From The Professor;
Yes. Really!
There seem to be as many misconceptions about discs as there are about pain. I learned many misconceptions in school in the 1980s, and I am surprised that many well-intentioned people share disc-misinformation that can limit function and recovery. It is disheartening when danger-infused language like ‘slipped’ discs and degenerative disc disease, and visual demonstrations of how ‘discs are like jelly donuts’ continue to misinform people in pain, health professionals and yoga teachers. Discs do not slip, age-related changes in discs most often do not hurt, are not degeneration or a disease, and discs are more like really thick radial tires, meant to bulge as a normal part of their function.
Let’s talk about tissue healing to answer this question.
If you don’t forward bend, then neither the structure or the physiology of the body will adapt in a positive way to forward bending. In other words, whether talking about a disc or other tissues, movement is the only highly effective stimulus to complete the third stage of healing, and to restore normal sensitivity to mechanical loading. Remodelling of the tissue and desensitizing protective mechanisms can require purposeful and repeated movement. It can also require safely nudging the edge of pain when you move – which can in turn require new knowledge and a new approach to movement.
This is all part of being Pain Care Aware. When you know about pain, you find new ways to approach, explore and work with pain during movement. One option is always to stop, yet being Pain Care Aware helps you make informed decisions to whether a movement limitation is permanent.
From The Swami:
The truth is that we NEED to bend forward in life.
Each pose we do in yoga has a symbolic message and an energetic capacity. Yoga postures create certain effects on our mind and mood, as much as the physical position has an effect on our body and physiology.
Forward folds, or forward bends in yoga are postures in which you hinge forward at the hips. There are many forward folds, both standing and seated, that are commonly practiced in various forms across all styles of yoga. Energetically forward bends are about looking inward. It is obvious in the symbolism of the shapes, all of which take our gaze toward ourselves. We literally gaze into ourselves when we fold forward. It is an action of introspection and introversion, a process to gain clarity. Forward bends are calming and cooling to our Whole being and can help us manage anxiety as well.
Forward bends are primed for the practice of self-compassion. They may not always be the most comfortable poses initially, and they require us to navigate self-awareness and regulation skills to find “stiram sukham asanam” – meaning “a pose held with stability and ease” ie: “good space”.
The PCA movement guidelines are helpful to us for practicing within good space in forward bends, especially when there has been low back pain. When we can move through good space in forward folding in yoga we become more able to forward bend in life. We can adapt, connect with and listen to our inner truth, increasing self-trust and inner resiliency.
So YES, we encourage you to continue to bend forward in yoga and in life and do it with the intention of being in good space. Start where you are. Slowly and calmly move forward with care and trust in your innate inner wisdom.
If it hurts to forward bend and your progress stalls, the best solution is to receive guidance from an individual who has special training in pain and pain care. Learn more about pain, and the amazing resilience of our body, mind, and spirit.
Change is possible.
Be curious Be Pain Care Aware