Chronic low back pain is a widespread condition, one were exercise would seem contraindicated. Yet, L. Susan Wieland, a professor at the University of Maryland, suggests otherwise, noting, “for some patients suffering from chronic nonspecific, low, back pain, yoga may be worth considering…” This came after Weiland reviewed a dozen studies, covering a thousand plus individuals, suffering from the condition. Comparisons drawn between those trying physical therapy, yoga, or patient education, over numerous months revealed small to moderate gains, in the realm of pain and function, in the yoga group.

Key Takeaways:

• For people experiencing low back pain, the thought of exercise often seems daunting. But yoga may be a natural fit in the quest to relieve an aching back, a new review indicates.
• The findings come from an analysis of 12 studies that included more than 1,000 participants with lower back pain. The studies compared yoga to physical therapy or patient education.
• About 80 percent of Americans will have back pain at some point in their lives, but treatment can be a challenge. For millions of people, chronic back pain affects their sleep, and their ability to do daily tasks and exercise.

“There was some evidence that yoga led to small improvements in pain, and small to moderate improvements in back function at three and six months.”

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2017/02/10/Low-back-pain-Relax-breathe-and-try-yoga/1061486753431/