Yoga and Low Back Pain

03 Apr Yoga and Low Back Pain

• There is evidence that yoga may be useful for certain people with low back pain.
• Yoga has been shown to be superior to self-care (avoiding sedentariness, improving postural hygiene standards, promoting a healthy life, …), but not superior to other forms of low back pain exercise.
• Minor injuries may occur, as in the practice of any exercise, but relevant injuries are exceptional.
• Yoga classes have an associated economic cost, although yoga can be done, once learned, by the individual without requiring an associated expense.

Yoga is a concept that encompasses different practices linked to the oriental philosophy, which includes meditation, breathing control, and the realization of specific physical postures. Some yoga styles are very gentle and only involve small movements, while others are very vigorous, combining aerobic activity, strength, endurance and balance and balance exercises. This variety allows people who have low back pain to choose the style that best suits their characteristics, but it is difficult to make general recommendations about yoga, since their practice can vary considerably.

There are numerous scientific studies that evaluate the effectiveness of yoga practice in patients suffering from low back pain. Several systematic reviews of this literature have concluded that yoga provides a significant improvement in pain, physical function and overall improvement, both in the short and long term, but with different levels of evidence. No significant impact has been found with quality of life associated with health.

In the surveys conducted it has been observed that approximately 20% of yoga practitioners can suffer some minor injury of minor relevance. Important injuries are exceptional (<1%).

It can not be said that yoga practice is better than performing other exercises such as walking, swimming, performing specific spinal exercises (core exercises, lumbar stabilization), but if it is superior to the spine school or self-care Sedentarism, improve postural hygiene standards, promote a healthy life, …).

The realization of yoga classes has an associated economic cost. Although its benefit is recognized in patients suffering from low back pain, it is not considered as a health intervention, and therefore is not usually covered by public or private health guarantors. Once learned, the cost can be very discreet, as it does not require specific equipment, and can be done at home.

The practice of yoga can not only benefit people with low back pain, it can also be useful for other ailments of the musculoskeletal system.