Yoga and Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain is estimated at 60% to 70% in industrialized countries. Let’s just take a moment to re-read that. 

Today we have access to everything at the drop of a hat without ever leaving our home, which is nice but also has its drawbacks. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 93% of their life indoors.  87% of their life is inside buildings, then another 6% of their life in automobiles.  That’s only 7% of your entire life outdoors.  

It’s no wonder that we have such a high incidence of back pain. 

Many people start practicing yoga upon the recommendation of their physical therapists because of ongoing back pain. They are often amazed at how quickly it decreases after just a few sessions. 

Back pain is one of the many things that yoga can help alleviate.  Knee, hip, shoulder, and neck pain can all be lessened or even alleviated with yoga. 

BUT — you had to know that was coming — it matters how you go about it. Scrolling through YouTube and trying different yoga videos can lead to more pain or even injury. Even if you are experienced in practicing yoga. 

It is important to work with a knowledgeable yoga instructor and schedule some one-on-one private sessions. This is especially true if you are dealing with ongoing issues like low back pain.

It is common to see experienced yoga practitioners continue to force themselves into poses in group classes, because they were able to do them before they started having problems.

In group classes (be it in person or online) it is not possible for an instructor to help each student in class. Time just doesn’t permit it. 

It can take a while to find the right yoga teacher for you. Yoga Alliance https://www.yogaalliance.org/  has a list of registered yoga instructors who are members in the USA. Ask friends and family who practice yoga if they have recommendations. Search Google for listings of yoga instructors in your area or with a specific specialty, like back pain. 

Low back pain doesn’t have to be a heavy burden that you carry around. Help is available.  

Monica is a Yoga Instructor who is passionate about making yoga accessible, easy and fun for her clients. She has an online yoga business providing 1:1 personalized instruction to her clients. She resides in Minnesota with her family.