Yoga Exercises for Hip Dysplasia
By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed
Hip dysplasia is the congenital or developmental misalignment or deformation of the hip joint. An individual can have hip dysplasia in either one or both hip joints. There are a number of factors that can be attributed to the development of hip dysplasia in utereo, at birth or during childhood and adolescence. Hip dysplasia can be passed down in families. According to some statistics, the incidence of hip dysplasia affects a first-born child at a rate of 80%. This is true in the case of congenital hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia can be related to the high levels of the hormone, relaxin, in the mother during pregnancy and birth, or to a difficult presentation of the baby at birth.
Hip dysplasia has also been known to develop in babies and young children if the child is swaddled in such a way that puts undue, consistent strain on his or her hip joint. This includes babies and young toddlers who are kept in car seats and baby seats that place strain on delicate, newly formed hip joints. This condition is highly correlated with arthritic pain, a limping gate and difficult mobility in later life. Because a dislocated or deformed hip joint can by caused by a number of different factors, it is highly advisable to seek the advice of your family doctor or specialist before embarking on your own physical therapy program, including Yoga postures, to relieve the pain, inflammation and stiffness that is caused by dysplasia in the hip joints.
Practicing gentle Yoga postures on a regular basis that improve mobility and strengthen the hip joints, will help to ameliorate some of the pain and discomfort of hip dysplasia. Additionally, eating an anti-inflammatory diet that includes green tea, raw ginger, turmeric root, garlic, and plenty of Omega 3 oils, will help to reduce pain and inflammation throughout the body, including the hip joints. An anti-inflammatory diet will also help to improve heart health and will lower the incidence of adult-onset diabetes. However, please be advised that even with a regular program of hip strengthening Yoga postures and an anti-inflammatory diet, you may still need surgery in order to correct the underlying problem.
* Wide Angle Child’s Pose
Wide Angle Child’s Pose is a very relaxing, restorative Yoga posture that is accessible to most Yoga students. This posture will help to release tension in the groin, inner thighs and hip flexor muscles. Wide Angle Child’s Pose also helps to elongate the entire spine and release tension throughout the upper back, shoulders, neck, and thoracic spine when the arms are fully extended. This posture may also be practiced with the knees together, although it may be more difficult to do so for those students who have a larger body and tighter knee joints and will not give you quite as much extension as Wide Angle Child’s Pose throughout the upper torso, including the throat, neck and thoracic spine areas. To practice Wide Angle Child’‘s Pose, come to a kneeling position on your Yoga mat.
If your knees are sensitive, place a folded blanket underneath you on your Yoga mat for comfort and support. Spread your knees so that they are comfortably wide apart. With your next exhale, bend forward onto your Yoga mat and fully extend your arms in front of you. For more extension of the upper torso, cup your hands on the mat and pull very gently until you feel a good stretch throughout your upper back, the front of your torso, the underside of your arms, and your inner groin muscles. Hold Wide Angle Child’s Pose for three to five complete breaths, and then release the posture and return to a comfortable seated position on your Yoga mat. Repeat Wide Angle Child’s Pose two more times when you are ready.