New research shows yoga is better for lower back pain than drugs!

A new study published within the past month now shows conclusively that yoga is indeed better than pain medication for patients with chronic lower back pain!  As many of you know, for years there was a yoga studio right next door to me.  I loved to send patients over there for yoga classes because it was such a wonderful adjunct to the chiropractic care I offered.  The patients responded wonderfully and got well and stayed well for long, long periods of time. 

Now a study published in Spine shows that yoga works better than drugs.  The study randomly divided 90 patients with chronic lower back pain into two groups.  One group received conventional medical therapy and the other participants took 90 minute classes twice a week for 24 weeks, doing postures targeted to relieve chronic low back pain.  The chief researcher, Kimberly Williams, PhD., stated "The yoga group had less pain, less functional disability and less depression compared with the control group.  These were statistically significant and clinically important changes that were maintained six months after the intervention."  Wow!  Six months is an impressive time frame considering these were people who suffered with lower back pain for years!

Maybe now we should consider calling "conventional" medical therapy alternative medical therapy.  After all, drugs are much, much more risky than flexibility exercises like yoga.  This is one of the cornerstones to the Health Care Classes that I offer on Tuesday nights.  I teach these kinds of topics and show my patients what risks are involved with each type of provider.  Some  Tuesday night at 6 pm take an hour to drop by the office and learn these principles of healthcare.  Its always a very lively class and it's incredibly informational.  However, you must RSVP if you plan to attend.  601 924 4647.