First, a group of researchers studied specific yoga postures (Asanas) for their effects on heart rate, blood pressure, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Rather than share all the specifics of each posture, Johnson Chiropractic found it interesting to note the balance of yoga. Some postures increase blood pressures while others decrease them. Some postures’ effects even differ between right and left sided performance. Postures requiring effort exertion done before relaxation provide greater cardiovascular recovery. (1) Yoga can be exertive and relaxing as well as beneficial.

And the benefits of yoga don’t stop with the cardiovascular system. The muscular system benefits, too. Plus, for those Richmond chiropractic patients who have back pain, yoga’s approach to strengthening the core to support the spine may be the better balanced approach. Why? Because abdominal exercises like sit-ups promote a slouched posture and diaphragm compression whereas yoga postures promote a more upright posture and openness for breathing. And exercises like sit-ups often encourage quantity. “How many sit-ups did you do today?” The more beneficial approach is the quality approach to abdominal core strengthening: upright posture, breathing. (2) Johnson Chiropractic encourages exercise and is ready to discuss and even demonstrate how quality beats quantity when it comes to abdominal exercise for the spine-supporting core.

So contact Johnson Chiropractic today for a Richmond chiropractic care consultation about your spine conditions like back pain and leg pain as well as about the quality of your core exercises. A few yoga postures may be logical additions to your Richmond chiropractic treatment plan!