Yoga for Low Back Pain?

Yoga was as effective as conventional stretching and more effective than self-care in a randomized trial.

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the leading causes of disability. For some, back pain becomes chronic. The prevalence of chronic, impairing LBP has risen significantly in recent decades, with high levels of disability and costly healthcare use (Arch Intern Med 2009; 169:251 and JAMA 2008; 299:656). Because small studies have suggested a benefit from yoga for LBP, researchers conducted a larger comparative-treatment study. They randomized 228 adults with chronic LBP to 12 weekly classes of yoga (92 patients) or conventional stretching exercise (91 patients) or to receive a self-care book (45 patients). Participants were followed for a total of 26 weeks. The primary outcome was improvement on the Roland Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) and in sel…

Reviewing Author

Jaime Toro, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

Jaime Toro, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders