The Effect Of Iyengar Yoga Therapy For Chronic Low Back Pain

According to Kimberly Williams, Ph.D., a certified Iyengar yoga instructor and research assistant professor of community medicine at the University of West Virginia in Morgantown, W.Va., 80 percent of adults suffer from chronic lower back pain. It's the fifth most frequent reason that people go to doctors, and it's the most expensive muscular skeletal disorder.

Research

In 2009, research at the University of West Virginia was conducted over a 24-week period to determine whether there is a positive relationship between Iyengar yoga and the relief of chronic lower back pain. Subjects ranged from 23 to 66 years old. It was found that people in the study who engaged in Iyengar yoga reported less "functional disability, pain and depression." They also reported decreased intake of medications when compared to the control group. After six months, 68 percent of the subjects reported they were still involved in Iyengar yoga.

Significance

Iyengar yoga, based on the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar, focuses on precise body alignment and position. It relies on props, including chairs, bolsters, blankets, blocks and belts. These props make it easier for people with low back issues to get into the yoga positions without experiencing further pain or injury.

Postures

Forward folding, one of the Iyengar yoga postures, is more manageable, attainable and beneficial when you have chronic lower back pain. You can use at least one block on the floor directly in front of you as a prop when you bend forward. As time progresses, you may find that you need fewer blocks or no blocks. The Down Dog pose can be modified by standing arm's length away from a wall, then bending forward until your hands touch the wall. This posture, even modified, can strengthen, lengthen and soothe your lower back.

Benefits

Iyengar yoga can provide more than relief from your chronic lower back pain. You may find that you experience less stress in your daily life, have more range of motion and flexibility in all parts of your body and are more relaxed and positive in general.

Warning

Before signing up for an Iyengar yoga class, be sure to consult a medical professional. It's not difficult to find an Iyengar yoga teacher, but it's important to make sure that the teacher has the experience and qualifications that match your needs. It's also important that you accurately describe your physical problems and limitations to the instructor before the first class.