Yoga therapy is an essential component of integrative pain care, which has been found to improve patient outcomes and alter the trajectory of the current public pain crises.[1]
Today, chronic pain affects an estimated 50 million adults in the United States alone, many of whom experience symptoms that interfere with daily life or work activities. [2] Yoga has been shown to positively affect function, pain, and quality of life for people with various musculoskeletal pain conditions.
What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga therapy is a combination of physical movement, breathing, and meditation. Studies have shown that yoga is therapeutic in the treatment of various chronic pain conditions, especially low back pain.[3],[4] In addition, positive outcomes have been reported for chronic neck pain, cancer patients, and general health and wellbeing.
Low Back Pain
Studies have shown that yoga improved low-back pain and function in both the short term (1-6 months) and intermediate-term (6-12 months).[5] Studies indicate that yoga can reduce pain and disability, can be practiced safely, and is well received by participants. In 2017, the American College of Physicians included yoga as a recommendation for first-line treatment of chronic low-back pain.[6]
Chronic Neck Pain
A 2019 systematic review concluded that practicing yoga reduced neck pain intensity and disability, as well as improved range of motion in the neck.[7] Secondary findings showed strong evidence that yoga has a positive impact on quality of life and overall mood. This is encouraging for those patients with high stress-induced neck pain.
Knee Pain/Osteoarthritis
Recent studies have focused on strength, balance, and flexibility in people with chronic knee pain. Yoga has been shown to improve walking pain/time, range of knee flexion, and crepitus associated with knee function disability.[8] After a 12-week yoga intervention, positive effects on pain reduction and functional improvement were observed on patients with knee osteoarthritis.[9]
General Health and Wellbeing
Research supports practicing yoga is a beneficial therapy for stress management and wellbeing. Studies show that a regular yoga practice correlates with better sleep, improved body awareness, and healthier eating and physical activity habits. [10] Yoga is a great tool for staying healthy because it is based on principles of preventative medicine and healthy lifestyle practices.
References
[1] Alliance to Advance Comprehensive Integrative Pain Management. (n.d.) History of CIPM. Retrieved from http://painmanagementalliance.org/about-us/history/
[2] Clauw, D.J., Essex, M. N., Pitman, V., & Jones, K.D. (2019). Reframing chronic pain as a disease, not a symptom: Rationale and implications for pain management.
[3] Groessl EJ, Liu L, Chang DG, et al. Yoga for Military Veterans with Chronic low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Am J Prev Med. 2017; 53 (5): 599-608
[4] Wieland LS, Skoetz N, Pilkington K, Vempati R, D’Adamo Cr, Berman BM. Yoga treatment for chronic non-specific low back pain. Cochrane Database syst Rev. 2017; 1:CD010671. Doi: 10.1002/14651858. CD010671.pub2
[5] Saper, RB, Lemaster C, Delitto A, et al. Yoga, Physical Therapy, or Education for chronic low back pain: A randomized noninferiority trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2017; 167 (2): 85-94.
[6] Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, et al. Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2017;166(7):514-530.
[7]Li Y, Li S, Jiang J, et al. Effects of yoga on patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain. A PRISMA systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine. 2019;98(8): e14649.
[8] Ebnezar R, Nagarathna R, Yoitha B et al. Effects of an integrated approach of hatha yoga therapy on functional disability, pain, and flexibility in osteoarthritis of the knee joint: A randomized controlled study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2012; 18 (5), 463-472.
[9] Kan L, Zhang J, & Wang P. The effects of yoga on pain, mobility, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2016. http://dx/doi.org/10.1155/2016/6016532
[10] Watts AW, Rydell SA, Eisenberg ME, et al. Yoga’s potential for promoting healthy eating and physical activity behaviors among young adults: a mixed-methods study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2018;15(1):42.
