A new study has found that people suffering with long-term back pain experienced more improved back function compared to the test participants who underwent the typically prescribed medical care for back problems.
The yoga study was carried out by researchers from the University of York in the UK, where 156 patients took part in a 12 week yoga course. Then a further 157 patients received the standard back pain care from the NHS (National Health Service) in the UK.
The results found, and published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, that the 156 patients that took part in the yoga course experienced more improved back function than those who received the standard NHS medical care.
Related: How To Heal Back Pain Naturally with Yoga
With the participants from the yoga group able to take part in up to 30 percent more activities, and had a reduction in pain when compared to the NHS control group.
The researchers told Fox News Health that the main overall improvements for the yoga test group was raised confidence levels when undertaking everyday tasks like,
“Walking more quickly, getting dressed without help or standing up for longer periods of time.”
But the researchers also stated the relief was not necessarily that of pain.
With further comments to Fox News Health being made by The University’s Health Sciences departments Dr. David Torgerson;
“Back pain is an extremely common and costly condition. Exercise treatment, although widely used and recommended, has only a small effect.”
He then commented further,
“Our results showed that yoga can provide both short- and long-term benefits to those suffering from chronic or recurrent back pain, without any serious side effects.”
A participant in the yoga study, Sue Faulkner who is 68 years old, commented on the benefits she got from the 12 week yoga program;
“Walking around is no longer a problem and I can do my gardening now so long as I pace myself.”
According to the latest statistics, 80 percent of the UK population will suffer with lower back pain at some point. With their currently being very few treatments that are actually effective.
So, finding a drug free and side effect free form of treatment that may help improve or manage this condition is the ultimate goal here.
Yoga can provide many forms of relief and may just be what you need in your life. Especially as it, when practiced alongside mindfulness, can help you reduce your stress and anxiety levels too.
Always ensure you seek out a qualified professional when starting out with yoga, as you don’t want to cause further injury by performing something wrong.