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How Yoga Can Help Your Chiropractic Progress

yoga

Yoga and chiropractic are perfect together, but if you are already seeing a chiropractor, do you need to add it to your schedule? You may feel that yoga classes represent time you don’t have and money you would prefer not to put out. However, starting this exercise and can actually help your chiropractic progress and enhance the benefits you receive from treatments.

It’s Ongoing

As noted in a previous article How Does It Complement Chiropractic?  It focuses on improving your balance, as well as your range of motion, flexibility, and joint strength.  Most people who visit a chiropractor do so frequently while they are having a problem, and then periodically to keep themselves in alignment. If you continue to do yoga past your chiropractic treatments, the exercise extends the benefits of the treatment and helps your body maintain alignment. Realizing this, many chiropractors will suggest you exercise several times a week and will even help you choose the right type of class.

Types For Patients In Treatment

Starting yoga while under the care of a chiropractor is a good way to assure that the movements you do will complement your treatment. There are several types of yoga and not all have the same emphasis, goals, athleticism, and spiritual or philosophical orientation. Your chiropractor might suggest certain types of yoga based on your physical condition, and many chiropractic offices even offer yoga classes on site to ensure patients have access to the best type of yoga for their condition. If you choose to attend classes elsewhere, make sure to ask your doctor whether the class is appropriate for you.

All of these types focus on alignment and encourage class participants to do poses, often with the help of props such as chairs or blocks. There are differences among these types, but all are low-impact and fitting for beginners, seniors, those with mobility issues, those with particular types of injuries and when modified, pregnant women:

  • Anusara
  • Hatha
  • Iyengar Kripalu
  • Viniyoga

Other Types

More vigorous types of yoga require more athleticism and flexibility and are intended for those who want to get a good workout from their yoga practice. Chiropractics are less likely to recommend these to most patients:

  • Ashtanga
  • Bikram
  • Jivamukti
  • Kundalini
  • Power yoga
  • Vinyasa

These types focus on strength and endurance and are usually not appropriate for many people in therapy. Some, such as Bikram, are practiced in a very hot room, which can pose risks for those in treatment.

Raintree Medical and Chiropractic Center offers several classes right in our facility. If you choose to attend classes not offered at Raintree, make sure to ask your doctor whether the class you are considering is appropriate for you. For more information about whether you should add yoga to your chiropractic treatments, contact Raintree Medical and Chiropractic Center today at 816-623-3020 or enroll in a yoga class.