Yoga and Chronic Back Pain: What Does the Research Say?

A quick look at yoga and yoga therapy for those suffering from chronic back pain. Part 2 of our mini blog series 'What Does the Research Say"

Shat does the research say graphic for yoga therapy library's regular featured article

:"What Does the Research Say?" is a regular feature of YTL Resource posts. The intention is to provide language about the evidence based benefits of Yoga Therapy that is consistent with research findings. It is important to not under- or over-state what the authors of studies have concluded. We list some randomized, controlled studies, and well executed systematic reviews in the resource list at the bottom of the article. This information is for Yoga Therapists who want to include research when promoting workshops, series, and classes, or writing grant proposal, or other healthcare related documentation.

Chronic back pain is highly prevalent in the United States and globally, resulting in functional impairment and lowered quality of life.

Yoga has become increasingly popular over the years as an effective form of treatment for chronic back pain.

What does the research say about yoga and chronic back pain? Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated that yoga may help...

reduce pain intensity and disability
improve health-related quality of life
reduce pain medication usage
increase back mobility and function.

senior woman leaning on tree with yoga mat

Tilbrook et al. conducted a study that compared the long-term effectiveness of a 12-week yoga program versus a back pain education booklet (“usual care”) for back pain patients. The study included a check-in up to 12 months after the 12-week Yoga program. The results showed that the yoga group had significantly better back function compared to the usual care group. One study found that regardless of whether subjects attended once-or twice-weekly yoga classes, there was a significant reduction in average back pain intensity over a 12-week intervention.

More recently, a team led by Dr. Robert Saper studied 320 mainly low-income, racially diverse adults with moderate to severe chronic back pain. This study found that all three groups reported improvement in physical function and pain reduction when using Yoga as part of their program. Furthermore, people in the yoga groups were significantly more likely than those in the education-only group to stop taking pain relievers after one year.

Studies also suggest that yoga may help break the cycle of fear-avoidance that often comes with chronic pain. The fear-avoidance model suggests that when people with chronic pain catastrophize and avoid potentially pain-inducing activities, they can become depressed, disabled, and inactive, which can lead to further increases in pain. Yoga, with its gradual, guided exposure to movement and activity, can help reverse this cycle.

Overall, there is growing evidence to suggest that yoga can be an effective treatment option for people suffering from chronic back pain.

REFERENCES:

Chang, D. G., Holt, J. A., Sklar, M., & Groessl, E. J. (2016). Yoga as a treatment for chronic low back pain: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of orthopedics & rheumatology, 3(1), 1–8.

Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Haller, H., & Dobos, G. (2013). A systematic review and meta-analysis of yoga for low back pain. The Clinical journal of pain, 29(5), 450–460. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0b013e31825e1492

Crevelário de Melo, R., Victoria Ribeiro, A., Luquine Jr, C., (2021). Effectiveness and safety of yoga to treat chronic and acute pain: a rapid review of systematic reviews. BMJ Open 2021;11:e048536. https://doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048536

Saper, R. B., Lemaster, C., Delitto, A., Sherman, K. J., Herman, P. M., Sadikova, E., Stevans, J., Keosaian, J. E., Cerrada, C. J., Femia, A. L., Roseen, E. J., Gardiner, P., Gergen Barnett, K., Faulkner, C., & Weinberg, J. (2017). Yoga, Physical Therapy, or Education for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Noninferiority Trial. Annals of internal medicine, 167(2), 85–94. https://doi.org/10.7326/M16-2579

Skelly, A. C., Chou, R., Dettori, J. R., Turner, J. A., Friedly, J. L., Rundell, S. D., Fu, R., Brodt, E. D., Wasson, N., Winter, C., & Ferguson, A. J. R. (2018). Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US).

Tilbrook, H. E., Cox, H., Hewitt, C. E., Kang'ombe, A. R., Chuang, L. H., Jayakody, S., Aplin, J. D., Semlyen, A., Trewhela, A., Watt, I., & Torgerson, D. J. (2011). Yoga for chronic low back pain: a randomized trial. Annals of internal medicine, 155(9), 569–578. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-155-9-201111010-00003

By Genevieve Yellin

C-IAYT, ERYT500, RCYT, RPYT, TIYT
Genevieve is a certified Yoga Therapist who works with all communities with unresolved trauma at their core. Most extensively anxiety/PTSD, chronic pain management, SUD recovery, Alzheimer's/Dementia care, post-acute stress disorder recovery, cancer care, and social anxiety. She is the founder and primary faculty of the TIYT™ Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy training which has been training Yoga, medical and mental health professionals since 2009. Genevieve is also the founder and Director of Sundara Foundation/Sundara Yoga Therapy, creating and offering evidence based Yoga Therapy protocols, and support equity initiatives in healthcare and Yoga Therapy.

January 25, 2023