With shoulder pain a forward head can eventually damage neck and upper back structures, as they bend and rub at angles they were not built for. Chronically holding neck muscles in an overstretched position weakens them. The forward head creates shortened, contracted muscles in front, and a stretched, weakened back. Cervical (neck) discs are pressured posteriorly. This creates a cycle of forward positioning that herniates discs and makes sore aching muscles, and the tightness and habits that keep you tilting forward. The result is that the average person has upper body/shoulder pain from the poor positioning and at the same time, the chronic poor positioning makes them too tight to stand up straight.
The word "Yoga" means "union". Yoga is a form of exercise based on the belief that the body and breath are intimately connected with the mind. The common causes of lower backache are either stiffness in the ligaments or muscles of the lower back, or weak abdominal muscles. Poor posture and lack of exercise usually lead to tight and swollen back muscles, resulting in pain in this area.
In yoga therapy, you use a set of posture designed specifically for your individual problems (shoulder pain) and imbalances to heal your body. Often many pain and misalignment issues will clear up in unison once your muscles are balanced and properly aligned.
Yoga is not a fad; it is a science that is recognized all over the world, re-establishing its credibility as an ancient discipline dating back ten thousand years ago. Merit is being given to a practice that has continued to help people realize their physical, emotional and spiritual potential. Yoga disciplines both the physical body and the mind, unites the two and encourages strength, flexibility and suppleness into all parts. Yoga is a perfect mind and body discipline for athletes, providing a deep understanding of the body while learning to focus and calm the mind in order to maintain postures (asanas). Not only can yoga enhance athletic performance through increased agility, flexibility, and lung efficiency but regular yoga practice helps the body quickly rebound and repair from injuries, strains and sprains and reduce shoulder pain.
Many of the postures in yoga gently strengthen the muscles in the back, as well as the abdominal muscles. Back and abdominal muscles are essential components of the muscular network of the spine, helping the body maintain proper upright posture and movement. When these muscles are well conditioned, back pain can be greatly reduced or avoided.
Glen Wood - The Yoga Teacher, dedicated to unlocking the Real Secrets of Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain.
