Yoga for Your Back Pain

Chronic back pain is one of those conditions for which there are many, many, treatments – and this is an indication of the lack of success most of them have. Current thinking is that, for uncomplicated back pain, there should be no bed rest but plenty of gentle exercise (walking), with occasional help from pain killers like ibuprofen (Advil®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

A newly-reported study shows that yoga (at least, one form of it) is more effective than aerobic exercise in reducing chronic back pain. Over 100 patients with chronic back pain were divided into three groups. One did a gentle form of yoga – viniyoga – for twelve weeks, while the second group did aerobic exercise, and the third received a self-help book. After 12 weeks the yoga group was significantly better off than either of the other two groups, and 14 weeks after the end of the study the yoga group was still ahead of the self-help book group. The yoga group used less painkiller medication and visited their doctors less.

The study authors believe that yoga, because it emphasizes the mind-body connection, is more effective in this condition. They don’t know if other yoga regimens might have different results, however. Some styles, such as Bikram and vinyasa, might be too vigorous, they say.