Guest guest Report post Posted December 13, 2004 I am wondering if there is anyone out there who may have had back surgery and has been able to do yoga after surgery. Last week I had surgery on my lower back, L5 disk to be exact. The disk was bulging into my spine creating torturious pain down my left leg and numbness to my left foot. Since the surgery the pain is gone but I still have some numbness in my left foot. I am hoping to start my practice sooner rather than later. Does anyone have suggested postures for a yogi recovering from back surgery? Are there postures I should avoid? Thanks for in advance for your help. Peace. Joe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 26, 2004 ashtanga yoga, "desireablem4u" <desireablem4u> wrote: > > > I am wondering if there is anyone out there who may have had back > surgery and has been able to do yoga after surgery. > > Last week I had surgery on my lower back, L5 disk to be exact. > The disk was bulging into my spine creating torturious pain down my > left leg and numbness to my left foot. > > Since the surgery the pain is gone but I still have some numbness in > my left foot. > > I am hoping to start my practice sooner rather than later. > > Does anyone have suggested postures for a yogi recovering from back > surgery? > > Are there postures I should avoid? > > Thanks for in advance for your help. > > Peace. > Joe Joe - While I did not have back surgery, I also herniated a disk in my back (L4-5) several years ago. Afterwards, my therapist suggested that I find some other exercise than yoga! Overall, I'd recommend taking it very slowly when resuming yoga and listen to your body, trying not to push things but wait until you gradually regain flexibility and strength. Since I am Iyengar- trained, props would certainly help. Forward-bending poses (seated or standing) were initially hard since one tends to use the back rather than flex from the hips, especially early on to try to protect the back. Sitting on a folded up blanket for poses like paschimottanasana and breathing into the pose seemed to help me. Good luck! Larry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nicoP 0 Report post Posted September 26, 2010 joe did you ever get a response to your question - i have recently had L5/S1 surgery for the same reasons as you and am unsure as to whether certain yoga moves could potentially set me backwards have you been able to successfully undertake yoga since your surgery and have there been any restrictions? nico Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
traccy 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2011 I did not have back surgery, I also herniated a disk in my back (L4-5) several years ago. Afterwards, my therapist suggested that I find some other exercise than yoga! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carol Marden 0 Report post Posted April 11, 2011 I took Hatha yoga for about a year prior to having major back surgery. Lots of work was done in surgery. I was back to yoga in a month. I would stick with Hatha yoga to start. It gives you opportunities to rest between poses. I believe your instructor can help guide you. Remember though, you never want to get to pain. I don't recommend back bends, head or shoulder stands, any type pose that may use abs you don't have yet. If you need support when using ab muscles, put both hands behind your lower back to decrease the strain on the back muscles. Yoga is the best thing I ever did for myself, except have this surgery. I am blessed with great yogis. Good luck. Need any more help, feel free to contact me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akson 0 Report post Posted June 29, 2011 Yap buddy yoga helps much to every kind of the pain and also in the back surgery and many problems as well also.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ataia-Yoga 1 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 Thanks for sharing such an information with us. I was searching for this information. Now my all doubts are clear..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ataia-Yoga 1 Report post Posted January 25, 2013 Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Yoga is really so helpful to recover from any kind of pain. It will be helpful for you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites