Can yoga cure chronic back pain

Yoga eases moderate to severe chronic low back pain

At a Glance

Researchers found that yoga was as effective as standard physical therapy for treating moderate to severe chronic low back pain in people in underserved communities.
The results suggest yoga may be useful as a treatment option for people with chronic low back pain.

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Low back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp sensation that leaves you incapacitated. The pain can begin abruptly as a result of an accident or lifting something heavy, or it can develop over time due to age-related changes of the spine. For many people, low back pain persists longer than 3 months (chronic pain). For about 20%, chronic low back pain persists for more than one year.

Recent studies in people with mild to moderate chronic low back pain suggest that a carefully adapted set of yoga postures may help reduce pain and improve the ability to walk and move. Yoga stems from ancient Indian philosophy. As practiced today, it typically combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. Most studies of yoga have been done with people from middle-class, white backgrounds. However, people who are from economically disadvantaged communities are disproportionally affected by chronic low back pain.

To study whether yoga helps alleviate pain and improve movement for people from underserved communities, a team led by Dr. Robert Saper at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center studied 320 predominantly low-income, racially diverse adults with moderate to severe chronic low back pain. The researchers carried out a noninferiority trial, which is designed to assess whether a new treatment (yoga) is as effective as a current treatment (physical therapy). The study was funded by NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Results were published online on June 20, 2017, in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

The participants were randomly divided into three treatment groups. One group received 12 weekly yoga classes designed specifically for people with chronic back pain; one received 15 physical therapy visits over 12 weeks; and one was given an educational book and newsletters about self-care for chronic low back pain. The researchers then continued to track the participants for an additional 40-week maintenance phase. During this phase, people in the yoga and physical therapy groups were randomly assigned to either continue to practice at home or with a professional—at yoga classes or physical therapy sessions.

The researchers found that all three groups reported improvement in physical function and pain reduction. However, people in the yoga and physical therapy treatment groups were significantly more likely than those in the education-only group to stop taking pain relievers after one year. These findings suggest that a structured yoga program may be a reasonable alternative to physical therapy for people with chronic low back pain.

“There are now a number of studies, including ours, that show that yoga is effective for chronic low back pain, but until ours those studies included mostly white and middle-class individuals,” Saper explains. “Chronic low back pain disproportionately impacts those who are economically disadvantaged. Therefore, we feel that it was important to test whether the yoga would be received well by an underserved population as well as being effective.”

—by Tianna Hicklin, Ph.D.

Lower back pain affects millions of people in the United States, and for some, the pain becomes chronic, preventing them from performing daily tasks. Could yoga help to treat this condition? A new review investigates.

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A new Cochrane review investigates the health benefits of yoga for non-specific chronic lower back pain.

Lower back pain is a very common condition that can sometimes become disabling. Between 2004-2008, lower back pain accounted for 2.06 million visits to the Emergency Department in the U.S.

While some people recover quickly from such an episode, for others, the discomfort can last up to 3 months or even longer. If the pain – clinically described as occurring between the lower rib and the gluteal folds – lasts for more than 3 months, it is considered “chronic.”

Chronic back pain can sometimes be caused by diseases such as radiculopathy, a common neurological disorder, or spinal stenosis, a condition in which the spaces in the backbone narrow down, therefore putting pressure on the spinal cord.

Most of the time, however, the cause of chronic lower back pain remains unknown. In these cases, it is considered “non-specific.” Options for treating chronic non-specific back pain are limited, often involving self-care and over-the-counter medication, such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatory drugs.

The new review, published in the Cochrane Library, uses existing research to investigate the effectiveness of yoga for treating chronic, non-specific lower back pain.

The meta-analysis pooled the results of 12 randomized controlled trials carried out in the U.S., India, and the United Kingdom, and it included a total of 1,080 participants aged between 34-48 years.

The trials considered compared yoga with non-exercise interventions, including self-care education, an exercise intervention, a combination of both, or no intervention at all.

Three of the studies compared yoga with back-focused exercise, while seven trials compared it with no exercise.

I bought this and two other books by Dr Fishman. Unfortunately two of the books were exactly the same. I think this book was also published with another name.

Five stars for the material. I like how each separate back issue had its own recommended poses. Far better than having a doctor tell me “Do yoga” in a vague, undefined manner. Why only four stars? I agree with some of the other reviewers that the lady pictured in the book is often doing a pretty advanced version of the pose. When I googled Dr Fishman I found a paper he published regarding side plank for curvatures in the spine. In that paper numerous modifications were offered. Really helpful. If he ever republishes this book it would be great if he did the same, add in all the modifications he knows.

This is the sort of book that can help an advanced beginner craft a personal physical therapy using yoga. For the beginner, beginner? I suggest taking the book with you to a yoga teacher. Pay for a couple private lessons. Have them teach you modifications and prep poses that will get you up to snuff. Then do what’s in the book once you can.

Why it’s beneficial

If you’re dealing with back pain, yoga may be just what the doctor ordered. Yoga is a mind-body therapy that’s often recommended to treat not only back pain but the stress that accompanies it. The appropriate poses can relax and strengthen your body.

Practicing yoga for even a few minutes a day can help you gain more awareness of your body. This will help you notice where you’re holding tension and where you have imbalances. You can use this awareness to bring yourself into balance and alignment.

Keep reading to learn more about how these poses may be useful in treating back pain.

1. Cat-Cow

This gentle, accessible backbend stretches and mobilizes the spine. Practicing this pose also stretches your torso, shoulders, and neck.

Muscles worked:

erector spinae
rectus abdominis
triceps
serratus anterior
gluteus maximus

To do this:

Get on all fours.
Place your wrists underneath your shoulders and your knees underneath your hips.
Balance your weight evenly between all four points.
Inhale as you look up and let your stomach drop down toward the mat.
Exhale as you tuck your chin into your chest, draw your navel toward your spine, and arch your spine toward the ceiling.
Maintain awareness of your body as you do this movement.
Focus on noting and releasing tension in your body.
Continue this fluid movement for at least 1 minute.

2. Downward-Facing Dog

This traditional forward bend can be restful and rejuvenating. Practicing this pose can help relieve back pain and sciatica. It helps to work out imbalances in the body and improves strength.

Muscles worked:

hamstrings
deltoids
gluteus maximus
triceps
quadriceps

To do this:

Get on all fours.
Place your hands in alignment under your wrists and your knees under your hips.
Press into your hands, tuck your toes under, and lift up your knees.
Bring your sitting bones up toward the ceiling.
Keep a slight bend in your knees and lengthen your spine and tailbone.
Keep your heels slightly off the ground.
Press firmly into your hands.
Distribute your weight evenly between both sides of your body, paying attention to the position of your hips and shoulders.
Keep your head in line with your upper arms or with your chin tucked in slightly.
Hold this pose for up to 1 minute.

3. Extended Triangle

This classic standing posture may help alleviate backache, sciatica, and neck pain. It stretches your spine, hips, and groin, and strengthens your shoulders, chest, and legs. It may also help relieve stress and anxiety.

Muscles worked:

latissimus dorsi
internal oblique
gluteus maximus and medius
hamstrings
quadriceps

To do this:

From standing, walk your feet about 4 feet apart.
Turn your right toes to face forward, and your left toes out at an angle.
Lift your arms parallel to the floor with your palms facing down.
Tilt forward and hinge at your right hip to come forward with your arm and torso.
Bring your hand to your leg, a yoga block, or onto the floor.
Extend your left arm up toward the ceiling.
Look up, forward, or down.
Hold this pose for up to 1 minute.
Repeat on the opposite side.

4. Sphinx Pose

This gentle backbend strengthens your spine and buttocks. It stretches your chest, shoulders, and abdomen. It may also help relieve stress.

Muscles worked:

erector spinae
gluteal muscles
pectoralis major
trapezius
latissimus dorsi

To do this:

Lie on your stomach with your legs extended behind you.
Engage the muscles of your lower back, buttocks, and thighs.
Bring your elbows under your shoulders with your forearms on the floor and your palms facing down.
Slowly lift up your upper torso and head.
Gently lift and engage your lower abdominals to support your back.
Ensure that you’re lifting up through your spine and out through the crown of your head, instead of collapsing into your lower back.
Keep your gaze straight ahead as you fully relax in this pose, while at the same time remaining active and engaged.
Stay in this pose for up to 5 minutes.

5. Cobra Pose

This gentle backbend stretches your abdomen, chest, and shoulders. Practicing this pose strengthens your spine and may soothe sciatica. It may also help to relieve stress and fatigue that can accompany back pain.

Muscles worked:

hamstrings
gluteus maximus
deltoids
triceps
serratus anterior

To do this:

Lie on your stomach with your hands under your shoulders and your fingers facing forward.
Draw your arms in tightly to your chest. Don’t allow your elbows to go out to the side.
Press into your hands to slowly lift your head, chest, and shoulders.
You can lift partway, halfway, or all the way up.
Maintain a slight bend in your elbows.
You can let your head drop back to deepen the pose.
Release back down to your mat on an exhale.
Bring your arms by your side and rest your head.
Slowly move your hips from side to side to release tension from your lower back.

6. Locust Pose

This gentle backbend may help relieve lower back pain and fatigue. It strengthens the back torso, arms, and legs.

Muscles worked:

trapezius
erector spinae
gluteus maximus
triceps

To do this:

Lie on your stomach with your arms next to your torso and your palms facing up.
Touch your big toes together and turn out your heels to the side.
Place your forehead lightly on the floor.
Slowly lift your head, chest, and arms partway, halfway, or all the way up.
You may bring your hands together and interlace your fingers behind your back.
To deepen the pose, lift your legs.
Look straight ahead or slightly upward as you lengthen the back of your neck.
Remain in this pose for up to 1 minute.
Rest before repeating the pose.

7. Bridge Pose

This is a backbend and inversion that can be stimulating or restorative. It stretches the spine and it may relieve backaches and headaches.

Muscles worked:

rectus and transverse abdominis
gluteus muscles
erector spinae
hamstrings

To do this:

Lie on your back with your knees bent and heels drawn into your sitting bones.
Rest your arms alongside your body.
Press your feet and arms into the floor as you lift your tailbone up.
Continue lifting until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
Leave your arms as they are, bringing your palms together with interlaced fingers under your hips, or placing your hands under your hips for support.
Hold this pose for up to 1 minute.
Release by slowly rolling your spine back down to the floor, vertebra by vertebra.
Drop your knees in together.
Relax and breathe deeply in this position.

8. Half Lord of the Fishes

This twisting pose energizes your spine and helps to relieve backache. It stretches your hips, shoulders, and neck. This pose can help alleviate fatigue and stimulate your internal organs.

Muscles worked:

rhomboids
serratus anterior
erector spinae
pectoralis major
psoas

To do this:

From a seated position, draw your right foot in close to your body.
Bring your left foot to the outside of your leg.
Lengthen your spine as you twist your body to the left.
Take your left hand to the floor behind you for support.
Move your right upper arm to the outside of your left thigh, or wrap your elbow around your left knee.
Try to keep your hips square to deepen the twist in your spine.
Turn your gaze to look over either shoulder.
Hold this pose for up to 1 minute.
Repeat on the other side.

9. Two-Knee Spinal Twist

This restorative twist promotes movement and mobility in the spine and back. It stretches your spine, back, and shoulders. Practicing this pose can help relieve pain and stiffness in your back and hips.

Muscles worked:

erector spinae
rectus abdominis
trapezius
pectoralis major

To do this:

Lie on your back with your knees drawn into your chest and your arms extended to the side.
Slowly lower your legs to the left side while keeping your knees as close together as possible.
You may place a pillow under both knees or in between your knees.
You can use your left hand to gently press down on your knees.
Keep your neck straight, or turn it to either side.
Focus on breathing deeply in this position.
Hold this pose for at least 30 seconds.
Repeat on the opposite side.

10. Child’s Pose

This gentle forward fold is the perfect way to relax and release tension in your neck and back. Your spine is lengthened and stretched. Child’s Pose also stretches your hips, thighs, and ankles. Practicing this pose can help relieve stress and fatigue.

Muscles worked:

gluteus maximus
rotator cuff muscles
hamstrings
spinal extensors

To do this:

Sit back on your heels with your knees together.
You can use a bolster or blanket under your thighs, torso, or forehead for support.
Bend forward and walk your hands in front of you.
Rest your forehead gently on the floor.
Keep your arms extended in front of you or bring your arms alongside your body with your palms facing up.
Focus on releasing tension in your back as your upper body falls heavy into your knees.
Remain in this pose for up to 5 minutes.

Does it really work?

One small study from 2017 assessed the effects of either yoga practice or physical therapy over the course of one year. The participants had chronic back pain and showed similar improvement in pain and activity limitation. Both groups were less likely to use pain medications after three months.

Separate research from 2017 found that people who practiced yoga showed small to moderate decreases in pain intensity in the short term. Practice was also found to slightly increase participants’ short- and long-term function.

Though the research is hopeful, further studies are needed to confirm and expand upon these findings.

The bottom line

Although recent research supports yoga practice as a way to treat back pain, it may not be appropriate for everyone. Be sure to talk with your doctor before starting any new yoga or exercise program. They can help you identify any possible risks and help monitor your progress.

You can start a home practice with as little as 10 minutes per day. You can use books, articles, and online classes to guide your practice. Once you learn the basics, you can intuitively create your own sessions.

If you prefer more hands-on learning, you may wish to take classes at a studio. Be sure to seek out classes and teachers who can cater to your specific needs.