Study Shows Yoga Help Ease Lower Back Pain

According to an study published in the scientific journal Spine, by Williams, Kimberly; Abildso, Christiaan; Steinberg, Lois; Doyle, Edward; Epstein, Beverly; Smith, David; Hobbs, Gerry; Gross, Richard; Kelley, George; Cooper, Linda , people who practiced YOGA were able to ease their lower back pain. (The study is published in the September issue of Spine)

The Study

90 people participated (ages 23-66) divided in 2 groups. Participants had mild to moderate functional disability due to lower back pain. 43people did a 90-minute session of yoga twice a week for six months. The rest did not (although they continued with any type of treatment they had)

The Results

At the 3 and at 6 months people of both groups (proactising and no practicing YYOGA) were asked for pain level, difficulty performing physical tasks and pain medications being taken. The results showed a significant advance in the yoga practicing group with less pain, less medication being taken and an increase in the ability to perform tasks

Yoga and Pilates are increasingly being touted for chronic low back pain. Lower back pain may cause people to stop exercising causing further problems to their back. Lack of activity may cause the back muscles to become weaker and thus ready to "produce"" more chronic back pain.Yoga can help to increase muscle strength especially the back muscles which stabilizes the trunk and decreases the load on the spine

According to recent statistics lower back pain is getting worse worldwide an this very true in the US. 20-25% of medical claims and more than $34 billion in annual direct medical costs are realted to back pain issues.

Although strengthening the back is important, the spiritual and psychological aspects of yoga has not been explored as a way to decrease lower back pain. But many poeple believe that there is some additional benefits of Yoga in this regard.

Source:
Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Efficacy of Iyengar Yoga Therapy on Chronic Low Back Pain