The Musculoskeletal System is composed of the skeletal system and the skeletal muscles. This is basically the system concerned with the mobility and the protection of the internal organs. The skeletal system holds and provides shape to the entire body; the entire system is connected through body joints.
The body is composed of 350 bones since childhood and 206 bones in adulthood. These bones are joined together by certain joints. The skeletal muscles are types of muscles in the body that are controlled by the somatic nervous system. The body is basically composed of more than 640 muscles, which compose more than half of the body`s weight. Yoga is the process that is best known for the past 5,000 to benefit each and every part of the body.
The human skeleton protects the softer parts of the body, enables movement and produces blood cells in the bone marrow and gives the body its general shape. If the skeleton of a body is suddenly removed, the body will sink to the floor in a complete shapeless mass. Thus, the condition of the body joints and the skeletal system greatly depends upon its maintenance.
Despite their solid appearance, the bones of human body are made of living tissues, growing and reshaping themselves to the strains that are placed upon them. The joints of the skeletal system often faces troubles like sprain, slipped disc, hiatus hernia, umbilical hernia, arthritis, cervical spondylitis, and many others. Yoga helps in the realignment of various such mechanical disorders. For a slipped disc, the bony column and muscles are pulled apart so that the disc is not pressurised. The asanas for body joints can be done sitting, standing, lying down, and upside down. These poses place varied stresses and strains on the muscles, bones, ligaments, and nerves, thus making the joints strong and flexible.
Yoga certainly helps in improving the efficiency of body joints. Simple asanas, movements help increase the circulation in the joints and limbs. Various Yoga asanas like basic movement, tadasana, pavanamuktasana, makarasana, swastikasana, januhastasana, hastashirasana, ekpadsahajhasta bhujangasana, dwipadsahajhasta bhujangasana, veerasana, trikonasana, vrikshasana are helpful. Slow, steady and controlled movements are especially recommended. It is not advisable to maintain the asanas for long. These postures strengthen the legs, arms, shoulders, back and stamina. They also work on the hip joints and maintain a balance in both upper and lower limbs. The lower back gets enough relaxation due to the movement of the body and thereby makes the legs stronger. The elasticity of the spinal cord functions improves and coordination among different joints of the body also enhances.
Asana postures are designed to improve health and generate energy to the body and mind. These asanas free all the joints, opening them up to relieve pressure on the protective cartilage and restore correct alignment of the bones. By keeping muscles and ligaments strong and posture correct, one can prevent damages to the joints. The slow, controlled physical movement of joints is helpful for the people suffering from different spinal problems and arthritis. These asanas improves the blood circulation in joints, thus removing unwanted toxins and other waste products. However, if the movement of the asanas increases the pain of the joints, the person should stop immediately and consult a doctor. A slight increase in pain and then declining is normal, thus slow movement should be continued for proper results.
Yoga raises acts upon the different joints, particularly those that are seldom on the `radar screen`. By improving lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons, yoga asanas also succeed in exercising the various tendons and ligaments of one`s body. The body joints that were experienced to be rigid actually feel incredibly flexible after a considerable period of practice. Simple Pranayama is recommended, which involved deep breathing, special type of Pranayama with inhalation via right nostril and exhalation through both nostrils create a sound of Hmm. Besides, the practice of Yoga, one should also bring some changes in the routine. Steam bath and Surya Namaskaram is advised. Fresh and light diet should be consumed. All fruits except bananas, mangos, grapes, can be eaten. Over eating can cause damage to body joints.
The brisk and slow movements of Yoga asanas improve the efficiency of body joints at its best. People practice Yoga to heal injury or disease, to re-shape their body, gain strength, flexibility, and balance, and also to reduce the harm of stress on the body. It is the only therapy that can even help further the patient`s spiritual journey.
DISCLAIMER - The Yoga asanas prescribed above should be strictly performed under the supervision of an experienced Yoga teacher.
