Hot Yoga and Femoral Acetabular Impingement Syndrome

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sol2k
Participant

October 4, 2009 at 12:06 pm

Post count: 2

#1576

Hi folks!

I am reaching out to the community for some help. I have recently been diagnosed with Femoral Acetabular Impingement Syndrome (FAI) (more details at http://www.hipfai.com). My MRI also revealed some disc wearing between L6 and S1 vertebrae. It’s not as severe as to require surgery, my doctor told me that some physical therapy and appropriate exercise to strengthen the hip and the core could prevent the surgery from ever being required.

My physical therapist advised swimming as a good exercise and says that yoga should be fine. Basically, as long as it’s low impact and does not aggravate the condition it should be fine.

I have practised hot yoga before and I am willing to get back (at home or in a studio, or both) but I would like to know if/what postures I should be careful in or even avoid.

It would be also good to know what postures are designed to strengthen the hip or can be slightly modified to do so.

Given the disc wearing, I am already convinced that I should take extra care in any backward bend.

Any suggestions or similar stories?

Thanks in advance!

Sol

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

October 7, 2009 at 2:52 pm

Post count: 3048

#5596

Hi Sol

It seems as though you haven’t yet gone back to hot yoga. I would probably want to know if you are aware of particular movements that tend to exacerbate your condition and produce pain.

Without knowing exactly what kind of FAI, and without knowing your practice strengths and weaknesses it is difficult to say exactly what poses would do you harm or good.

As strength is what you need to build on, a really great starting point would be to check out some precision instructions and techniques. For example you could take a look around the forum. I know that you can definitely become a lot more flexible, but that is not really what you are looking for.

So it pays then to focus on solid alignment before depth. I would start from the ground up and make sure feet are well aligned so that will filter right up through the body. I would ensure your ‘leg lock’ is strong. I would review the blog Opening Up Your Hamstrings With Hot Yoga so that when you apply stretches they don’t strain but open and strengthen at the same time. There are principles that apply across the board in many hot yoga poses.

I am wondering what it would be like for you to go to a few classes with great awareness and as a kind of fact-finding mission. Then come back and ask some questions. You are unlikely to cause problems with a few classes and it would even let you know if it feels right for you to continue. Remember the yoga in itself will not necessarily improve your core strength without you knowing how to activate it yourself (whether consciously or unconsciously). It will help you to find out whether you are able to do that so that you have something to build on.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

sol2k
Participant

October 8, 2009 at 8:56 am

Post count: 2

#5604

Gabrielle,

Thanks so much for your kind reply!

I had not even thought about going for class or 2 and gauge the “damage”. 🙂
I am actually afraid of going until I know more about what to be wary of.

Being a guy, I always found it hard to check the ego at the door of the hot room and focus on just doing well and enough. Instead, I end up focusing on doing all and perfectly. When I struggle and fail (by not balancing properly, panting breath, over-stretch) it’s easy to become frustrated and disappointed.
When I practiced frequently, my biggest lesson (which was obviously only partially learned) was on being kind to myself. If I can’t do the posture perfectly or go as deep as I think I could/should, it’s fine… Tomorrow is another day, maybe then I will…

I will go in, go slow and proper. Hope to come back with interesting news.

BTW, the FAI areas are right in the front of the hip join, along the line drawn by the femur as it joins with the hip. I will be most curious about how it will feel during Awkward or Balancing Stick.

Thanks again!
Sol
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