Jbigler

Has it been that long? Almost 2 years since I last posted an update?
I’ve overcome my concern about my blood pressure.

I just finished a 60-day challenge, where my target was (only) at least 3 days/week. I completed more than 30 practices (including several doubles) even though I missed almost 2 weeks with the flu. I never (maybe once?) checked my blood pressure because I didn’t feel at risk.

Yesterday, a day when I did not practice yoga, I stopped by my local pharmacy for a blood pressure check, just out of curiosity. The readings were 107/63 with a pulse of 66, and I could have rested before the test to improve the results! Not bad for an old guy who will turn 70 in 2 months.

I can’t really explain the progress. I’m careful to hydrate during class, usually with half coconut water, but I believe that it’s more a matter of my body adapting to the practice and heat/humidity (my studio is often excessive) over time.

Cheers!
John

Much has changed in the past 2 months!

First, I increased my Bikram practice and eliminated the other, more extreme Jivamukti type yoga practice. I joined in a 30/60-day challenge at my local Bikram studio — my target was 4 practices each week, plus an occasional double… skipping only the double leg raise locust posture and subbing a single leg raise.

I discovered that my abs tightened nicely and I had no hernia symptoms at all! Cured?

But, then, 2-1/2 weeks ago, I caught the flu! With horrible nearly-constant coughing spasms, you can imagine the huge stress on my abs, but the strengthened muscles held up amazingly… for at least the first week. After that, there was some puffiness when I was coughing, but only when I was coughing. Bummer.

(I’m nearly 70 and have a history of some pneumonia — I won’t miss another flu shot!)

Now that I’m over the flu, after missing yoga for almost 2 weeks, I’ve been back to 3 Bikram classes and believe that my abs have tightened up once again, already. I feel great and without hernia symptoms, even when I cough. Once again, I feel that surgery won’t be necessary. Close enough to a cure?

I’m optimistic!
John

Hi Gabrielle —
I’ve been enjoying my occlusal splint and owe you a report.

It snaps nicely into place, is comfortable and easy to use, but I have not worn it in hot yoga or at other times, other than in bed at night. I find that I sleep a little more soundly and perhaps fall asleep more quickly. There was no difficult initial adjustment. However, it’s one more thing to remember, and I still forget it some nights.

My yoga practice has become more relaxed, even in postures like standing bow, and I’m more aware of whether my teeth are together, so the need isn’t as great as it was. I still want to try the occlusal splint in class. Is it really possible to keep from clenching your teeth in rabbit? That would be the posture when I would need the device the most, I would imagine.

Recently, when I was digging out tree stumps with a mattock, I really wanted to have the occlusal splint protecting my teeth — unfortunately I wasn’t near my house and had not thought to bring it with me! And, when I traveled for a month in France, rarely spending 2 nights in the same place, I intentionally left it back home because I was afraid that I’d forget and leave it somewhere.

My dentist pointed out that the occlusal splint would keep my teeth from migrating from their current alignment. I had my teeth straightened with braces 30 years ago and don’t want to lose the benefit.

Again, thank you Gabrielle and Robert, for encouraging me to get the occlusal splint.

It’s been many months, with something of a twist, so I’m posting an update.

I continued my approx 3 days/week Bikram practice, with occasional classes at other yoga studios, for several months. My only modification to the Bikram series was substitution of a single leg lift in place of the double leg lift in the locust posture, as you suggested, Gabrielle. I had thought that the hernia was under control and that I could avoid surgery indefinitely.

However, after some months, I noticed that there was some increased weakness in the abdominal wall and a slight puffiness on the one side, just below the initial hernia site. There was also some discomfort when coughing or sneezing. That was quite discouraging, especially in view of Joe’s suggestion that an open (not laparoscopic) surgery might be required if my hernia progressed beyond the initial stages.

Awhile after that, about two months ago, I had minor dermatology surgery on the back of my neck to remove a small squamous cell site. With the initial biopsy and later surgery, my doc wanted me to keep the site bandaged for 5 weeks. I couldn’t see the location or replace bandages myself, so I stopped all yoga for the entire time. (I didn’t even do any stretching, but I did dig out several tree stumps with a mattock and did other strenuous yardwork.) And, the ab wall weakness decreased and the puffiness disappeared!

The obvious conclusion is that my earlier yoga practice aggravated my hernia condition!

In the past 2 weeks, I’ve returned to yoga — I’ve done 2 Bikram classes, 1 Jivamukti yoga class, and then 2 more Bikram classes. As before, the only mod to the Bikram series was the locust double leg lift. I thought that I could feel some weakening of the ab wall after the first 2 Bikram classes, but the puffiness didn’t return.

However, after the strenuous Jivamukti class (a special “rockasana” holiday class with holiday rock music), the ab wall weakness was worse and the puffiness returned. The class included some extreme twists, lots of updog, bound compass, bird of paradise, flying crow, headstands, several wheels, etc…. not what the doctor ordered. I tried to go easy, subbed a couple bridge in place of two wheels, but it was still too much, apparently.

The puffiness subsided after a day or two and has not returned with the 2 additional Bikram classes. Great!

But I’m concerned. I know that my earlier (primarily Bikram) yoga practice caused the weakness and puffiness, and that the 6 weeks off yoga allowed the weakness and puffiness to disappear. I don’t want to regress. I’m guessing that I’ll need to do additional mods to my Bikram practice and omit the Jivamukti fun stuff altogether. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks!

Thanks, Gabrielle, for your fast and detailed reply!

I’ve been giving each of your comments lots of thought. Your comment that surprised me the most was that my teeth should touch only when I eat! Clearly, I have a long way to go if that’s going to happen.

I’m wishing that I had pressed my dentist more about tooth wear. This time the comment about grinding my teeth came from a dental hygenist who may have been acting as a sales person, and I just brushed off the comment, without much thought at the time. Now, I’ll have to schedule a special new appointment or wait 6 months to see my dentist.

Do I grind my teeth at night? Perhaps, but I don’t feel any signs of grinding when I awake. When I’m awake, I’m aware of the clenching and perhaps some grinding when I’m nervous, anxious, or under stress… sometimes a tapping of my teeth together. I can’t imagine my teeth not touching together unless I press my tongue between my upper and lower teeth.

Bruxing. That’s a new term for me. Nice.

Yes, I understand that true yoga should not cause strain or struggle in my body, but some yoga postures, e.g., standing bow, don’t seem to happen without some strain and struggle. To me, it seems as though a relaxed version of the posture may occur after another year of practice, if I’m diligent and lucky.

I am making mental notes of what my teeth are doing. And, the inexpensive mouth guard is useful in helping me focus my attention on my teeth. But the mouth guard is inconvenient and easy to skip. Perhaps I need it most when I’m muscling power tools such as drills, grinders, saws, planes, sanders, polishers, etc. I know that I have a problem clenching my teeth then.

Of course, I searched the Forum for info before I posted this topic. I was searching under “tooth wear” and “mouth guards” and similar. I didn’t find much that would help me, so I started this new topic. Now, searching the proper term “occlusal splint,” I have found your comments about recovery from tooth extraction, etc., which are helpful.

You’ve convinced me that the potential benefits from a well-engineered occlusal splint far outweigh the costs. But, there’s also the inconvenience of another dental appointment and followup, when I’m planning a holiday! I will continue my mental notes and occasional use of the cheap sports mouth guard and, thanks to you, probably pursue the fancy dental appliance when I return.

I really do trust and appreciate all your advice!
Namaste —
John

Thanks, Joe, for the update.

I’m glad that you’re on the mend, but I’m distressed that you had a painful recovery from the surgery and are just now getting back to biking, after 6 weeks. I was hoping hernia repair would be much easier!

Was this a laparoscopic procedure or a traditional procedure with a single sliced opening? Were there any particular complications? Were you able to have both sides repaired at the same time, or only one?

Keep up your good recovery and let us know how hot yoga fits into your therapy. And, please let me (and others) know if you have any suggestions — there’s a good chance that I may still go with a surgical repair.

Wishing you a great result!
John

Hi Joe —

Thanks for your detailed reply. I’m sorry that your self-healing attempts have been so disappointing, so far. I admire your efforts and appreciate your hesitation to go under the knife.

And, thanks for the info about the Desarda technique and the Chinese herbal medicine bu zhong yi qi pian. I was unfamiliar with them, and just now read the report of the Poland study from 2005-2009 comparing Desarda with the mesh procedure. I doubt that Desarda is available here in Charleston, SC, at least not yet, but it seems to have obvious advantages. Do you have any idea what the Chinese herbal medicine is? I hope it isn’t one that requires killing of endangered species… but I’m impressed that it seems to be helpful. That’s a lot of pills! What’s the cost?

I’ll certainly pay more attention to bridge pose, to see if it helps. Normally, I do the pose only as a preliminary for wheel. Perhaps, wheel pose has similar benefits. To be honest, I have wrist issues that limit my ability to do wheel pose — perhaps you’ve given me another reason to substitute bridge instead of wheel…

And, thank you Gabrielle, for your suggestions —

I have stopped doing the double-leg locust pose. It does seem like wimping out, skipping the toughest pose in the Bikram series and substituting the single leg lift, which never gets very high if you keep your pelvic bone down as instructed. I can see that there’s much less stress on my hernia without the double-leg version — it makes a difference in my symptoms. But, I suspect that the damage has already been done — the area of weakened muscle is larger than it was initially, and I’m afraid that may be permanent.

The website I read tonight, listing an article of the World Journal of Surgery, stated that the lifetime occurrence of inguinal hernia is 27 percent for men. Apparently, there’s room for improvement in the surgical techniques, and I’m hoping that better methods will come before I need surgery.

Cheers —
John

Hi Joe and Billy —
I finally have some info on the diet supplements that Eric told me about.

It turns out that his name is Greg, not Eric, and that in addition to teaching yoga, he writes books and sells diet supplements through his website yogasteps.com or nadisaktiyoga.com. I have not purchased any of his diet supplements, and this is not an endorsement of them — this is just some info that you can research and consider.

Greg’s teaching is that you need 4 things every day: (1) an organic clay with silica, iron and magnesium, (2) a high-quality mix of powdered herbs that support immune health, (3) organic spirulina, and (4) blackstrap molasses, beets and apple in a smoothy, perhaps combined with some of the other diet supplements.

Greg believes that his regimen has been helpful, and he says his students rave about the results that they’ve been able to achieve, results that are apparently not related to hernia issues.

Greg’s own results seem to be mixed, with regard to his hernia. He had the mesh surgery done on one side, with a painful rehab period and now occasional discomfort related to the mesh pulling, and he believes that the increased stress on the other side caused the second hernia. Greg’s routine of abdominal exercises, diet supplements, athletic tape and compression exercise shorts stabilizes his hernia for a few days, but strenuous yoga activity or even sitting up for extended periods causes a flare-up of symptoms.

According to Greg, repairing fascia tissue is difficult because the “sticky fuzz” will thicken into tissue only with inactivity, and activity is needed to strengthen the muscles that hold the hernia in place. (If I understood his comments correctly.)

Greg’s yoga teaching and yoga practice are so strenuous that he has some doubts about whether he will want to continue as he’s been doing or go ahead with the mesh surgery on the second side. He also mentioned that the pulling of the mesh causes him to stand in positions that favor one side.

After this recent telephone conversation with Greg, I’m convinced that for me, or for anyone else with a strenuous yoga practice, surgery on one side would be a mistake — it causes imbalance and increased stress on the other side that will surely result in a second hernia, and perhaps joint problems. I would consider only a surgeon who would promise to repair both sides.

But, I continue to do well without surgery. I have no pain and no physical restrictions, except that I no longer play trumpet. I practice Bikram, Jivamukti, Ashtanga, Anusara, kundalini, and various vinyasa styles of yoga. And, I didn’t hesitate to haul a heavy bookcase up a flight of stairs today!

Please let me know if any of this is helpful, or if you have any questions.

Hi Billy and Joe —

Congratulations, Billy, on your successful surgery and recovery! Clearly, you have a great result. Apparently, you have been able to return to full yoga flexibility without tearing loose the mesh. Do you feel any tightness when you do extreme backbends?

One of the reasons I hesitated to get the surgery was imbalance that results from a mesh repair on only one side. Surgeons rarely repair the second side if it doesn’t have a hernia. Your earlier post indicated that you only had a hernia on one side — how did you manage to get your surgeon to do both sides… and to have both sides covered by your health insurance?

I’ve looked at the IJOY article you cited, Joe. The article may be concluding that symptoms can be reduced by yoga therapy, without effecting a full recovery or full healing. I will look at the Wall Street Journal article, but the 30 percent figure seems much higher than I would expect.

I do not consider that I have “fully recovered” from my hernia — there is still a weakness in the abdominal wall at the site of the hernia. But, the hernia doesn’t cause pain or restrict my activities — I still practice strenuous yoga, lift heavy objects, kayak, swim, bicycle, push cars when necessary, etc. I do almost everything except play my trumpet.

Joe, please let me know which asanas seem to be most helpful for you. I stopped my hernia-related exercises several months ago, and I’d like to make certain that the most beneficial asanas are included in my yoga practices. And, please keep me posted as to your progress… either with or without surgery.

John

Thanks, Gabrielle, for your reply.

I had planned to gradually increase the salt after class, as you correctly guessed… but, I was concerned about taking in too much salt. Is it hardening of the arteries that is usually the main concern? Without some guidelines from you or a physio, I decided not to go to a half teaspoon or more of sea salt after class. Was I overly cautious? You know I’m 68…

The salt from the salt shaker seemed to make little difference, and the shaker has moved from the car back to the house. So, I’ve been omitting the after-class salt altogether, the past 3 or 4 practices. I see now that I probably exaggerated the cramping. It’s unpleasant, inconvenient and a little painful, but I’ve come to expect and accept it — it doesn’t last very long, usually.

This is not a serious problem for me, and I do the Bikram series only 2 or 3 times a week, with practice of various vinyasa yoga styles on other days. I posted the thread because I wanted to learn if others had experienced such cramping. I’m really quite surprised that no one has posted a reply to say that they had!

John

Hi Billy —
That’s great that you’ve been able to practice yoga and jog without problems. Perhaps by now, you’ve had your surgery and can tell me more about that approach.

I’ve been so busy with sweaty landscaping projects and the local Spoleto festival that I went more than 2 months without any yoga practice. So, instead of continuing to strengthen muscles at the location of my hernia, the muscle wall has softened somewhat. I returned to yoga a week ago with a weekend yoga workshop and practice nearly daily, with no problems.

When at the yoga workshop, I met Eric, who is a 62-year-old hardcore fitness fanatic and yoga teacher. He explained that he had hernia surgery a year ago and had excellent results, except that the mesh apparently restricted the stretching on the repaired side and caused additional strain on the other side. Now, he has a hernia on the un-repaired side and is trying to heal it without surgery.

According to Eric, there is a new science developing about fascia tissue, and he is taking special food additives (silica/clay and some kind of acid?) to build and heal the fascia tissue that forms several layers of the abdominal wall, separating the layers of abdominal muscles. He is also using a special stretchy athletic tape to hold back any bulge to avoid further damage.

I tried to find websites that teach about building/repairing fascia tissue using food additives, etc., but without success. Perhaps you or someone else here will have more info… and, perhaps I’ll try to learn how to contact Eric to get more specifics.

Eric also mentioned that Iyengar’s Light on Yoga book has a section at the end of the book that specifies postures for curing/treating inguinal hernia. I found it at Appendix II, page 498, of my paperback copy. It’s a long list of postures, and I’ll try to test them out. And, Eric mentioned that Yogi Bhajan (kundalini yoga) has also prescribed postures or exercises — I couldn’t find those, but I’m still looking.

Please keep me informed of your progress —
John