When I first became a physiotherapist, I believed that pain was purely physical. Fix the muscle, adjust the joint, strengthen the weakness – and voilà, problem solved.
But then I met clients whose pain persisted despite perfect technique, whose bodies held tension that seemed to have a life of its own, whose healing journeys required something deeper than what anatomy textbooks could offer.
That's when I discovered yoga therapy – not just as movement, but as a bridge between body, mind, and spirit.
The Missing Piece in Pain Management
- Traditional physiotherapy focuses on the physical body, and it's incredibly effective. But what happens when:
- Your shoulders tense up every time you're stressed?
- Your lower back aches when you're feeling unsupported in life?
- Your neck pain flares during periods of high anxiety?
This is where yoga therapy steps in, recognizing that our bodies hold our stories, our emotions, and our patterns.
How Yoga Therapy Works Differently
Breath as Medicine: Pranayama (breathing practices) directly influence the nervous system, helping shift from fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest.
Mindful Movement: Unlike exercise, yoga therapy emphasizes awareness, helping you notice patterns and habits that contribute to pain.
Emotional Release: Certain poses and practices can help release stored emotions and trauma from the body.
Nervous System Regulation: Yoga helps balance the autonomic nervous system, which plays a crucial role in pain perception.
My Personal Journey
I remember working with a client whose chronic neck pain had persisted for years. We tried everything – manual therapy, exercises, ergonomic adjustments. Nothing provided lasting relief.
Then we introduced gentle yoga therapy. Within weeks, she noticed that her pain was directly connected to her breathing patterns and stress levels. As she learned to breathe deeply and release tension mindfully, her pain began to transform.
The Integration Approach
- At Jiva, we don't see physiotherapy and yoga as separate modalities. They're partners in healing:
- Physiotherapy addresses the structural and mechanical aspects
- Yoga therapy works with the energetic and emotional layers
- Together, they create a complete healing experience
Your pain is valid. Your healing journey is unique. And sometimes, the path to feeling better involves not just fixing what's broken, but understanding what your body is trying to tell you.
