Perhaps you don't think that you are the type of person who does yoga. But if you have been suffering from back pain, you might reconsider. Pain relief is just one of the benefits of practicing yoga. You might also experience an improvement in your mental and emotional health that causes you to be relaxed and focused for the demands of your busy life.
Back Pain Defined
Most people experience back pain at least once in their lifetime, and it is one of the most common reasons that people visit the doctor or miss work. If you have back pain, you may experience muscle aches, pain that radiates down your leg, shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility in your back and the inability to stand upright. Back pain can result from a number of structural problems including bulging or ruptured disks, sciatica, arthritis, skeletal irregularities or osteoporosis.
Proven Benefits of Yoga
In a study published in the September 2009 issue of "Spine," researchers found yoga improves functioning disability, the intensity of back pain and depression in adults suffering from chronic low back pain. Participants were divided into a two groups. Participants in one participated in 24 weeks of bi-weekly Iyengar yoga classes tailored for chronic low back pain. The control group did not participate in yoga classes. Participants in the yoga group reported significant clinical improvements at 12 and 24 weeks when compared to the control group. Researchers also found that the yoga group displayed an increased tendency for reducing their pain medication usage. Yoga, when combined with conventional treatment, can have a positive impact on back pain as well as improve mental and emotional functioning.
Whole Body Conditioning
While yoga has proven useful for back pain, it also benefits the entire body. Yoga postures require you to engage many other parts of your body, resulting in strengthening, stretching and toning. For example, the downward-facing dog pose stretches your shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches and hands while simultaneously calming the mind and relieving mild depression. Practicing yoga cultivates body awareness of the stress and strain that could result in back pain and tension, and this awareness allows you to release tension through regular practice sessions.
Caution
While yoga is helpful in treating back pain, talk with your doctor before you begin practicing. Some postures may not be suitable for people suffering from back pain, and your. health care professional can counsel you about the most appropriate yoga for you. Consider enlisting the aid of an experienced yoga teacher, who can tailor practice sequences based upon your needs. If you have severe back problems, it may be desirable to work with a yoga teacher for one-on-one sessions that will provide specialized training.
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