Naprapathy and Yoga

Naprapathy and Yoga

 

 

By Dr. Wanona Wellspring, DN

Licensed Doctor of Naprapathy

Himalayan Institute Yoga Instructor

Anusara-Inspired Yoga Instructor

Certified CranioSacral Therapist CST I, CST II

 

August 24, 2004

 

In recent years yoga has become a more popular form of exercise.  It has advantages over other types of exercise for many reasons.  With a floor mat to practice on, the yoga student can easily “work out” moving into various positions or poses called asanas in Sanskrit, the language of Yoga.

 

Naprapathy is a manual manipulation of soft tissue of the body.  The science of Naprapathy was created about the same time as Chiropractic and Osteopathy were founded in the late 1800s.  Of the three main forms of manual medicine, however, naprapathy has kept its focus on manipulation of connective tissue to alleviate pain and tension in the body, rather than using drugs, surgery or moving the bones.

 

What could a modern form of bodywork and an ancient practice of movement have in common?

 

The most obvious answer, of course, is the nervous system that gives rise to optimal kinesthetic expression and alignment of the body*s structures as well as biological function.

 

Naprapathic treatments are centered around eliminating those interferences that prevent proper alignment of all the body structures.  When standing we look at the way the pelvis and shoulders lie on a horizontal plane as well as the vertical relationship of the spin.

 

We take into account that bones vary in size from person to person and change with age or the sex of the individual.

 

In yoga, alignment is just as important in finding ease or stirum in the pose.  Just as in Naprapathy if there are alignme3nt issues we look to see what muscles are tight and which are weak.  A tight hamstring could account for a pelvic rotation or tilt, and cause other problems either at the knee or possibly the low back.  The vertebrae’s in the spine are of great importance as the nerves that exit here supply all the organs and muscles of the body.  When a vertebrae is pulled out of alignment due to a tight muscle or ligament the nerve may become trapped within the surrounding structures and create a problem.  Pain on movement or restricted movement can be caused by tight or spasming muscles making certain postures difficult to accomplish.

 

One side of the body may move more easily than the other.  This could be due to tight muscles, but might also be due to the fact that bones are different in size and shape.  All bodies do not move in the same way.

 

Maintaining postural integrity can be enhanced through regular Naprapathic manipulation.  The topography of the body is the architectural roadmap that leads the doctor of naprapathy to decide what treatment is necessary in order to regain alignment.

 

Naprapathic Protocol

In a naprapathic treatment several factors are considered:  Is the pelvis rotated?  Has the sacrum tilted?  Are the vertebrae in proper alignment?  How is the skull sitting in relationship to the cervical vertebrae?  Are the legs of equal length?  Do the joints have full range of motion, and if not what is causing the restriction?

 

Answers to these and other questions will determine the treatment protocols.  But what about after the treatment?  Once the distortions are corrected and alignment is achieved what can we do to prevent it from reoccurring?  How do we rehabilitate the muscles and nerves to maintain the body in proper alignment?

 

YOGA PRESCRIPTION

Yoga asanas are invaluable as a rehabilitation tool for the patient.  Nerves move muscles more easily when the bones are aligned properly.  Also, as we strengthen weak muscles they begin to do their job better and tight muscles ease up a little; balance is restored.

 

Yoga maintains that balance by reinforcing the knowledge in the tissues as we move in and out of the pose.  As one muscle contracts another lengthens.  The message is being orchestrated in the spinal chord by a process called reciprocal nerve innervations.  When one muscle is called upon to contract the nerves on the opposing side are being asked to relax, allowing for joint movement.  The most difficult area to realign through voluntary movement is the spine.  Deep muscles here are small and attach from the vertebrae to the rib or from vertebrae to vertebrae.  The deep spinal muscles travel from the base of the skull all the way down to the tailbone.

 

During each yoga practice it is important to include twisting the spine or revolving around the central axis, called parvrita in Sanskrit.  In a triangle pose, known as trikonasana, the upper torso is in alignment with the pelvis and legs are apart creating angles at the ankles and hips.  Revolving the upper torso in the opposite direction as the pelvis the spine is twisted creating an unwinding effect along the vertebrae.  Parvrita trikonasana can be performed standing or lying down.

 

As with any stretch, the longer you hold the stretch the more effective.  And the longer you hold the pose the more your body begins to remember.  Lying down makes it easier to hold the pose for extended periods allowing the mind to relax its hold on tight muscles and balance is restored more easily.

 

YOGA THERAPY

After a trauma yoga can be very therapeutic in shortening the recovery process.  Certain poses will lengthen tissues while strengthening others.  As we twist, turn, breathe, and reach with our body we are giving direction to individual muscle fibers through a complex network of nerves that move on our command.  It has been said by many wise yoga instructors of the benefits of yoga on our organ, our senses, and our mental state.

 

Yoga practice consists of many factors.  First, we center ourselves to focus on the inward and outward expression of our being.  We take deep breaths to warm the blood and clean the lungs.  Next we begin to move gradually stretching our muscles and joints preparing them to greater activity.  Our heart begins to beat stronger as we move graciously accepting our own limitations and not overdoing in any pose.  We add certain twisting movements to help relax and strengthen deep muscles in the spine.  Every back bend is balanced with a forward bend and each side repeats the same exercise and movement sometimes three or more times gaining a memory of the pose.

 

Finally we rest.  We lay down and allow every fiber of our being to relax and restore health.  All students enjoy corpse pose or Shavasana as the final relaxation at the end of class.

 

But the true goal of yoga is to prepare us for meditation.  When we can sit comfortably in our bodies the minds is not distracted by minor aches and pains.  We must learn seated postures as well that help us achieve a comfort level that allows our thoughts to stay focused once again on ourselves.  WE allow erroneous thoughts to float by and maintain our attention to our practice.

 

BENEFITS

Other benefits of yoga therapy or a regular practice of yoga include

• improved cardiac output,
• more oxygen circulated throughout the body, and
• greater respiratory capacity.
• Other organs improve in health as digestion improves, and
• most importantly stress is reduced.

Most patients who regularly practice yoga asana and naprapathy gain height as the muscles in the spine stretch and relax.  Blood pressure normalizes, muscles become toned, and bones stay strong.  I have witnessed pronation or flat feet regaining their arch, knee pains disappear and asthma is gone.

 

LONGEVITY

Personally, I maintain a regular practice of yoga asanas in addition to teaching yoga.  I feel alignment is key to good health and looking young and vibrant as we grow into our later years.  Yoga is a therapy of movement, breath and peace of mind.  Finding ease in a pose (stirum sukum asana) can bring personal satisfaction and joy into one’s life.  This has far reaching benefits on health and anti-aging.  We can grow old and stay supple and strong moving gracefully as we age.

 

Dr. Wellspring teaches yoga at Himalayan Yoga & Meditation Center in Palatine, Illinois and maintains her naprapathy practice in a home office in Palatine as well as one day in Naperville.  Wellspring Family Health Centre is an integrated natural medicine clinic offering naprapathy, functional massage, yoga prescription, exercise prescription, functional nutrition and guidance to living well in health and prosperity.  We also offer classes and continuing education in herbal nutrition, Egyptian foot reflexology, aromatherapy spa techniques and medical massage therapy.