Astounding Research – Yoga for Low Back Pain

Yoga relieves Chronic Pain

Teachers and practitioners often swear by the pain-relieving benefits of Yoga for the Low Back. Due to an increase in research into these claims, the medical community is exploring Yoga’s efficacy in the treatment for Chronic Pain. An example of this is the ground-breaking study, published by the American College of Physicians. It is called “Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians“.

The study describes Yoga, exercise and massage as more efficacious in the treatment of Low Back Pain than pharmacological interventions. It concludes, “given that most patients with acute or subacute Low Back Pain improve over time, regardless of treatment, clinicians and patients should select nonpharmacologic treatment.”

Most likely, this conclusion was due in part to the risks associated with certain pain-relieving medications. As Yoga teachers, it’s not our place or our intention to influence a course of treatment suggested by one’s doctor. However, it is empowering for teachers and students alike to know that there is real pain-relieving potential in our own bodies.

Keeping our Spine Mobile

Since life has many twists and turns, our spine is bound to get bent out of shape from time to time. A healthy spine can and should move in all directions. But sometimes our day-to-day requirements over- and under-emphasize certain ranges of motion.

For example, a gentleman who worked at a desk job all day began frequenting my lunchtime Corporate Yoga class. He told me he had thrown his back out playing with his young kids. After a long day at work, he came home to his kids who were excited to see him. His kids ran up to tackle and hug him. When he bent, twisted and lifted up his kids, he tweaked his Low Back. The stresses of a long-held posture at work combined with sudden jarring movements was too much for his spine to handle.

After two months of daily stretching and Gentle Yoga, his back began to feel normal again. He’s kept up with his simple regimen of tension-taming Yoga. Now his long days at the computer don’t impede on playtime with his kids. This brings joy to his whole family.

Yoga… of the Gentle kind

As a way to manage day-to-day backaches, while preventing or recovering from injuries, Yoga can be as simple as a few counter-poses to what we do all day. It doesn’t need to be super active, hot, sweaty, or pretzel-like to keep our Low Back feeling good for the long-haul.

If you’re experiencing Low Back Pain, I encourage you to watch the video below. You’ll learn a few things and can start feeling better again!

Quick and Effective Yoga “Band-aid” for Low Back Pain with Justine Shelton, E-RYT500

Can’t lie flat on the floor or on your belly because of Low Back Pain? Certified Viniyoga Therapist, Justine Shelton, explains what is happening in your spine when you are in those positions. In addition, Justine shares how to RELIEVE Low Back Pain and bring healing to that area. Lastly, she discusses why certain Yoga movements are beneficial for your Low Back and why some are not.

We have created Wellness Practices for Low Back Care that include lots of great information. Our hope is that you become empowered and motivated to care for your Low Back.

Take care,
Sherry

Gentle Yoga Therapy with Justine: Low Back Focus

Chair Yoga Class: Banishing Back Pain Naturally

Online Workshops related to this Topic:

Online Workshop: I’ve Got Your Back! Daily Yoga for Low Back Care

This Workshop is for everyone who has Low Back issues -- from periodic achiness to chronic pain. Justine Shelton, E-RYT500, C-IAYT, will help you better understand the dos and don’ts of back care. Justine will also cover safe movements and Yoga poses that support and strengthen your back. In addition, she will provide ways to release tension and tightness so that you can move and feel better. Without doubt, Justine’s knowledge of Low Back Care is very thorough. It is grounded in her own experience with Low Back issues, her in-depth Viniyoga therapeutic training and her thousands of teaching and mentoring hours.

Online Workshop: Foundations of Yoga for Low Back Care

Low Back Pain is pervasive in our culture and one of the top reasons people come to Yoga. It can be caused by a myriad of structural issues and/or spinal injuries. Therefore, not all Yoga poses are appropriate or therapeutic for everyone. In this Workshop, Back Pain Specialist Justine Shelton, C-IAYT, will teach you how to be mindful and care for your Low Back during Yoga classes. Justine will also review the anatomy and physiology of common conditions of the Low Back such as lumbar disc damage, sciatica, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis and spinal curve imbalances. In addition, she will discuss the contraindications for these common conditions. Lastly, she will provide beneficial poses that assist in the Low Back’s return to healthy function!