Low back pain is a significant health problem. Current conventional medical interventions seem largely ineffective and do not address the contributing issues of low back pain in a comprehensive or holistic manner. The holistic approach of Yoga makes it an ideal intervention for low back pain, as it addresses the multifactorial physical, psychological, and social factors associated with low back pain. The objectives of this research review were to (1) identify all relevant published studies that identify Yoga as an intervention for low back pain; (2) draw conclusions about whether Yoga is an effective treatment for low back pain and comparable to other interventions; and (3) summarize interventions used in studies to better inform practitioners, healthcare providers, and researchers about how Yoga may be used to treat low back pain. Seven studies were identified: five moderate- to high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two case series. Participants of six out of the seven studies had chronic low back pain with a duration of greater than three months. The main outcome measures were disability questionnaires and pain. Styles of Yoga included Anusara, Iyengar, Viniyoga, a combined intervention of Yoga and Pilates, and Hatha Yoga, not further specified.The findings of this review suggest that Yoga has a positive effect on low back pain and function, with effects comparable to education combined with aerobic and strengthening exercise and more effective than education alone or no treatment. Yoga may provide an inexpensive and easily accessible way for those with low back pain to manage their symptoms. However, the small number of studies prevents definite conclusions from being drawn. This demonstrates a need to increase the evidence base through larger, well-designed RCTs in this area.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
1 October 2009
Research Review|
October 26 2009
Is Yoga an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain: A Research Review
Zena Kelly
Zena Kelly
1
Brierley Hill, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Int J Yoga Therap (2009) 19 (1): 103–112.
Citation
Zena Kelly; Is Yoga an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain: A Research Review. Int J Yoga Therap 1 October 2009; 19 (1): 103–112. doi: https://doi.org/10.17761/ijyt.19.1.r810550078602214
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionCiting articles via
Yoga Techniques Associated with Improved Insulin Resistance in Women with PCOS: A Pilot Study
Anushka Verma, MD, Asha Gandhi, MD, Nivedita Sirdesai, MD, Vineeta Chandra
2024 Editorial
Catherine Justice, PT, DPT, CST, RYT-200, C-IAYT, Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, PhD
Physical Performance Effects Associated with a 16-Week Therapeutic Yoga Intervention in Survivors of Cancers in the South Texas Region: A Pilot Study
Alexis Ortiz, PT, PhD, SCS, CSCS, Nydia Darby, DPT, C-IAYT, Gustavo Almeida, PT, PhD, Tim Calderon, MS, Darpan Patel, PhD, Tony Zhang, PhD, MBA, Daniel C. Hughes, PhD
Yoga in Virtual Reality Increases Experience of Presence but May Be Less Satisfying, More Difficult, and More Nausea-Unbalance Inducing
Paul Frewen, PhD, Helena Amyot, Cassandra Ellis, PhD
Key Components of Trauma-Informed Yoga Nidra
Kimberley Luu, MSc