| A 2005 study published in the Annals of Internal | | | | The pain response comes in several forms, levels, or |
| Medicine found that practicing yoga postures was | | | | degrees. For example an achey pain might indicate |
| more effective than traditional treatments for chronic | | | | stretching of muscle. A sharp pain might indicate |
| lower-back pain. Here's a little guide to a pose for the | | | | excess elasticity demanded on the tendon. |
| achey places. | | | | Yoga postures focus on building core shoulder |
| It's a Half Locust Variation: | | | | strength, opening the chest and relaxation of the |
| Lie on your stomach, head turned to the left and | | | | upper shoulder and neck muscles. Yoga is not a fad; |
| hands crossed over the lower back with palms up. | | | | it is a science that is recognized all over the world, |
| On an inhale lift your chest and head, stretch the left | | | | re-establishing its credibility as an ancient discipline |
| hand out in front of you, palm down, upper arm | | | | dating back ten thousand years ago and will help you |
| alongside your ear. At the same time lift your right | | | | with shoulder and back pain. |
| leg about 6 inches off the floor while turning your | | | | Yoga practitioners have long touted this ancient |
| head toward the centre. | | | | exercise as a back pain treatment. Now there's |
| On an exhalation lower your head, chest, and leg and | | | | scientific evidence to support this claim. A major |
| bring the outstretched left arm behind you to rest | | | | study on the use of alternative therapies found that |
| ion your back. As you lower your head, turn it to the | | | | almost 60% of people who consulted a medical |
| right and return it to the mat (the reverse of your | | | | doctor for back pain had tried some sort of |
| starting position). Repeat on the other side. When | | | | alternative therapy. |
| your ready, repeat the set six times, each time | | | | In yoga therapy, you use a set of posture designed |
| bringing the leg slightly higher. This will be good for | | | | specifically for your individual problems and imbalances |
| helping your back pain. | | | | to heal your body. A six week program is designed |
| There are several ways in which the human body | | | | for people with low back pain who wish to return to |
| feeds back relative to what you are doing with and | | | | yoga practice or explore yoga as a method of |
| to it. Part of this feedback system is a pain response. | | | | managing their back pain. |