Over the years, I hear a few common phrases from clients. One common phrase ends with “…but I do yoga.” This is usually said with a strange look on the client’s face, meaning, how can I be sore when I am looking after myself with activities like yoga? Other activities, such as swimming and other highly recommended activities, can also fall into this scenario.
Yoga is a great health activity that is good in so many ways for the body. It really is. It helps your body to be more flexible. It also allows your bones to move better, your muscles to be more relaxed and your visceral organs stretch to have better circulation and innervation. A yoga instructor could talk to you for a long time regarding the benefits. I can also see these benefits as well with my osteopathic perspective and go through the many ways yoga is helpful. BUT, that said, I still hear that phrase.
When your body is out of alignment, imbalanced muscles and bones can be pulled asymmetrically. It can then be hard to do some of these or any movements without discomfort. The best activities that are normally recommended, can still be very difficult or painful if your body is out of alignment or strained in some fashion. Even floating in a pool can be awkward and sore. As an example: if your hip is not in a proper position, you could be sore while rotating your body in one direction or you may be able to balance on one foot without wobbling and not the other. Intestinal tension could cause your back to feel twisted and make your body both sore and feel twisted or even weaken knees.
Osteopathy is just one health modality that can help your body recover so you can continue with these activities. If you are doing an activity and your body is not responding the way you are hoping, consider a consultation with a health practitioner to assess what is preventing you from continuing on with your activities. Let us help you stay active.
Written by: Stewart Hope, D.O.M.P