In Need of Needles-The Day Before

So I have decided to go get acupuncture tomorrow with part of my Economic Stimulus Package money. I have been attempting to control my asthma recently with Yoga instead of the more intense asthma medication I was on this winter. I have read on various websites that this is possible. Unfortunately, although I have been going 2-3 times a week to yoga class and doing stretches at home, my asthma is worse than its ever been. I am feeling pretty frustrated and breathless and tired. I had to work from home for my internship today because I was so exhausted from another sleepless night that I couldn't drag myself out of the house. This acupuncture thing better help my asthma like it is supposed to, otherwise its back to osteoporosis-causing drugs for me. Yay.

By the way, I will be chronicling the acupuncture itself, any results, and any following visits.

Yoga and Your Lower Back

Upon reading a free yoga mag called New York Yoga the other day, I came across an article about how hamstring flexibility(or rather, lack thereof) directly correlates with lower back pain.

"Even though we think of the hamstrings as being on the thigh they are always tugging on the lower hips at the sitting bones. Therefore, when they become tight(or short) the hamstrings can actually pull our sit-bones down toward our knees, causing us to lose the natural curve we are born with in our lower back. When this happens, our lower back flattens slightly and the lower back muscles of that area become slack rather than strong as they are meant for good postural support. Moreover, the ligaments between our vertebrae are prone to being overstretched, possibly causing a bulging or herniated disk."


Luckily, many yoga postures, or asanas, focus on or involve stretching out the hamstrings. A standing forward bend can be a very relaxing asana, that at the same time engages your hamstrings. Try it every morning for a week, and see if you notice any difference in your lower back.