Spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips forward in relation to an adjacent vertebra, usually in the lumbar spine. The spine is made up of a series of connected bones called "vertebrae." In about 5 percent of the adult population, there is a developmental crack in one of the vertebrae, usually at the point at which the lower (lumbar) part of the spine joins the tailbone (sacrum). Sometimes this cracked vertebra slips forward over the vertebra below it. This is known as spondylolisthesis.
The symptoms that accompany a spondylolisthesis include pain in the low back, thighs, and/or legs, muscle spasms, weakness, and/or tight hamstring muscles. Some people are symptom free and such a condition could only be revealed through an x-ray. In advanced cases, the patient may swayback with a protruding abdomen, exhibit a shortened torso, and wobble while walking.
As the vertebral components degenerate the spine's integrity is compromised. Spondylolisthesis can be congenital (present at birth) or one can develop it during childhood or later in life. The disorder may cause immense physical stress to the spine due to the carrying of heavy objects, weightlifting, football, gymnastics, trauma, and wear and tear from general physical activity.
Another type of spondylolisthesis is degenerative spondylolisthesis, occurring usually after age 50. This may create a narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis).
The symptoms that accompany a spondylolisthesis include pain in the low back, thighs, and/or legs, muscle spasms, weakness, and/or tight hamstring muscles. Some people are symptom free and such a condition could only be revealed through an x-ray. In advanced cases, the patient may swayback with a protruding abdomen, exhibit a shortened torso, and wobble while walking.
As the vertebral components degenerate the spine's integrity is compromised. Spondylolisthesis can be congenital (present at birth) or one can develop it during childhood or later in life. The disorder may cause immense physical stress to the spine due to the carrying of heavy objects, weightlifting, football, gymnastics, trauma, and wear and tear from general physical activity.
Another type of spondylolisthesis is degenerative spondylolisthesis, occurring usually after age 50. This may create a narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis).
Yoga For Spondylolosthesis
Diagnosis
A routine lateral (side) radiograph taken while standing confirms the condition of Spondylolisthesis. The x-ray may show the translation (slip) of one vertebra over the adjacent level; more often the one below. Using the lateral (side) x-ray, the slip is graded according to its degree of severity.
Will Spondylolisthesis
hinder a normal life?
People with Spondylolisthesis can lead a normal life provided they avoid excessive physical activity that consists of painful movements and weight lifting. As the stability improves with reduced pain, you may start all normal activities and gradually increase your ability to bend the spine in all directions.
Specific Practices
Folded leg lumbar stretch
Crossed leg lumbar stretch
Pavanamukthásaná lumbar stretch
Sethubándhásaná lumbar stretch
Dorsal stretch
Hand stretch breathing
Hands in and out breathing
Shoulder rotation
Loosening of Elbows
Loosening of Wrists
Hand stretch breathing
Hands in and out breathing
Neck bending
Tiger breathing
Rabbit breathing (with relaxation)
Sásánkásaná breathing
Bhujangásaná breathing
Ardhá Salabhásaná breathing
Dorsal stretch
Straight leg raise breathing (alternate legs)
Sethubandhásaná lumbar stretch
Pavánámuktásaná lumbar stretch
Ardhákati Chákrásaná
Ardhá Chakrásaná
Parivarthá Trikonásaná
Bhujangásaná
Salbhásaná
Vakrásaná (sitting in a chair)
Ustrásaná
Folded leg lumbar stretch
Crossed leg lumbar stretch
Pavanamukthásaná lumbar stretch
Sethubándhásaná lumbar stretch
Dorsal stretch
Hand stretch breathing
Hands in and out breathing
Shoulder rotation
Loosening of Elbows
Loosening of Wrists
Hand stretch breathing
Hands in and out breathing
Neck bending
Tiger breathing
Rabbit breathing (with relaxation)
Sásánkásaná breathing
Bhujangásaná breathing
Ardhá Salabhásaná breathing
Dorsal stretch
Straight leg raise breathing (alternate legs)
Sethubandhásaná lumbar stretch
Pavánámuktásaná lumbar stretch
Ardhákati Chákrásaná
Ardhá Chakrásaná
Parivarthá Trikonásaná
Bhujangásaná
Salbhásaná
Vakrásaná (sitting in a chair)
Ustrásaná
Why Yoga for Spondylolisthesis?
Forward bending techniques such as Sasankasana breathing, tiger breathing and pavana muktasana lumbar stretch with bent knees should be practiced. Initially however, the above three practices should be repeated every 2 hours during the day and when the pain is acute. Once the pain decreases, you can gradually learn all the other practices of yoga for positive health.
What Yoga Practices Should I Avoid?
There is a popular belief that backward bending is good for low back pain and forward bending is bad for back pain. This rule of thumb is converse with reference to spondylolisthesis. Therefore, it’s critical to avoid acute backward bending postures such as Ardhá Chakrásaná, Chakrásaná, Ustrásana and Dhanurasana. Backward bending of Bhujangasana, Setubhandasana are welcome as these do not strain your back. Also, Kapalabhati Pranayama could be avoided for a few days, until the pain reduces since this technique may aggravates the pain due to faster breathing.
Forward bending techniques such as Sasankasana breathing, tiger breathing and pavana muktasana lumbar stretch with bent knees should be practiced. Initially however, the above three practices should be repeated every 2 hours during the day and when the pain is acute. Once the pain decreases, you can gradually learn all the other practices of yoga for positive health.
What Yoga Practices Should I Avoid?
There is a popular belief that backward bending is good for low back pain and forward bending is bad for back pain. This rule of thumb is converse with reference to spondylolisthesis. Therefore, it’s critical to avoid acute backward bending postures such as Ardhá Chakrásaná, Chakrásaná, Ustrásana and Dhanurasana. Backward bending of Bhujangasana, Setubhandasana are welcome as these do not strain your back. Also, Kapalabhati Pranayama could be avoided for a few days, until the pain reduces since this technique may aggravates the pain due to faster breathing.
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