Are There Risks or Disadvantages to Yoga Therapy?
What are the disadvantages of yoga therapy?
The Quick Answer
Like any physical or therapeutic intervention, yoga therapy carries risks if not practiced correctly. The most common adverse effects are muscle soreness, minor sprains, or fatigue. Working with a qualified therapist minimizes these risks.
Why We Ask This
The 'yoga is essentially harmless' myth can be dangerous. People may push too hard or practice incorrectly, leading to injury.
The Practical Science
A study in ScienceDirect identified the 'three most common adverse effects' as: pain/soreness, muscle injuries (sprains), and fatigue. This underscores the need for a qualified therapist who understands load and progression, rather than self-prescribing videos.
In Clinical Practice
Listen to your body. 'No pain, no gain' does not apply here. If you feel sharp pain or extreme fatigue after a session, communicate this to your therapist immediately so the protocol can be adjusted.
References & Context
Benefits and adverse effects associated with yoga practice"The three most common adverse effects of yoga reported were: (i) pain and soreness (i.e., 'I feel pain in upper and lower limbs' or 'I feel low back pain'), (ii) muscle injuries (most often sprains) and (iii) fatigue."