Spondylitis is a common cause of chronic back and neck pain that develops due to inflammation of the vertebrae in the spinal cord. It causes stiffness, immobility, and degenerative changes in the spine over time if left uncontrolled. There are three main types - cervical, lumbar, and ankylosing spondylitis - characterized by pain and restricted movement in the corresponding spinal regions. Yoga poses and breathing techniques can help reduce pain and muscle spasms in spondylitis, especially when practiced regularly under guidance in mild cases.

2.  Spondylitis is one of the most common causes of
chronic back ache and pain in the neck, making it
very difficult for a patient to live a normal, pain-
free life.
 Spondylitis occurs due to the inflammation of or
two vertebrae in the spinal cord.
 It is one of the most common disease causing
back ache and neck pain.
 The disease is not detected and often gets
unnoticed until it causes severe pain.
 The pain is seen primarily around the cervical
area of the neck and it goes down to the
shoulder and lower back.

3.  It is an inflammation of one or
more vertebrae thereby
reducing the joint space and
compressing the peripheral nerve.
 The stiffness and the immobility of the
spine also increase if the condition does
not come under control and slowly
degenerative changes continue to occur.
 The common age group suffering from
this condition is middle age, having
prolonged sitting jobs.

5.  Three main types of Spondylitis are:
CERVICAL
LUMBAR
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

6.  It is characterized by pain and spasm of
muscle in upper back, back of the neck and
back of the head.
 There is a stiffness of the neck region,
restricting the movements of the neck and
head.
 It causes gradual degenerative process or
wear and tear of the joints, bones, muscles
and ligaments of the neck.

7.  Usual cause is Osteo-arthritis of the vertebral
bones in the neck region.
 It might have developed after whiplash injury
in the past.
 Precipitating cause may be habit of using
thick pillow during sleep.
 Similarly sitting on table job in an improper
posture also may lead to cervical spondylitis.

8.  Tension headache, restriction of neck movements
from stiffness and pain in the neck region.
 Muscular weakness is due to degenerative
changes in the muscles.
 Giddiness and ringing in the ear are due to
affection of the vestibular apparatus in the ear.
 New dense bony projection (Osteophytes) and
narrowing of disk space can be seen in X rays.
 The atherosclerosis of the vertebral arteries
decreases the blood flow to the brain.
 Bony overgrowth in the vertebrae may compress
the cervical nerve roots, resulting in radiating pain
in arms (upper arm, lower arm, fingers),
numbness and heaviness.

9.  Degenerative changes take place at lumbar
region i.e. in lower back (mostly 4th or 5th
vertebra) leading to nerve compression.
 Causes includes Degenerative changes gives
rise to narrowing of the disc space that can
also occur due to accidental injuries,
compressing the nerve root. Spasm of the
muscles of the lower back region leads to bad
posture, which in turn aggravates the spasm
further.

10.  There is a pain in the lumbar region.
 Restriction of forward bending of the back,
heaviness, numbness, cramps in legs and
tingling sensation results from compression
of spinal nerve.
 Inability to walk for long distance, inability to
stand or sit for long time compels one to
restrict all the activities.

11.  It usually leads to total stiffness of the back
restricting all movements due to pain.
 This condition also occurs in the middle aged
people.
 Causes: Exact cause is not known but usually
weak muscles of the back, constant wrong
sitting posture, heredity, extra calcium
intake, lack of exercise or movements are
blamed to produce this disability.

12.  Stiff back leads to inability to turn the neck and
therefore patient has to turn whole body to look
back.
 Pain persists in upper/lower and/or middle back.
 Patient is unable to sit, stand or even sleep
comfortably for a long time due to pain and
heaviness in legs.

13.  Yogasana prove both palliative and curative in
spondylitis, especially in early and newly
diagnosed cases, where minimal changes are
detected in X-rays.
 Asanas act by reducing muscular tension and
spasm and also by correcting posture.
 In addition, they restore pranic balance in the
neck, leading to regeneration of damaged tissues
and reversal of abnormal bone growth.
 Yogic practices should be adopted slowly and
carefully under skilled guidance, and then
practiced each morning.

14.  Asanas are practiced to strengthen the back
muscles and to improve their flexibility.
 Asanas provide natural traction.
 It helps to reduce the pain caused by
compression of the nerve root.
 The selection from the asanas is advised
according to the site of the defect.

15. Sarpasana Shashankasana Bhujangasana
Setu
Bandhasana
Parvatasana
Ardha-
Halasana
Chakrasana
(sideward
bending)
Supta Tadasana
Bhadrasana
Naukasana (in
prone pose)
Ardha
Salabhasanana
Makrasana

16. Bhadrasana
Parvatasana
(Mountain Pose)
Setu Bandhasana

17. Naukasana
Boat Pose
(in Prone Pose)

19. Makrasana
Shavasana

20. Pawanmuktasana
Part 1
•Full butterfly
•Skandha chakra
•Greeva
sanchalana
Ananda Madirasana Yogamudrasana
Supta Vajrasana

21. Greeva sanchalana
(Neck Rotation)
Skandha chakra
(Shoulder rotation)

22. Ananda Madirasana
(Intoxicating Bliss Pose)
Supta Vajrasana

23. Saral Dhanurasana
Supta Udrakarasana
Pawanmukta asana

24. Ujjayi Pranayama
Nadi Shodhana
Yogic Breathing in Supine pose

25.  Yoga Nidra (Use Neck and back support pillows)

26.  Om Chanting
 Kaya Sthairyam is the most effective in spice
diseases and deformities. The head should be
held erect but with the slightest tilt backward,
the spine upright and shoulders relaxed.

27.  The following simple diet will reduce pain and allow
the eliminative and regenerative processes to work at
optimum efficiency.
 Take a simple and light diet.
 Avoid sour fruits, curd, pickles, spices, milk and dairy
products.
 Eat fresh fruits and boiled vegetables, as well as
sprouted pulses like moong.
 Avoid highly refined, processed and synthetic foods.
 Evening meals should be lighter. Eat dinner at least 2
hours before sleeping.
 Missing a meal or fasting one day per week will ease
pain, especially during acute phase, and accelerates
relief and recovery of health.

28.  Learn properly before doing any pose.
 Take complete rest if there is acute pain.
 Practice regularly shavasana/Makrasana in between two
asanas which is helpful to bring beneficial results.
 Sitting still in Padmasana with the spinal cord straight and
the head slightly back, for increasing lengths of time is very
helpful.
 Avoid inverted asanas until marked improvement in the
condition occurs.
 Do not perform any movement hurriedly.
 Practice with patience and regularity.
 A Cervical collar or Spinal belt is often helpful.
 Avoid thick pillow during sleep in all the three types of
spondylitis.