Yogic Cure for Neck Pain
taken from
IndiaDivine.org
Published on 05/01/2011
Cervical spondylitis is a disease of the neck bones
and it is very common these days. The main symptoms are: the patient complaints
of pain in the neck, head, shoulders and upper stomach, along with heaviness,
giddiness on bending.
Reasons for neck pain: Our neck has sevenbones. The
vertebrae are placed one above the other and there is a specific gap between
these. This gap reduces due to ageing, some injury, bone related diseases,
enlargement of bones or other reasons. This lays extra pressure on the tissues
lying in that area and gives birth to this disease. Cervical spondylitis causes
the patient to experience pain and is mainly due to working continuously for
long hours in a stressed environment.
Yogic cure for neck pain: The asanas, which involve
backward movements are beneficial. Practice Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana,
Dhanurasana, Suptavajrasana, Gomukhasana, Ardhamatysendrasana, Ushtrasana,
Matsyasana and Chakrasana for relief from neck pain.
Deep and rhythmic breathing should be practiced
regularly. Nadi shodhan, Ujjayi pranayam and light exercises are very beneficial
in cases of neck and waist problems.
Light exercises for the neck: Sit straight and turn
the neck towards the right and touch the right shoulder. Repeat it on the left
side. Bend the neck forward and touch the chest with the chin, and bend
backwards. Rotate the neck in circular motion after completing the neck
exercises. Keep the right palm on the right side of the head (above the ear) and
press the head towards the palm. Press the head and palm against each other to
cause a sort of vibration. Repeat on the left side. Do this four to five times
for relief. Interlock the fingers of both hands and place it on the backside of
the head. Press the head and palms against each other as mentioned above. Keep
the head and neck straight while practicing this. The vibration caused due to
this will be beneficial for the neck and for blood circulation in that
area.
Daily routine: Do not do any asana that involves
forward bending. Generally people complain of constipation due to this problem
and suffer from bowel disorder.
Nature cure: Hot-cold fomentation or infrared lamp
heat is beneficial in this case.
Tie a cloth around the neck for relief. Other cures
include mud bandage and cleaning the stomach with enema.
Immersion bath and spinal bath are special
treatments for this problem. Such patients should be kept on fruit diet for some
time followed with simple, light and easily digestible food.
Change habits: The neck not only supports our head
but its flexibility is also important. Many times we use the neck instead of our
hands – like we do some other work with hands and hang the telephone receiver or
mobile near the ear. This is a wrong habit. We tend to bend the neck forward
while reading or writing. This is not the correct posture. Use a sloppy desk to
avoid this posture and do not bend the neck. We should give rest to the neck in
between our work.
Proper rest, fomentation and collar will be helpful
in overcoming this problem in the beginning stage itself. Neck exercises should
be started under the guidance of a qualified medical practitioner and yoga
expert. Try to find out the reasons for your neck pain and begin the yoga
exercises. Also note that any type of pillow is harmful for the neck.