2 Experts Explain How a Daily Yoga Practice Can Ease Inflammation Pain

If you're exploring alternative ways to holistically aid your inflammation pain, lecture your doctor about adding a yoga practice into your daily routine might be a source of relief.

But, first, know that not every inflammation-focused yoga practice goes to seem an equivalent . That's because inflammation pain (both acute and chronic) presents itself in some ways — since it can stem from a good sort of underlying health problems, from infection to stroke to arthritis.

So, rather than directly guiding you through a flow, we're calling on two professionals to assist you navigate your journey in treating inflammation pain — starting with yoga practices worth considering.

"Forms of yoga that include heat [and] warmth may benefit those with inflammatory responses. Other sorts of yoga, including Vinyasa and Kundalini, may help with specific spinal movements that leave increased flexibility and decreasing rigidity," Dr. Sheri Dewan, MD, a board-certified neurosurgeon at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, tells us.

Kimberlee Bonura, PhD, a triple-certified yoga instructor registered with the Yoga Alliance and a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, adds that restorative yoga "can reduce the amount of stress hormones like cortisol and other physiological markers of inflammation within the body."

Restorative yoga isn't about pushing, sweating, and powering through, she explains. "It's about taking note of your body, relaxing, and feeling good within the pose."

No matter the practice, understanding the signals that your body sends you mid-flow is important .

"It is vital to differentiate between discomfort and pain," Bonura says.

If a yoga pose feels uncomfortable, it might be okay to run through it to enhance your strength and adaptability .

But, she says, pain isn't good — take that as your body's internal alarm to prevent what you're doing.

"If you're having pain with a flow or a pose, then you should not be doing that flow or that pose — a minimum of not at that point . Take a step back. Find an adapted version or modification of the pose that gives similar benefits without discomfort," Bonura confirms.

Dr. Dewan agrees, too, that each one yoga flows should be modified to stop inflammation pain.

Working with a licensed professional (even virtually!) who has specialized training in your condition and may guide you thru modifications, moves, and tools (like blocks or straps) will assist you avoid putting unnecessary stress on your body.

And although it's up to the discretion of the professional you're working with, know that Dr. Dewan generally feels that 30-45 minutes of yoga each day may be a great goal to strive for — although nobody should feel discouraged if they can not meet that quota. Bonura agrees. "Doing a touch consistently is more valuable than doing tons occasionally. Doing yoga for five or 10 minutes every day will yield more long-term results than doing a extended workout inconsistently," she says.

Especially if your inflammation inhibits your sleep — and reciprocally , your healing — Bonura feels that adding a 5-10 minute sequence into your bedtime routine may be a good way to enhance sleep quality and promote relaxation.

Although more individual research is required before you'll feel good during a yoga practice, know that any step — or stretch — toward relief is one within the right direction.

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