Here is the place to get help for what ever is bothering you.
Here is the place to let me know what you think might be a good topic on this site.
Is there is something that has helped you in yoga that you think might help and inspire others? Is this something that you think I should elaborate on in order that someone else might know what to do?
Please comment below.
I have put this Questions and Comments post here because I realize that a particular blog post may not be the right place for your comment or question.
Thank you for your participation………Norm
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Question: I have osteoarthritis in my knee. My cartilege is worn out and my physician says that at this point, after surgery to remove damaged cartilege and synthetic cartilege injections, I am headed for a knee replacement operation as the only means to regain good use of it–that is, to play tennis. I’m not keen on more surgery. Is there anything I can do through yoga to help?
Norman, as you know I have fibromyalgia and some weeks ago I was feeling really down due to pain all over my body, you suggested Yoga. I have been working every day with the CD you have of Yoga for Seniors and it has helped. I will continue exercising every day. I wanted to thank you for your suggestion.
Lucia
Rick,
A few questions to help me better understand what you are dealing with:
You say, “I’m not keen on more surgery.” Have you already had some surgery on the knee? If so, what kind?
I think that you would be wise to have surgery only as a last resort. Surgery always carries risks, doesn’t always solve the problem, and sometimes results in other problems. A student of mine, after what was supposed to be very minor knee surgery, showed up on crutches with a portable antibiotic IV which he was told he needed to be hooked up to around the clock for six weeks because of an infection he ended up with.
Do you have pain in the knee? All the time or just with certain activities? Which activities make the pain worse?
Do you take any medication for pain? Do any activities make the pain less?
Have you been checked to see if the osteoarthritis in the knee is just a weak link and perhaps an indication of a more wide spread condition? The reason I ask this is that if you do, then surgery will not deal with the cause of, or the healing of, the osteoarthritis.
You say, “I am headed for a knee replacement operation as the only means to regain good use of it–that is, to play tennis.” Are you saying that you were told that if you had a knee replacement that you would be able to play tennis again? I’d guess that would be a “maybe”.
Rick, I look forward to your answers to these questions. Meanwhile, I will be putting together some information to give you the yoga approach to improving your condition.
Thank you for submitting your questions. Knee problems are common enough that I am sure a lot of people will benefit from this. Also, the techniques that will help the knee, will also help other conditions.
Lucy,
You are very welcome.
I am happy to hear that you are using my recording every day and that it is working for you. Actually what you called a Yoga for Seniors CD is actually Easy Yoga for Home, Office & Studio DVD and can be purchased at https://www.createspace.com/208884 or at http://yoganorman.com/products.html
I had told you that adopting an anti-inflammatory diet would really help you. If you haven’t gotten onto that yet, I will be talking about it in a post that I am working on now for Rick Skwiot’s knee condition.
I had also stated that coming to the yoga classes would really help you. If you are not ready for yoga classes yet, and you feel that you have progressed well with the Easy Yoga DVD, you might want to move up to another DVD I have called Heal Your Back Now! DVD which will take you still further in healing your pain. This DVD can be used by anyone to reduce joint and muscle pain, learn how to relax better, lower blood pressure, and get the proper attitude for the practice of Hatha Yoga. It is available at http://yoganorman.com/products.html or https://www.createspace.com/208903
In any case, Lucia, please continue to check these posts for what I will be writing about will also apply to you healing yourself of fibromyalgia.
I will always be happy to hear of your progress…..Norm
Norman, here are some answers to your questions.
I have osteoarthritis in my knee. My cartilage has worn away over 63 years of football, basketball, tennis, etc. My physician says that at this point, after surgery to remove damaged cartilage and synthetic cartilage injections, I am headed for a knee replacement operation as the only means to regain good use of it–-that is, to play tennis. I’m not keen on more surgery. I had arthroscopic surgery eight years ago to shave away damaged cartilage. (See my published article on it for some dark humor: http://www.rickskwiot.com/inside-the-bad-knee-and-sick-mind-of-the-arthroscopic-surgery-patient/.) Also, I don’t relish general anesthetic. Some people never wake up. And I can’t afford a knee replacement until I get on Medicare in two years–if it still exists then!
Generally my knee is okay and largely pain-free and functional except when I play tennis. (I know: So don’t play tennis. It may come to that.) I can bike, hike, swim, etc without much if any pain. My main concern now is that playing tennis, which I’ve cut way back on, may be further damaging my knee so hiking and biking and climbing stairs will be painful and difficult in the future.
At times I have taken Alleve (naproxen) for inflammation and pain. I don’t know whether or not it helps. I don’t like taking medicine, except for snake-bite medicine. I am in good health otherwise, with low blood pressure, low cholesterol, and slow heart beat. Is there anything I can do through yoga to help?
Here it is. Reduce & Heal Knee Pain Finally.
Also, you will find healing principles here that apply to healing of conditions other than the knee joint.
Remember regular, committed practice always gets the job done.
Norman,
A few years ago you mentioned a couple of book titles that discuss the healing effects of yoga practice. Would you mind posting the names of those books?
Thanks,
Peter Berquist
Peter. Finally got the post up, Books About the Healing Effects of Yoga
Sorry to take so long. I definitely need to answer these requests faster…and write more posts and articles.
Peter, I enjoy listening to your music performances on YouTube. It is nice to have the choice of the outdoor Johnson Square, Savannah, Georgia scene as well as the indoor one. Keep them coming. Thank you.
Namaste’, Norm
Dear Mr. Popovsky,
My name is Adam and I attended the BYP (Self-Realization Fellowship Boys Youth Program Camp) for the past two summers. You have helped me and my meditations on so many levels. I wanted to thank you again for all the advice and aid. I have only a couple more questions for you. If someone is experiencing spinal/shoulder blade pain, discomfort, and incorrect alignment, which poses or yoga practices would you suggest to help the pain go away and alignment to come back? This is for my sister, who is very open to a new approach since her leaving of her physical therapist.
Thank you,
Adam Quicquaro
ADAM – You are very welcome. Thank you for the feedback. I am happy to learn that my teaching has helped you with your meditation.
Regarding your sister’s condition of “spinal/shoulder blade pain, discomfort, and incorrect alignment,”: When I do therapy for this kind of condition, I begin by giving instruction in loosening up the area to increase circulation and promote healing in ways that do not aggravate the condition. This will also be applied to the surrounding joints and muscles, along with practice in breathing and relaxation. You can find more detailed advice in the article “Reduce and Heal Your Knee Pain”.
The other practice that is specific for this area of the body is to bend forward at the waist and just feel like the entire upper body, head, arms, and shoulders are just hanging. In this position you can very slowly and gently roll the head around and make small circles with the arms hanging from the shoulders. This is a very effective method to improve circulation and relax the neck, shoulders, and upper body, which can be difficult to do in an upright position.
If you would like more help with this, you can purchase my DVD, Easy Yoga for Home, Office & Studio, which has detailed instructions in loosening up all of the joints and reducing pain. The forward bending pose I mentioned above is included on the DVD.
The next step I do when giving Yoga Therapy for this condition is to teach the asanas (postures) as given on my DVD, Heal Your Back Now!, which will further reduce pain, improve circulation, promote healing, and align and balance the body.
Adam, I hope that this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Also, I would be very happy to hear of any results, which might inspire and help others to heal themselves.
Morning Norman,
I’ve told you a bit about my OB (Online Broadcasting) partner here in San Miguel concerning his size/health.
Shrinking Buddha is an OB project.
Losing weight/getting healthy in the Heart of Mexico.
7 weeks ago we started a Tuesday weigh-in at a Feed and Fertilizer biz out past the Central Bus Station.
The dude weighed in at 436 lbs.
Since, B’s gone from walking 3-4 blocks a day to walking 3-4 miles a day.
B’s diet has improved some.
B’s lost 14 lbs-2 lbs a week.
We are extemely busy launching OB.
Seems he’s the sorta guy who gets excited about a deadline.
#1 Diet has to improve.
#2 I’m ready to introduce B to very easy yoga.
Thoughts ?
Namaste
Jim
Jim, Welcome to my blog. Why don’t you give us your Online Broadcasting address. I am sure that a lot of people will be interested in tuning in to your internet video station and the project “Losing weight/getting healthy in the Heart of Mexico” [San Miguel de Allende and Health].
I am going to give this noble project of yours some thought about how I might best use your request for advice to serve the larger community of people who want to control their weight. I am thinking that I should create a series of articles based upon what I have found to be effective for permanent weight loss.
In the meantime, you would do well to get your partner started on my Easy Yoga for Home, Office & Studio DVD, which I believe you already own. These very easy to do exercises will help to loosen up his joints, tone his muscles, improve flexibility and circulation, and prepare him to go further in yoga in the future. All of this in turn will help his confidence to continue in the right direction.
You should also have him practice with my half hour Deep Relaxation CD, which will improve his breathing as well as his ability to relax. As he learns to relax better, he will find it easier to make the best choices in diet and exercise in order to succeed in his goal of reaching and maintaining his optimum weight.
I wish you both great success.
Namaste’,
Norm