Relief of Back Pain Through the Practice of Non-Attachment

If you have been injured and have ongoing back pain, a whole other chain of events may have unexpectedly come into play. There may be loss of energy and uncharacteristic edginess due to the back pain, discomfort and lack of ease in movement. In an attempt to protect the injured area and avoid additional back pain, you may create imbalances that result in other physical problems.

For example, one Christmas during a bout of excruciating back pain, I went to the local emergency department with what I feared was a heart attack. After receiving immediate medical attention, it was discovered I had burst a blood vessel in my chest. In the effort to avoid any jolt or sudden movement that would increase my back pain, I had attempted to hold back a sneeze, which had led to this painful, new situation.

When you become injured and suffer back pain, an array of emotions may present themselves. There may be anger and disbelief at what has happened. Dealing with doctors, medical examinations, paperwork, insurance companies, lawyers, bill collectors and coordination of all of these can feel overwhelming. There may be issues of fear and anxiety while you desperately try to regain some kind of control and relief from back pain. You may experience frustration when, despite all your efforts, no one seems to understand what you are going through. You may feel immediate guilt for your impatience with well meaning friends and loved ones who deliver a constant barrage of quick fixes, Internet miracles and personal RX for back pain.

Even bedtime may not offer a reprieve from your back pain if sleep is illusive or uncomfortable. A once normal life may seem suddenly catapulted into a 24 hour a day struggle.

Yoga and meditation can help with your back pain. The practice of yoga can teach you how to stay centered and grounded in the midst of the back pain, chaos, and uncertainty.

One of the main teachings of yoga is "non-attachment". This means not struggling against what has happened. It includes non-attachment to the back pain you are suffering right now. Through yoga you learn acceptance of circumstances as they currently are, without trying to change them or wish they were different in any way. It means not hanging on so tightly to your personal story. With yoga and meditation you learn how you have actually been depleting your own precious energy through constant struggle with back pain.

Deepak Chopra and David Simon outline some steps you can take in the practice of non-attachment. Practice acceptance of your body and situation as they are right now. That is not to say you do not plan for things to be different in the future… but, for now, accept what is. Chopra and Simon suggest that you accept things as they are and take responsibility for the challenge you are facing. Take care of the things you can. Nurture your body with good food, fresh air, and exercise within comfortable limits. Feed your mind with positive, loving, kind thoughts. Fill the moments of your life with the things and people you enjoy.

By practicing non-attachment and nurturing yourself you will begin to experience a reduction of your back pain. Yoga and meditation can help you learn how to create more ease and joy in your life in the midst of present moment back pain and uncertainty.

* Margie Beggs is a certified yoga instructor.

Margie is certified as a yoga acharya from the Sivananda ashram in Val Morin Que. She is a certified teacher of Ashtanga, yoga fit and Stott Pilates.