ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – For those of us who suffer chronic back pain, we are always looking for new ways to alleviate the pain. There is an alternative treatment, a different type of prescription that doesn’t come in a bottle.
Linda Consalvo is a yoga instructor who helps her students learn how to listen to their own bodies. “People have an idea of what they think yoga is, and they don’t think they can do whatever their image is, like standing on their head.”
Linda says a non-aggressive form of exercise is not difficult and is excellent for many who suffer from back pain.
But today, Linda is the one taking instruction in Stacy Rinz’s yoga therapy class, because Linda came to yoga as a way to stop her own excruciating pain. “I began having back problems 25 years ago when I herniated a disk in my back and I received chiropractic care for many years and did relatively well, then I ruptured a disk and I was in excruciating pain.”
Linda says yoga saved her. “I’ve gotten back my active lifestyle. I work out. I do cardio. I work out with weights.”
Doctor Sara Rizk explains how yoga and other forms of non-aggressive exercise like Tai Chi work on the back. “It’s actually strengthening the core muscles. When you straighten them, those muscles take pressure off your spine. Research has shown that’s actually one of the best treatments for back pain — taking pressure off the spine. It also helps with posture, balance, alignment, and with relaxation because stress is a big problem.”
Doctor Rizk actually writes prescriptions to her patients for yoga and Tai Chi, and even has some classes at her work place. “We can monitor them and see who is benefiting from it and who needs to hold off until they heal a little more and we follow them to make sure they aren’t getting worse, but actually getting better.”
You can take Tai Chi or yoga classes anywhere in our viewing area, but ask and make sure the instructor is properly trained and let your physician know first.
Start to Finish Spine Care
431 Southwest Blvd. North
St. Petersburg, FL 33703
