Study Shows Yoga May Ease Lower Back Pain (Chicago Tribune)

This article from the Chicago Tribune reports on one of the recent medical studies of yoga showing the effects yoga practice can be had in easing medical conditions; in this case, back pain and lower back pain. The report came out in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a well known medical journal, and detailed a study in which patients were split into three groups. One group performed a gentle style of yoga known as Viniyoga, another that did general aerobics, strength training, and stretching, and a third that was mailed a self-care book on backpain with various recommendation.

 Now, of course, the group reported more pain relief then the self-help book, which isn't too much of surprise. Many people will not allow themselves to do the practices they need so any form of tracked attendence will make a difference in recovery, although it is encouraging to see that the yoga group had a continued decrease in back pain over the entire period. There was not a major statistical difference from the conventional exercise group, but I believe further studies will show a difference. Yoga exercises focus particular attention on the spine and limbering the entire body and mind which is not really the forte of many of the more aerobic and gym style workout routines. The focus on relaxation and becoming aware of the body is also one of the key factors that distinguishes yoga from many other forms of physical culture.

And even though studies may not always detail the wonderful effects yoga can have on back issues, there are many people who have found that yoga works for them, such as Karyn Grob who is mentioned in this story. She did not find relief with muscle relaxants or physical therapy and it was ultimately yoga which helped bring relief. Some of us at YogaWisdom have also seen it in our own lives with our friends and family who have had back pain and found some relief through the practices of meditation and attention to the body that gentle yoga practices can bring.