YOGA for back pain
‘Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees’ BKS Iyengar
Whether it’s burpees in the bedroom or conference calls in the kitchen, the yo-yo closure of gyms and offices during the pandemic means we’re all spending more time working and exercising at home. Which might explain why more than one-third of Brits succumbed to back pain in the first lockdown alone.
The good news is yoga can help, by building strength, increasing mobility, aiding relaxation and creating balance. Indeed, a 2017 study in found it as effective as physical therapy for reducing pain, improving function and lowering the use of pain medicine. Not sure what style to try? Iyengar, with its long-held poses and focus on alignment, will strengthen muscles and help prevent injury. Yin is ideal for releasing stiffness in joints that could contribute to back pain, while restorative is great for rehabilitation and easing physical tension brought on by stress and anxiety. If you prefer a flowing form of yoga, vinyasa works on strength and endurance while increasing the range of movement in your body.
