Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Yoga Eases Back Pain

Yoga may be the best prescription for lower back pain. Researchers at West Virginia University assigned 90 people with chronic lower back pain to one of two groups. Half the people took six months Iyengar yoga classes while the half received conventional care. After six months the yoga students had less pain and disability. The benefits lasted at least six months beyond the classes.
An added bonus was the improved mood that accompanied the yoga. Scores on a depression scale were better than those in the standard care group. This form of yoga emphasizes body alignment and support in the proper postures. People with back pain should make sure that their yoga instructors have experience in therapeutic yoga before enrolling in a class.
[Spine, September 2009]

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
4.5- 2 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.