Potential Risk of Head Injury in Yoga

While yoga is typically viewed as a peaceful, low-impact form of exercise, there’s still potential for injury – sometimes even severe injuries such as brain injury.

Read More: Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney in Wisconsin

“The past decade or so has revealed that yoga, contrary to its public image as a source of universal healing and balance, has some shocking hidden risks,” according to a blog post on Peaceful Dumpling. “Sure, we yogis run into strains, bruises, and sometimes the unlucky sprain—but what athletic activity doesn’t come with those mild yet unpleasant side effects?”

Some of the risks when participating in yoga include dislocations, back injuries, fractures, stroke and head injuries, to name a few.

“When William J. Broad published  The Science of Yoga: The Risks and The Rewards  in 2012, he experienced backlash for exploring the risks of more serious injuries including strokes. In a related  article for the New York Times , Broad highlights that poses in which the neck is compressed, sharply bent, or overextended present the risk for nerve damage, which could lead to mild, temporary symptoms as well as more serious, permanent damage,” the article reads. “In particular, headstand, shoulder stand, and deep spinal twists (in which the neck is overextended to one side) can deprive nerves of oxygen for extended periods of time while also putting vertebrae in a vulnerable position.”

The results from more serious nerve injuries can be tragic and life-altering. One 34-year-old woman who practices yoga was in a headstand for five minutes and then felt a sharp pain in her neck. Eventually her right hand became numb.

“As time passed, and the woman underwent multiple doctor visits, her pain worsened, and she experienced paralysis on her left side accompanied by nausea and headaches,” the article reads. “Ultimately, a medical team diagnosed severe blockage in the basilar artery, which was cutting off blood supply to her inner brain. After intensive therapy, she recovered some control over the left side of her body, but still experienced some difficulty using her left hand.”

Some poses that can potentially cause injury are even basic yoga moves, such as the cobra and the upward-facing dog. These are actually backbends, but pose a potential risk for overextending the neck.

“This is why it’s important to practice yoga–even the milder poses–with a special awareness of the neck and spine,” the article reads.