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Yoga Relieves Chronic Lower Back Pain, Study Suggests
Iyengar Yoga can be practiced by anyone regardless of age or ability
October 2009
American researchers studying people with chronic lower back problems have
discovered Iyengar Yoga is better at overcoming pain and depression than conventional medical treatments.
An exhaustive $400,000 study was conducted by Dr. Kimberly Williams and her colleagues from West Virginia University. Lower back pain, they say, accounts for $34 billion worth of medical expenses every year in the U.S.
The landmark study evaluated 90 people with mild-to-moderate functional disability due to chronic lower back pain. Participants were randomly assigned to either take yoga classes or receive conventional medical therapy.
The study found the yoga group experienced less pain, less depression, and better mobility than the control group which received medical therapy.
Clinical Research Report
Williams says the study was the most rigorous scientific evaluation of its kind ever done. She told media reporters that:
› "The yoga group had less pain, less functional disability and less depression compared with the control group."
› "These clinically significant changes were (still apparent) six months after the intervention."
The yoga group was taught by Iyengar certified instructors for 90 minutes twice a week for 24 weeks. Their classes included yoga postures that targeted back pain.
Participants from both the yoga group and those receiving standard medical therapy were monitored for 6 months following treatment.
The results showed that:
› At the end of 24 weeks of treatment significantly greater reductions in disability and pain were observed in the yoga group.
› A notably higher percentage of yoga group members reported clinical improvement at both the mid-point (12 weeks) as well as at the end of treatment (24 weeks).
› The yoga group reported significantly less depression and reduced use of pain medication.
Williams concluded that Iyengar yoga improves function, reduces discomfort, and helps control depression in adults with lower back pain.
Iyengar Yoga is popular around the world and can be practiced by anybody regardless of physical or mental ability. It emphasizes postures and breathing that promote strength, flexibility and balance.
The name Iyengar comes from B.K.S. Iyengar who was born in India in 1918 and still manages the Ramamani Memorial Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune, India with his son and daughter.
There are an estimated 2,000 certified Iyengar Yoga instructors in the world today.
Corinne Skrobot in Vancouver is one of them.
Source
Original article by Dr. Catharine Paddock
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