Chronic Pain & Private Yoga
Unfortunately chronic pain is a life process many of us experience but that doesn't mean there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Now more than ever there are many modern medical and integrative approaches to help us navigate and better understand these challenging health experiences. Yoga is just one of these modalities that can provide relief for those experiencing chronic pain, injury, or illness. As a private yoga instructor I have worked with many clients who experience health issues and chronic pain. Below are some of the ways my clients, with chronic pain have benefited from working with a private yoga instructor.
PERSONALIZATION:
The way we experience chronic pain is so personal and varied depending on an individual's circumstances. This means anyone using yoga as a pain management modality should be practicing a highly individualized approach. Luckily yoga is extremely adaptable and easily personalized. Most of the time people don’t realize how personalized yoga can be because of the popularity of large group yoga classes where teachers have to limit how they modify the class. Suffers of chronic pain may need to omit some yoga poses or incorporate a specific type of breathing and restorative practice. Yoga can be amazing for lowering inflammation, creating more mobility, calming the nervous system, etc ( the list goes on and on), but the wrong combination of yoga practices can have the adverse effect on those experiencing chronic pain and daily discomforts. It’s critical to account for injury, illness, causation, medication, energy level, etc. This means a group yoga setting may not provide a therapeutic result for someone experiencing high levels of pain and discomfort. A private yoga instructor can provide 1:1 care keeping the lines of communication open before, after, and during your yoga practice, to provide you with the absolute best yoga practice to support your health and healing.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Today more than ever patients and their healthcare providers are seeking integrative approaches to solve and manage chronic conditions. Even though many doctors and specialists are enthusiastic about this integrative model, it’s still new territory for traditional healthcare providers and they may not have the knowledge or resources to refer other high quality holistic practitioners. Unfortunately this leaves their patients responsible for their own research. At Private Yoga Soho our clients often ask us “Can you recommend a good chiropractor, massage therapist, acupuncturist, herbalist, etc.?”, and luckily like minded holistic practitioners often lean on each other's expertise to provide the best care possible for their clients. From an integrated and holistic approach your private yoga instructor can refer you to other modalities you may benefit from and will even compare notes (with your permission) with your other healthcare providers to keep your yoga practice as up to date and as beneficial as possible.
COMMUTING:
If you experience chronic pain or have a loved one who experiences chronic pain, you know commuting to healthcare appointments can be a tremendous struggle. Private yoga sessions allow clients to practice yoga at home, giving them the space and time they need to heal. Clients love to spend extra time in the comfort of their own home and appreciate the opportunity to heal their bodies and minds in a less clinical environment.
HEALING:
There are many physical benefits of practicing yoga that can help sufferers of chronic pain; lower inflammation, better sleep, more mobility, lower blood pressure, less muscular tension, etc. Most importantly yoga gives clients the space to actually explore their pain in a noninvasive, non judgemental way. As private yoga instructors guide their clients into a more relaxed and open space, they can encourage clients to explore pain in new ways. We often guide our clients to observe pain as it changes over long periods of time or encourage clients to explore how their pain makes them feel spiritually and emotionally providing a profound healing experience for both student and teacher. Pain is a very complex health problem many of us in the healthcare and healing world are working to solve and we find helping our clients better understand their own pain is an amazing tool on the path to healing and recovery.
Chronic pain is something many of us deal with but it doesn't have to be how we define ourselves. Healthcare is changing faster than ever and the bond between holistic and traditional medicine is growing stronger by the day. If you feel like a personalized approach to yoga might be right for your healing journey talk to your healthcare providers!
As always do what is right for your body and always consult a doctor before taking on a new physical practice or healing modality.
To learn more about yoga and chronic pain, check out the research linked below.
Other Resources and Articles:
How Does Yoga Relieve Chronic Pain? - Psychology Today
Yoga For Pain Relief - Harvard Health
Yoga For Pain - National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
