Could someone give me advice please on whether the Gokhale Method is safe for me? I 'm 62 and have a grade 1 slippage where L5 has slipped forward and S1 is pushed out behind, and the disc material has has almost disappeared. Since finding this out two and a half years ago I do back strengthening and abdominal exercises and a few minutes of traction every day and now have virtually no discomfort - only from jarring when walking on uneven ground. My objective is to maintain as healthy a back as possible for as long as possible. Is it OK to tip my pelvis, considering my tailbone already sticks out further than it should?
Spondylolisthesis at L5/S1
March 13, 2019 - 4:29am | 3 posts
#1
Spondylolisthesis at L5/S1
4 days 20 hours ago
08/13/2014 - 3:12pm
Dory- There is nothing that we teach in the Gokhale Method that would not be appropriate for you. In fact learning how to engage you inner corset will help with the discomfort you feel when your spine is jarred. It can also help preserve the health of your other spinal discs.
That being said, when you mention "tipping the pelvis" I would like to caution you that we do not teach our students to antevert or tip the pelvis by sticking their behind behind them as this can strain the lower back. It is done by lengthening and tractioning the muscles around the area, strengthening the muscles that support the optimal pelvic position and by doing some secific stretches to loosen the structures around the L5-S1 area.
My advice would be to find a Gokhale Method teacher in your area and arrange an Initial Consultation or sign up for a Foundations Course. The book can teach you alot but when the spine is compromised its best to work with someone who can guide you one on one to make sure you are doing everything correctly and can help you with any issues or questions that might arise for you as you learn what we teach.
Cynthia Rose
Gokhale Method Teacher
NYC area
5 years 7 months ago
03/13/2019 - 2:16am
Thanks for your reply Cynthia, it does give me some reassurance. I can see from the book that the exercises are stronger than the ones I've been doing so that would be a good starting point.. Sorry I should have said I am in southern France so I don't think there are any Gokhale practitioners near me, my question should perhaps have been, is there any harm I can do to myself using the book only?