Yoga Exercises for a Slipped Disc

A slipped disc occurs when one of the discs in the spinal canal gets ruptured or juts out-of-place. This condition can occur anywhere along the length of the spinal cord, but usually occurs in the lower back region. There are a number of factors that contribute to this condition, the main cause being a sudden jerk or incorrect movement of the spine. For example, when you lift something heavy in an inappropriate manner or put your spine through sudden pressure. Slipped disc manifests severe painful symptoms and may also result in the inability to control bowel or bladder movements. But one can fight this condition by practicing certain yoga exercises everyday.

Yoga is one of the most effective ways to cure a slipped disc. There have been cases that translate large success rates in relieving pain and other symptoms caused due to a slipped disc. Some effective yoga postures are specifically designed to smoothen out imbalances and bring the discs back in the state of balance. While you practice these yoga asanas it is very important that you do not push yourself too hard, because this can only aggravate the condition and worsen the situation. Moreover, sufficient rest considering the severity of the condition is essential, the length of time you rest will amount to your speedy recovery. Given below are different yoga exercises for a slipped disc, which are specifically performed to bring back the equilibrium of the spine bones and relieves you of back pain.

Yoga Asanas for a Slipped Disc

#1 Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)	#2 Vriksha-asana (Tree Pose)
Lie on your abdomen, keeping both legs a bit apart. Now bend your legs backward and hold your ankles firmly with your hands and pull them towards your head. Gradually, you can get your legs to touch your crown, but of course that happens after a lot of practice. This posture strengthens your entire spine and improves flexibility.	Stand straight with your hands alongside. Bend one of your legs in the knees and place it on the thigh of the other leg. Here, the standing knee has to be locked. Raise your arms and join them together over your head. Pull your body upwards and feel the stretch. This pose corrects posture and relieves tension in the lower back.
#3 Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)	#4 Salabhaasana (Locust Pose)
Lie on your abdomen, keeping your heels together and toes flat on the floor. Lift your upper body with palms rested on the ground. Make sure your body from the navel to toes is rested on the floor. Your head should be lifted to the sky, you will feel the pressure around the navel area. Bhujangasana is known to cure cervical problems and slipped disc, as it instills more flexibility and strength in your spine.	Lie on your belly with your hands alongside. Slowly lift your legs a little higher, pressing your tail bone towards your pubis. Now, lift your head, upper torso and hands away from the floor. You will be resting your body on the lower ribs and front pelvis. The locust pose mainly works on the lower back, stretches it and helps in getting the slipped disc back in normal position.
#5 Utthita Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)	#6 Balasana (Child Pose)
Stand with your legs apart, in proportion with the shoulder distance. Extend your arms out in a "T" and drop your left hand down to your ankle, trying to touch it without bending in your waist. Your right hand will point towards the sky maintaining the T shape. Repeat the same on the opposite side. Trikonasana stretches your spine and increases flexibility.	Kneel on the floor with your thighs parallel to the floor. Now, bend your torso forward resting it on your thighs and your forehead on the floor. You can either extend your arms forward placed on the floor or backwards holding your ankles. This pose gently stretches your muscles without any strain on it and normalizes blood circulation.
#7 Chakrasana (Wheel Pose)	#8 Halasana (Plow Pose)
Lie on your back. Bend your legs toward your buttocks. Rotate your arms backward and place them close to your shoulders with palms facing down. Lift your body in a way that your neck and back are arched with your head hanging in between your shoulders. Initially you can take support, as this is an intermediate pose and gradually you will be able to master it. It not just strengthens the spinal canal but also regulates the blood circulation in your body.	Lie on your back with hands placed alongside, palms pressed on the floor. Now, raise your posterior, hips and lower back off the ground and try to touch your feet on the floor behind your head, just like in the picture. Continue to breathe normally. Hold the pose for a few seconds. Initially it may seem difficult but gradually you will be able to do it easily. Halasana exercises the entire spine and helps in getting it back in equilibrium.

Yoga helps in strengthening core muscles. Once the core muscles are strengthened, automatically the pressure on the spine is reduced. It goes a long way in ironing out the imbalances in the body and restores equilibrium.