Does Yoga Help Low Back Pain?

“You are only as old as your spine is flexible.”

– Ancient Chinese Proverb

Historically, yoga has been divided into several categories—pre-classical, classical, post-classical, and modern. The pre-classical through post-classical periods of yoga were centered around simulation of archetypes, breathing, and mental awakening and enlightenment through mindfulness. The modern period of yoga began in the late 1800’s with Hatha yoga gaining prominence in the 1920’s and 30’s and its association with Krishnamacharya and three of his pupils – B.K.S. Iyengar, T.K.V. Desikachar, and Pattabhi Jois. Fast forward one hundred years later to 2018, and many different types of yoga exist today. Vinyasa yoga is one of the most common forms of yoga practiced in the United States. This style of yoga links breath with movement through various postures (asanas). A well-balanced yoga practice involves movement of the spine in all directions (flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation).

An estimated 80% of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is triggered by a number of factors including, an injury, bad posture, lifting incorrectly, degenerative disease, slipped disc, scoliosis, and more. Most cases of acute low back pain will improve within a few weeks or months, but some people experience chronic pain.

When you have an injury and seek medical attention, have you ever noticed that physicians have specialties that look at body parts independently? For example, you might see a different Orthopedic doctor for your hand than one who treats your shoulder and elbow. That’s because traditional Western medicine diagnoses and treats a patient’s symptoms by evaluating parts of the body separately, rather than the whole person. Western medicine is known for using manufactured medications, surgeries, and modern technologies to diagnose and treat. In recent years, this concept is shifting towards a more holistic approach. Today, healthcare providers are completing their training programs with a better understanding of the body’s need for movement, especially the spine. It has become even more prevalent that complimentary and alternative treatment options are an important part of any therapy plan. For acute injuries involving the lower back, it is now almost ubiquitous that patients will be referred out for physical therapy or chiropractic treatment. Home exercise plans are encouraged, however the kinds of exercise plans recommended remains elusive for many healthcare practitioners.