Yoga for back pain: a physiotherapy perspective

Poor posture and resulting lower back pain are becoming increasingly prevalent in today’s society due to the sedentary nature of a modern lifestyle. Numerous studies have found yoga to be beneficial for certain conditions. The physical postures of yoga are a form of therapeutic exercise that integrate balance, co-ordination, strength and flexibility. Yoga is emerging as a promising means of alleviating lower back pain and may be of great benefit to patients, particularly when performed in conjunction with other established treatments, such as lifestyle advice, exercise, massage and physiotherapeutic mobilisations and manipulations. Yoga, when practised in a safe and strategic manner, can be a very useful tool for the physiotherapist in treating chronic back pain.