Practicing yoga is a good way to stretch and strengthen the muscles and improve agility. Yoga exercises target certain joints and muscles, helping individuals recover from injuries and prevent future issues.
Engaging in yoga helps improve posture and increase muscle tone to help individuals regain their strength after an injury. Here is more information about how physical therapy yoga can be used for injury rehabilitation:
Boosts Flexibility
According to research by the National Library of Medicine, most sports injuries occur due to overuse of muscles, tendons, joints, and other connective tissues. These injuries gradually develop as the affected areas endure stress without adequate time to heal. When muscles are injured, their ability to support the joints and movement is compromised. Self-release and stretching exercises, such as yoga, improve flexibility, speed muscle recovery, and strengthen the body’s support structure. If you are facing severe muscle strain, your healthcare provider may recommend gentle, restorative yoga workouts.
Yoga poses such as Cobra Pose focus on stretching without putting too much pressure on the muscles. This pose stretches the front of the core and strengthens the spine and back muscles. The Child’s Pose stretches the back, ankles, hips and thighs. It relieves muscle tension and pain in the lower back. For recovering athletes, practicing a balanced range of motion in sequences like Sun Salutations aids recovery and prevents long-term muscle injury.
Eases Pain and Boosts Circulation
Pain management is part of rehabilitation therapy for various injuries. A solid and consistent physical therapy yoga workout eases muscle, joint, and bone pain, and accelerates recovery. According to a report by Harvard Health Publishing, breathing exercises and meditation help the brain cope with pain perception and allow the body to manage discomfort naturally.
A delay in injury healing causes muscles to function poorly and prolongs the return to active sports. Quality blood flow transports oxygen and other key nutrients to the cells in the injured tissue. Increased blood flow warms muscles, which is necessary for building strength and preventing injury. Yoga poses encourage proper blood flow, boost endurance, and increase oxygen uptake for the cells. The Downward-Facing Dog pose directs the blood to flow toward your upper body, relieving pressure from the legs. The Plow Pose stimulates blood circulation around the neck and back regions.
Improves Muscle Strength
Soft tissue injuries, like sprains and strains, are often characterized by sudden pain during contraction. This pain is followed by swelling and loss of strength. When the muscle is injured, inflammation occurs, and yoga workouts gently stretch the muscles surrounding the inflamed part to release tension and promote healing.
The Cat-Cow Stretch pose is suitable for improving core strength and spinal flexibility. It strengthens the back muscles and provides relief from conditions like sciatica. The Plank pose targets the legs, shoulders, and arms, and it is useful for developing core strength and preventing musculoskeletal injuries. The Chair Pose targets the back and midsection and improves your body’s posture and ability to withstand injuries.
Improves Balance
Maintaining the correct balance requires proper coordination of the brain and muscles. Achieving the correct balance improves agility and minimizes the risk of injury. Physical therapy yoga workouts improve balance, prevent falls, and enhance coordination skills.
Tree Pose strengthens your ankles, spine, thighs, and calves, allowing the body to develop a sense of stability. Warrior II is a standing exercise focusing on stability while stretching your legs and chest area. Practicing these poses helps you build your body awareness as you move through daily activities and rehabilitate your injuries.
Choose Physical Therapy Yoga for Injury Rehabilitation
Physical therapy yoga provides a holistic approach to boosting muscle strength, easing pain, and improving balance during recovery from soft tissue injuries. Choosing specific yoga poses stretches your muscles, reduces inflammation, and boosts healing from injuries, allowing for a faster return to an active lifestyle. Look for online or in-person yoga classes to learn more about using the practice to restore your health after an injury.
