Sadly, too many people shy away from yoga because of neck (or back) pain. All too often they think that yoga is the cause or can make their pain worse. Quite the contrary! There have been so many studies published lately regarding the benefits on yoga and pain. Check out this article by
B Grace Bullock, PhD, E-RYT 500 stating just that. This is a must read!
Chronic
neck pain and neck pain-related disability are a major public health problem.
In light of escalating rates of opiod addiction, more health care providers are
prescribing complementary therapies like yoga to patients seeking pain relief.
Now, a new systematic review and analysis of the research in Clinical Rehabilitation shows that yoga
may be an effective treatment option.
A
team of German researchers examined all of the published randomized controlled
studies in which adults with chronic neck pain were assigned to either a yoga
intervention or a usual care, exercise, or non-pharmacological treatment
control group. Yoga sessions included either physical movement, breath
exercises, meditation, yogic lifestyle recommendations, or a combination of
these skills. At the end of treatment, yoga and control group participants were
compared on neck pain intensity or related neck-pain disability, as well as
mood and quality of life.
A
total of 3 studies including 188, predominantly female (82.4%) adults (mean age
47.5 years) were included in the analysis. On average, yoga interventions were
held weekly for 9-weeks. Sessions were provided by either experienced yoga
educators, or offered on audiotape.
Yoga Relieves Chronic Neck Pain
Analyses
revealed that yoga provides superior results to usual care in the relief of
neck pain intensity and neck pain-related disability. What’s more, yoga group
participants reported better quality of life, and improved mood compared to
controls. Short-term reductions in pain, disability, and negative mood were
found for both movement-based, and meditation-based yoga interventions.
There
are a number of potential explanations for these results. First, movement-based
yoga practices often emphasize relaxation, isometric muscle strengthening,
stretching, and exploring range of motion. This may be particularly useful for
those whose pain is based on chronic, stress-related muscle contraction, or for
whom relaxation may be beneficial. Yoga postures may also contribute to
changing dysfunctional movement patterns or altering a habitual, maladaptive
posture that contributes to a person’s neck pain or muscle tension.
In
addition to movement, meditation-based yoga practices have the potential change
person’s relationship to his or her pain. Specifically, meditation techniques
focusing on attention and introspection can draw attention to negative
judgements or ruminations about pain or its source that contribute to the
intensity of a person’s suffering. In recognizing the role of thoughts in
shaping experience, practitioners are empowered to question their significance,
and transition to more adaptive beliefs.
Although
we have much more to learn about the role of yoga in the treatment of chronic
neck pain, results of this review are cause for optimism.
By: B Grace Bullock, PhD, E-RYT 500
*Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about
the tradition of yoga and ayurveda. This information is not intended
for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any
disease. If you have any serious acute or chronic health concern,
please consult a trained health professional who can fully assess
your needs and address them effectively. Check with your doctor
before taking herbs or using essential oils when pregnant or
nursing.
The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about
the tradition of yoga and ayurveda. This information is not intended
for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any
disease. If you have any serious acute or chronic health concern,
please consult a trained health professional who can fully assess
your needs and address them effectively. Check with your doctor
before taking herbs or using essential oils when pregnant or
nursing.
