Yoga Mudra for Sciatica

Nerve pain or neuropathy is a common condition that causes numbness, tingling and pain in the feet, hands and arms. It can also cause weakness or loss of muscle coordination.

Numbness, burning sensations, weakness, or pain in your lower back – especially if it travels down to your buttocks and legs – are all symptoms of sciatica. A chronic issue that affects millions of people, sciatica pain is caused by injury, inflammation, or irritation of the longest nerve in the body, the sciatic nerve. If you suffer from sciatic nerve pain, relief is possible.

Exercises and stretches relieve sciatic pain when performed regularly and correctly.

Treatment for nerve pain involves a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. However, some natural remedies for nerve pain relief can help manage or reduce the symptoms of neuropathy.

From vitamin B12 to ginger root, yoga to dietary changes, these natural remedies can help you manage nerve pain. They work best as an adjunct therapy to medication, but they may also be effective on their own.

7 Foods That May Heal Nerve Damage

·         Leafy Greens: Your Nerve's Best Friend....

·         Fatty Fish: Omega-3 Boost for Nerve Regeneration....

·         Nuts and Seeds: The Power of Vitamin E....

·         Avocados: Rich in Healthy Fats and Potassium....

·         Turmeric: Nature's Anti-Inflammatory Spice....

·         Dark Chocolate: Indulge for Nerve Health.

Mudras to Soothe Sciatica

“Mudra” is a Sanskrit term that means “gesture” or “attitude”. Mudras are energy-flowing postures meant to connect individual ‘pranic‘force with universal or cosmic force. Mudras are more than practices; they are gateways to inner transformation. Our hands are a source of tremendous power. A mudra can be a simple hand position or it can encompass the entire body in a combination of Asana, Pranayama, Bandha, and visualization methods. Mudras becomes more effective if you include the relevant Yoga Asana, Pranayama and Meditation in your daily schedule.

Improved Circulation: The practice of Hastha Mudras enhances blood circulation to the hands and wrists. Improved blood flow promotes healing by supplying essential nutrients and oxygen to the affected areas, aiding in recovery, and reducing pain.

Nervous System Relaxation: Certain Hastha Mudras encourage relaxation of the nervous system, including the nerves associated with the wrist and hands. By promoting a state of calmness and relaxation, these mudras can help alleviate tension and ease wrist pain caused by stress or strain.

Pain Management: Practicing Hastha Mudras regularly can act as a natural pain management technique. The mudras stimulate acupressure points in the hands and fingers, triggering the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain relievers.

Vayu Mudra – Air Mudra

Technique: Joining the index finger with the root of the thumb and putting slight pressure on it with the thumb. The remaining three fingers remain still.

Benefits:

• Regular practice of this mudra improves gout, arthritis, joint pain, paralysis, Parkinson’s, sciatica, knee pain and gas formation like diseases
• Relieves pain in the neck and spine
• Helps blood circulation disorders.

Apana Mudra (Digestive Fire Mudra)

Apana Mudra is linked to the Apana Vayu, which governs the elimination and downward flow of energy in the body. It may aid in improving digestion and reducing any digestive discomfort that could indirectly affect the wrists.

How to Perform:

Sit in a comfortable position and touch the tips of your middle finger, ring finger, and thumb together. Extend the other fingers in a relaxed manner. Practice Apana Mudra for about 5-10 minutes daily, or as needed.

Apana Vayu Mudra

This Mudra can save a person from a heart attack. It is also known as Sanjeevani Mudra since it can revive a dying person. Its effects are immediately visible.

Method:

As the name suggests it is a combination of Apana and Vayu Mudras. Touch the base of the thumb with the tip of the index finger, and touch the tip of the former to the tips of the middle and ring fingers. The practice of this Mudra brings the combined benefits of Vayu and Apana Mudras. It releases the accumulated Vayu Tatva from the body, particularly the chest, and improves the blood circulation in the heart. This immediately relieves the pain and heaviness.

Benefits:
• Brings quick relief from pain if practiced immediately after a person starts experiencing symptoms of a heart attack – Removes the excess Vayu Tatva from the stomach – Strengthens the muscles of the heart thereby improving its functioning (The patient experiences yawning and burping after practicing this Mudra, which removes the excess Vayu accumulated in the chest region and brings relief.)
• Helps overcome chest pain, sweating and fatigue – Regularizes irregular heartbeats
• Removes the obstacles in blood circulation
• Calms down the burning sensation arising from excess Pitta formation – Beneficial in case of constipation
• Useful in case of toothache
• Improves the functioning of various organs in the digestive system

Merudanda Mudra

Spine is known as Merudand in Sanskrit. Practice of this Mudra removes the strain experienced in the back. As a part of this Mudra, both hands are used to make different poses.

Method:
Right hand: Join the tips of the middle and little fingers with that of the thumb. Let the ring and index fingers remain straight. Left hand: Place the middle joint of the thumb on the nail of the index finger. Ensure that the tip of the thumb does not touch. This helps to balance the Tatvas of Akash (space) and Jal (water). This enables smooth movement of the vertebrae in the spine with the help of Vayu Tatva (air element). When the tip of the index finger touches the middle joint of the thumb the level of Vayu Tatva is properly maintained.

Benefits:
• Helps in removing the strain and pain in the back arising out of cleaning work, gardening, lifting weights and sitting in front of the computer for long hours
• Regular practice helps in relieving the pain in the back and waist arising out of gaps in the vertebrae, slipped disc, sciatica, etc. (Practice this Mudra daily for 5 minutes followed by 10 minutes of Prana Mudra.)

CONCLUSION:

Mudras are the part of yoga and it is a contribution of India.  The long term practice of mudra yoga will have lot of health benefits and it should be practiced under the yoga teacher for better result and proper utilization of mudras. The many Hindu saints gained highest level of mediation through practicing these mudras constantly and continuously for many years’ and decades. The research has been proved the various health benefits of mudras and these mudras are practicing by lakhs of people’s across India and world. Let’s practice the above mudras and feel the difference. Discover the power of Mudras to align your body, mind, and soul with the rhythm of the universe.