weight-bearing poses—including arm balances, inversions and standing poses.
- Reduce inflammation and enhance stability.
- Enhances bone strength (weight bearing on a single limb)
- Improves muscles’ endurance, elasticity and stamina
- Increases blood flow to promote healing, relieve pain and decrease inflammation
Therefore, combining yoga and physical therapy can expedite your recovery process, whether you are recuperating from a sports injury or surgery.
Combining Yoga and Physical Therapy
Combining yoga and physical therapy, two potent practices, can significantly enhance the mind-body connection, contributing to overall well-being. When incorporated into your routine, yoga promotes mindfulness and self-awareness, enabling you to better understand your body’s needs.
Ultimately, yoga is a tool used by physical therapists to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.
One of our physical therapists can show you what this ancient form of exercise can do for you.
If you’re looking to get started, begin by trying these 10 yoga poses!
To avoid injury, do not try yoga without professional guidance or push yourself too zealously.
