Yoga for Neck, Shoulder & Upper Back Care Teaching Considerations / General Approach

Lesson Overview

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In this lesson, we explore a general teaching approach for students with neck, shoulder and upper back issues.

Objective

Apply knowledge of anatomy and of neck, shoulder and upper back issues to support an effective teaching approach.

Description

Explain a number of areas for care associated with neck, shoulder and upper back issues and note which symptoms may be a sign of potentially serious issues. Describe why movement in the upper back is naturally limited and describe the issue of compensation as it relates to correcting excessive curvature in the thoracic spine. Explain why shoulder strengthening is important and describe a typical weakness of traditional yoga asana as it relates to shoulder strengthening. Provide some general approaches to consider for upper back, shoulder and neck care.

Take Care

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1. Those who are experiencing shoulder pain and loss of range of motion are advised to see a qualified professional for diagnosis.
2. Some conditions such as arthritis and shoulder instability (or history of dislocation) can be aggravated by some movements. The shoulder joint is relatively mobile so those at risk of dislocation should be particularly cautious.
3. As in most cases, when pain is experienced or exacerbated with movement, it is advised to avoid or minimize such movement.
4. However, we also want to maintain range of motion in the shoulder joint. As such, Baxter Bell MD points out that most cautions are meant to ensure we approach movement with care — not that we avoid movement completely.
5. Numbness, tingling, sharp or electrical pains indicate a need to avoid practice until a professional diagnosis is obtained. (Gary Kraftsow, Yoga for Wellness)
6. For a list of specific considerations related to each type of arm movement and various conditions, see Baxter Bell’s list here.