Article includes results from a randomized, controlled clinical trial—the most definitive form of scientific evidence—that showed quite clearly that yoga helps those with low back pain, by Melanie Haiken, Yoga Journal
Yoga reduces chronic low back pain as effectively as PT
Showed that gentle yoga was just as safe and effective for reducing chronic low back pain as physical therapy.
Study had 320 participants with chronic low back pain.
Participants were racially diverse and predominantly low-income.
The study lasted one year and was conducted by Boston Medical Center researchers, with input from yoga teachers, doctors, and physical therapists.
“Participants in both the yoga and physical therapy groups were less likely to use pain medications at 3 months compared with the education group… Satisfaction and quality of life were similar between the physical therapy and yoga groups.” (Annals of Internal Medicine)
