Lower back pain getting worse and worse

Hello Yoga Doctor:
I hope you can help me! I have read some other comments about people’s back pain, and I too have been experiencing this since August. I’ve been practicing Bikram for just over a year now, but since August my lower back has just been getting worse and worse. This is very frustrating for me because I love doing the yoga and I always hear (even from you with your new book!) that hot yoga will help maintain a healthy spine. That’s what I want! I have to go very easy on Half Moon, I can’t do forehead to knee anymore, triangle hurts and the 2nd forehead to knee. By the time we get to the floor series I’m in much pain. No abdominals, Half Tortise, etc. What should I do? Take a break? I’m in chiropractic treatment and it’s really not getting that much better.
Thanks
Posted by Blake Yael Faison on 01/21 at 02:12 PM

Hello Blake

Something is really not right here! I wonder a few things because of the location of your pain:
1) about your core strength
2) about how well you may be handling some of the basics of your practice
3) and how effective your chiropractic care is.

It is really hard to give you an opinion without more information. I have no idea about your practice and would be very willing to help you, with your help. So if none of the following rings true, then we should just keep talking and asking questions. OK?

When it comes to core strength, it is not simply sucking in your stomach. There are perineal muscles involved. It may be that you need to see a Pilates instructor to help you develop these muscles. Although you may find no other exercise as satisfying as Hot Yoga, it can’t be doing you any good (for your spirit or your body) if you are constantly in pain. Core muscles stabilize your whole body. Your lower back muscles get supported and strengthened. Perhaps taking a break from Hot Yoga to strengthen your core muscles (if you are finding it hard to activate them) could be advisable.

Normally if I met someone who was undergoing Chiropractic treatment and doing Bikram Yoga, I would think that everything would be just about perfect. One or both aspects aren’t working for you. So perhaps a break from the Chiro could be advisable.

You are needing solutions fast. You should not be living with such background pain. If you are under a professional’s care, I assume that further tests have occurred and there is no degenerative condition causing things to get worse. If you are not sure about your health from a systemic standpoint, then please get some tests done.

Finally, if you would like help with any specific poses then please provide a little more information about what happens when you do what! Go to the Forum Home and go through the list of poses and together we can work out what is happening.

Kind regards
Gabrielle 🙂