| Can yoga reduce lower back pain? In a recent study Yoga proved to be as good as or better than physical therapy for many people. This is good news since alternative therapies involving surgery or pain medications may have undesirable side effects. The problem with chronic low back pain is that while some therapies are better on average than others, no therapy works for everyone. The advantage of Yoga is that it provides another first-line treatment that can work for some. Yoga includes stretching, relaxation, focus on conscious breathing and meditation. Together these activities undoubtedly provide relief for tense and stressed muscles. For those still requiring pain medications, Yoga may reduce the dose needed. For more about the potential for relief from lower back pain read, “Study Finds Yoga Can Help Back Pain, But Keep It Gentle, With These Poses.” Is yoga right for you? If stress is the underlying cause, yoga could be worth a try. Of course, a morning walk might be just as effective. If yoga classes don’t fit your schedule then perhaps a morning walk is the better therapy. If neither fit your busy schedule, your busy schedule may be the problem. For a change, give yourself Saturday morning off and join me for a walk. Should you need an excuse, tell them it’s on doctor’s orders. Nancy Neighbors, MD Huntsville, Alabama |