Is it Safe to Do Yoga After Lower-back Surgery? (September 2008)

ORIGINAL QUESTION:

From Orlando Zuluaga

Hola!!!  to everyone, I hope these words find you well and happy.

I have a request for some guidance about a student that was told by her doctor to take Yoga classes after having lower back surgery 3 months ago. The idea is to take one class per week, but I have very little idea on what to do, and since this a delicate matter I am asking you to advise me on how to handle this student.

Thank you very much for your time, 
Namaste,
Orlando Zuluaga

ANSWERS:

From Trina Ford

Greetings Orlando,

It is certainly a positive that the doctor has given his blessings for your student to do yoga after surgery.  However, a lot of the medical community, I have found out over the years, has no idea what yoga is or for the most part, has never even attended a class.

I highly recommend holding off working with someone that has recently had surgery without a signed release from the doctor. I also ask my students to get a copy of their medical assessment. (Most patients will receive one if requested)  This will help you with what postures to do with them or stay away from.

Postures that are excellent for the back such as cobra and locust can also be counter-productive and/or possibly injuring to the student, if alignment is incorrect.  So suggestions are:

  • get release from doctor and talk with him or her if possible
  • are there restrictions? twisting, extension, forward bending?
  • find out what type of surgery and for what
  • private yoga sessions would be best for severe cases or small class (to give attention needed)
  • restorative
  • alignment
  • 20 part body recharging
  • meditation

I do hope this was helpful, Orlando.  Peace to you.

From Lisa Powers

I haven't had any spinal surgery, just injuries and pain, and I would like to double check on what Connie said about "tucking" or flexing the lumbar area before forward bends.

This is the opposite of what we generally do to protect the lower back. Normally we want to maintain the neutral position of the lumbar spine and not let it flex.

Bending the knees when doing any forward bend and work on opening the hips so the forward movement is achieved at the hip joints. However, tucking the tailbone is essential during any backward bends, to protect the lower spine.

Gentle movement and asana, and then be very aware of how the back feels in the next 24 hours, as it can take this long for any over-exertion to be felt.  Have the client ask their doctor specifically about what kind of movement restrictions he is placing them under.

If the client doesn't understand the terminology they should ask the doctor what he means (by extension, flexion, etc.)

From Barbara Boekelheide (AYTT 2006)

Barbara Bingham's article in the latest Summer 2008 Awake and Ready "Working With Osteoporosis and Osteopenia" is very informative about spinal issues.

She offers alternative poses that would be appropriate and safe for your student's lower back condition as well.

I would follow Barbara's recommendations for a "long and open front spine" as the safest method to teach with no forward flexion or twisting movements.

From Veena Grover

Dear Orlando,

Practicing pelvic tilt can strengthen the back,low cobra practice can be suggested as well.

Supported Pigeon Pose, keeping blanket under the hip, which knee is bending in front of the chest and relax and surrender, first lifting the chest up and then relaxing on your forearms on the floor or mat.

Tadasana, standing against the wall, arms lifted up first and then stretching on the side, shoulders away from the ears and collar bones apart. Spreading the toes apart and rooting the feet on the floor, belly long and face relax.

Increasing the length of breath gently and awakening the inner cells of the back itself will make the back comfortable.

Moderation and moving slowly with the Breath and sometime supported back bend with Block or Pillow under the shoulder blades against the back ribs,which will open your upper back and relax the back of your head and pelvis, as well as the bottoms of you feet on the floor.

Alignment and Breathing is marvelous few weeks in my opinion.

Blessings,
Namaste,
Veena