Yoga 'effective at treating back pain'

Yoga could be more effective in treating chronic back pain in minority populations than traditional methods, a new study has found.

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and the Boston Medical Centre conducted a trial on adults from two community health centres serving racially diverse neighbourhoods.

The institutions discovered that participants undergoing 12 weekly 75-minute classes of yoga witnessed pain scores in their lower backs decrease by one-third, compared to the five per cent decline experienced in the control group.

In addition, the targeted research found that the use of pain medication among those partaking in yoga fell by 80 per cent.

Postures, breathing techniques and meditation were all included in the classes, while patients were also advised to practice at home for 30 minutes every day.

Yoga is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism and Buddhism - although many different styles are currently being taught and practiced, including Bikram, Hatha and Vinyasa.

The study's findings, which have been published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, could help reduce the substantial cost that lower back pain places on society.

Robert Saper, assistant professor at BUSM, explained that the research was carried out on low-income, minority populations, as these demographics generally have less access to traditional treatments.

He said: "Our pilot study showed that yoga is well-received in these communities and may be effective for reducing pain and pain medication use."

Lower back pain - also known as lumbago - is most common in individuals aged between 35 and 55 and is usually a symptom of stress or damage to ligaments, muscles, tendons or discs.

"Yoga offers a combination of physical exercise with mental focus that may make it a suitable therapy for the treatment of low back pain," commented a spokesman for the Arthritis Research Campaign.

The charity is funding a similar study on a larger scale, using the two most popular styles of yoga in the UK; Iyengar and British Wheel of Yoga.

© Adfero Ltd

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