Yoga Study Proves Efficacy for Chronic Pain Sufferers

By Rachel Stockton  rachels at foodconsumer dot org

Necessarily in all of the discussion regarding health care, the subject of prevention invariably comes up.  This makes sense, as several studies have shown that fully 70% of all doctor visits are lifestyle related (CNBC). While baby boomers are the most educated generation when it comes to prevention, many do not heed common sense unless forced to.

A new study out of West Virginia University is spotlighting the effects of yoga as an alternative to traditional medicine.  The surprise is that yoga seems to have proven itself not only as a preventive mechanism, but as a remedy for pain after injury has occurred.

Study lead Kimberly Williams randomly selected 43 chronic back pain sufferers to take part in a 90 minute yoga class for 24 weeks.  Another set of 47 back pain sufferers received traditional medical attention.

The results are impressive; many yoga participants were able to reduce the amount of pain medication they were taking.  They reported significantly less functional disability, overt pain, and symptoms of depression than did the control group.

While yoga practitioners the world over have been touting the positive benefits of yoga with regards to back pain, many traditional medicine proponents were skeptical of their optimism.  This study, maintains Williams, is one of the most expansive to date and gives credibility to this particular form of alternative medicine.

As for its effect on depression, yoga practitioners have maintained that the practice itself goes beyond mere physicality.  Cindee Joslin, yoga practitioner and instructor in Northwest Arkansas encourages her students to bring their entire being "to the mat," assuring them that more will be revealed if they are patient and willing to fully engage in the practice - not a whole lot to ask for such life changing benefits.