Expert: John R. Cross - 1/26/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello Doctor,
I am a 24yr old female and i love to practice yoga. My problem is i experience a nerve pain or sudden cramping sensation during certain exercises which keep me from getting better at them.These being at my hamstrings when i bend my legs at my knees especially with a wieght like in a leg curl machine, also when i bend my knees and then try to raise(hyperflex) my back up away from the floor (a popular yoga pose). I dont feel a pain during hamstring stretches. But they look underdeveloped to the eye.
Another muscle i frequently cramp are my calves during calf raises when i go above a certain number or reps or usually the next day.
My back is a little stiff at backward bends and as a result i feel a pinched sensation(not cramping) at my lumbar area when i try to do them.
Each of these pains are not recent but have been happening consistently over a few years. I have mentioned all together in case they run from a common cause.
I would love it if you could tell me some pressure points that would ease the pain along with the method and time it might take. Also, does pressing them help only during the pain or cure the condition permanently? Thank you so much for your time and help.

ANSWER: Hello Priya,

Sorry to hear you are in pain and are not able to do your yoga properly. I do not know your medical history, but you may need to check a couple of things before trying acupressure. You need to treat the CAUSE of the problem, not just ease out the symptoms, so - a) do you take enough salt in your diet (not taking sufficient salt could cause cramping), even a few grains more each day could help without giving yourself any other problems! b) It sounds like you may have a lower back condition, either due to postural problems or an old injury. This needs to checked out by a competent physical therapist or chiropractic. Resolving this could ease all the pain. If you have tried a) and b), then the best two acupoints for you to do on a regular basis i.e. each evening is to massage LR 3 and BL 62. LR 3 is the Source point of the Liver and will ease cramps and muscle tension by relaxing the muscles. It is situated between the big toe and the 2nd toe at the top of the web towards the ankle joint. BL 62 is to help pain in the legs and back - this point is situated just underneath the outside ankle bone. You will need to sit on a bed and lean forward. Massage each point very gently for a couple of minutes each bilaterally before proceeding to the next one - the order does not matter. If you do this each evening for about 3 weeks you should feel quite a difference. Hope this has helped and please get back to me if I have not answered it to your satisfaction - John

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Doctor,
Thank you so much for answering my problem. You have addressed it perfectly.I DO happen to have a slight postural deviaton. Upon my inspection in the mirror i find i have a a less than ideal lumbar back curvature , a slight kyphotic thoracic curve and a neck forward position.My upper back is stiff and i find it realy hard to bend backwards from here. It even does not go back against gravity which requires no muscular strength.
So i want to know if it is possible to increase flexibilty using accupuncture for the same, any pressure points included?
By the way i tried the pressure points u mentioned earlier and i already feel a difference.My legs and back feel more relaxed so thank you so much.I will continue to follow your advice.
Take care and good wishes!

Answer
Hello Priya,

I am pleased the advice helped. I am afraid that acupuncture or acupressure will not help with increasing flexibilty in muscles and ligaments. This HAS to be done with stretching exercises. I find that swimming and hydrotherapy provides the best overall stretching routines without actually thinking that you are exercising! Best wishes