# Will yoga fix my back? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 18, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637 "2010-12-18T18:37:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/1 "2010-12-18T18:37:07Z")
I’m 24 going on 90. Or so it feels as I lurch through the house on a Saturday morning. I’ve had a slipped disc in my lower back since I was 19, that tends to flare up and disappear time and time again, usually once a year or so. My latest bout has persisted since September, in part because of my unwillingness to completely give up squash, likely a major irritant to my back (that’s how I hurt it this time). I’ve popped robax as far as the recommended dosage on the bottle allows me. I’ve been to the sports medicine doctor, who’s as unhelpful as the rest of them. The chiropractor seems to make it feel better, but whatever gains I make are always temporary. Even taking nearly 4 weeks off from any substantive exercise didn’t do anything for it. I’m at my wits end. So yeah, I got the idea for yoga from _King of the Hill_. Cartoons have never steered me wrong in the past; I have the skittlebrau to prove it. I mentioned this to one of my colleagues, who insisted that Tai Chi would be more beneficial. Frankly, I’m willing to listen to any and all suggestions/anecdotes that would get me back to normal form in the near future. I’ve always dismissed Yoga and Tai Chi off the cuff as new age balderdash in the past, but I’m willing to entertain anything at this point. If your back was hurting in the past, what did you do get it moving right again? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/2 "2010-12-18T18:59:40Z")
[This DVD](http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Back-Pain-Alexander-Melleby/dp/B00061V58Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1292698662&sr=8-1) has been around for a number of years. The exercises contained therein are just variations on yoga stretches. Nothing strenuous, all designed to increase flexibility and reduce chronic pain. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/3 "2010-12-18T20:11:47Z")
I’m aware of two studies showing that yoga benefits back pain: Iyengar Yoga as effective as Physical therapy for lower back pain. > **[Gesundheit-im-Leben.com - Natürlich, Gesund und fit durchs Leben](https://gesundheit-im-leben.com/)** > > Wir testen verschiedene Produkte auf Herz und Nieren und sprechen über alle Vor- und Nachteile. Ratgeber ✓ Erfahrungen✓ Qualität✓ > **[PAIN](https://journals.lww.com/pain/pages/default.aspx)** > > PAIN publishes research on the nature, mechanisms and treatment of pain. The journal provides a forum for the dissemination of research in the basic and clinical sciences of multidisciplinary interest. Yoga gave faster results than “conventional therapeutic exercise” for lower back pain > **[Comparing yoga, exercise, and a self-care book for chronic low back pain: a...](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16365466/)** > > Yoga was more effective than a self-care book for improving function and reducing chronic low back pain, and the benefits persisted for at least several months. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/4 "2010-12-18T20:12:51Z")
I don’t do yoga, but I have a herniated disc since last spring (between L4/5,S1) and the best thing has been physical therapy and exercises all designed to increase the core strength. The way it was explained to me is that the exercises would strengthen my lower abs and lower back muscles and will help stabilize my spine around the injury. So back extensions, “supermans”, curls (not sit-ups), various leg ad/abductions, “rowing” using a resistance band, etc. I recommend seeing a physical therapist - or in my case, an athletic therapist - to learn how to do these exercises correctly, but in general, I would think that yoga could help. While I still feel a very slight tightness in my back, I’m pretty much pain free and have regained the flexibility that the injury took away from me. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/5 "2010-12-18T20:15:28Z")
Yoga by itself, probably not. I take glucosamine/chondroitin for the disks, exercise my back muscles with simple routines, use a reclining table to stretch the back, yoga to loosen up muscles, and go to a chiropractor if it all goes to crap and a disc slips. The worst thing to do is lay in bed which sucks because that’s exactly what feels good. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/6 "2010-12-19T00:05:52Z")
IANADoctor, nor do I have a slipped disc. I can say that consistent yoga has been transformational for me - it works your core muscles, your overall flexibility, your balance, your mind/body connection - all of which would seem to be helpful given what you describe. Why not try it? ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Violaceous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Miss\_Violaceous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Violaceous)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/7 "2010-12-19T23:15:32Z")
Anecdotal for what it’s worth, but I notice signifigant improvements in my back issues when I’m good about keeping up with my wii fit exercises, and I do more of the yoga stuff than anything else. I imagine the core muscle strength in addition to the stretching and flexibility helps stabilize things. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2010, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/8 "2010-12-20T00:18:07Z")
I don’t think any sort of exercise routine is a magic solution to chronic pain. But being active is excellent for everyone’s health, strength training (even just bodyweight exercises like most yoga poses) and building muscle is excellent for everyone’s health. And many people I know who have chronic pain and degenerative conditions find that yoga in particular helps them immensely. I love yoga myself, work part-time in a yoga studio and will be training as a teacher shortly, FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2010, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/9 "2010-12-20T00:24:19Z")
If you’re interested in more anecdotal evidence, it fixed my mom’s back. She used to have her back go out on her every couple of months and would have to spend a couple of days in bed. She started doing yoga 30 years ago and hasn’t had a problem since. I never had back problems but a nasty pinched nerve in my neck and occasional sciatica has gone away completely since I took up Bikram yoga five years ago. Give it a try. Be sure to tell the instructor about your issues before class. There are a few different types of yoga so it may take a little while to find the kind that best suits you. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2010, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/10 "2010-12-20T03:25:34Z")
> [@Miss\_Violaceous](#): > > Anecdotal for what it’s worth, but I notice signifigant improvements in my back issues when I’m good about keeping up with my wii fit exercises, and I do more of the yoga stuff than anything else. I imagine the core muscle strength in addition to the stretching and flexibility helps stabilize things. I have wii fit, but I did not like the yoga games. They seemed to keep dwelling on me balancing my weight on the board properly, and so I never feel that I got the motions going properly. Thanks to all the people who responded! There’s an Iyengar Yoga gym near my house; I’m going to check it out tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![RedWood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f08c70/32.png) [@RedWood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedWood)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2010, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/11 "2010-12-20T03:34:37Z")
when my back went oddly and disastrously out, I went to my General Practitioner - who gave me muscle relaxers and suggested I find a chiropractor. My new-found chiropractor gave me yoga exercises to do as well as treating me. The yoga helped Immensely! and it was So Good to be able to do Something that helped! I still do the exercises when I feel stiff and creaky. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2010, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/12 "2010-12-20T03:46:30Z")
> [@RedWood](#): > > when my back went oddly and disastrously out, I went to my General Practitioner - who gave me muscle relaxers and suggested I find a chiropractor. My new-found chiropractor gave me yoga exercises to do as well as treating me. The yoga helped Immensely! and it was So Good to be able to do Something that helped! I still do the exercises when I feel stiff and creaky. The chiropractor’s adjustments seem to help, but they are short term gains that go away as quickly as they come. I got mine from the GP too, coincidentally - I remembered that my grandma’s chiropractor kept pushing Reiki and homeopathic medicine, so I figured I’d be ok if he worked _at_ my doctor’s clinic. The non-yoga stretches he gave me to do, sadly, have had little help. Some actually make my back hurt worse! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![pauljackson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cdc98d/32.png) [@pauljackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pauljackson)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2010, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/13 "2010-12-20T09:10:30Z")
It is best to do these exercises under the supervision of a certified yoga instructor,However, not all yoga poses relieve back pain, and some can in fact aggravate existing pain, so it is important to know which poses will be most helpful in relieving back pain. if you encounter any problems with these poses, you should consult an expert. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/14 "2010-12-22T23:03:16Z")
If you go to a studio and tell the instructor about your problems, they will usually make an an effort to make the class more beneficial for you personally and/or modify poses that might not be helpful or comfortable for your injury. Much less likely to make things worse than experimenting yourself. Iyengar yoga sounds perfect for you! I do Anusara which also makes proper alignment to avoid injuries a priority. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/15 "2010-12-22T23:40:25Z")
IME yoga an be valuable because it coaches you to try to mentally transcend pain. There are a LOT of audio yoga/meditation files I’ve saved on my computer and there are a variety of audios that are specifically marketed to help you rise above chronic pain. I don’t meditate often, but when I’m in a deep state of trance I don’t itch and I don’t hurt. So it’s at LEAST a nice way to escape from it for a little while. As far as whether yoga stretches are going to fix your problem, nobody but a medical professional can say for sure. Stretching the wrong way could really hurt you. Doing it right could really help (stretching and the “right kind” of exercise is the definition of physical therapy). Talk to a physical therapist if you can get referred. They know their stuff. You could do what a lot of people with chronic back issues do (like my mom) and just schedule chiropractor appointments every couple of weeks. I personally don’t see that there’s a lot of science behind chiropractice. I sincerely doubt it’s better than going to a professional masseuse. But my insurance doesn’t cover massages, and DOES cover chiro visits. So there you go. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-yoga-fix-my-back/564637/16 "2010-12-23T00:28:22Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > IME yoga an be valuable because it coaches you to try to mentally transcend pain. This is a good point. Different types of yoga and different yoga instructors will have a different emphasis on meditation. Bikram yoga, for example, has next to no meditation in its practice. That’s one of the reasons that I like it. This is another factor that will play into your decision.