International yoga and health lecturer

Yoga for Back Pain

By Andrew Wells and Trish Brown (Dru Australia)

Research shows that approximately 80% of us suffer from back pain and this can effect how well people live their lives or even earn their income.

Many aspects of 21st century living like posture, repetitive strain and stress contribute to the present-day epidemic of poor spinal health.

However, yoga is an effective tool for overcoming back problems as it restores flexibility, strength and postural awareness.       

Yoga movements can balance the muscles in the back by stretching and strengthening both sides of the body and by keeping the spine generally healthy.

Various yoga asanas can strengthen the core stability muscles, the deep muscles surrounding the inner pelvis.

Strengthening these muscles with yoga can help to prevent injury and quicken the healing process especially with certain lower back conditions.

A recent survey showed that over 84% of practitioners of Dru Yoga had experienced a decrease in back pain, with 44% experiencing strong improvement.   

Some of these unique yoga movements were even shown on UK TV during National Back Week last year.

Many yoga practitioners will be familiar with how good the cat posture is for the back and in Dru we introduce a twisting motion in that.

This  movement stretches out those muscles that are locked in contraction and spasm.

Then strengthening postures, like the cobra, tones the appropriate deep postural muscles in the back and  pelvis.

Please note that you should always check with your doctor to see what types of yoga exercises you should do if you have back injuries, and never do movements that are painful.

Nurse Di Fisher had chronic back pain for many years until she started using specific Dru Yoga exercises for back pain. 

“They were totally different from anything I’ve ever had before and it wasn’t too hard for me even when I was in chronic pain.  I just built up my strength gradually and now I am great.”

Breath work, relaxation and meditation also help to release stress and tension that may accumulate in the back.

Cultivating a sense of relaxation and wellbeing improves our ability to deal with both the symptoms and causes of back pain.

Dru Yoga has a well-established program on easing back pain already in use by osteopaths and physiotherapists.  

If you would like any more information here are several options:

Easing Back Pain CD, with Coby Langford and Mansukh Patel 

Check out our healthy back retreats at www.druworldwide.com or phone us on 01324 820 392.