Yoga Therapy for back pain in Bangalore (India)

YOGA THERAPY FOR BACK PAIN
By SVASTHYA HEALTH CARE AND RESEARCH

Though a number of factors can predispose one to a chronic back problem; work related stressors, occupation requiring physical demands, sedentary lifestyle and trauma are the commonest causes. Prevalence of chronic low back pain is seen in varied occupations which requires standing/ sitting for long hours or repetitive tasks such as in truck drivers, computer professionals, dentists, nurses etc (Yu, Roht, Wise et al 1984). Apart from the occupational risks involved, work related stress poses an additional burden in these populations. A majority of the causes for back pain are mechanical caused due to bad postures, occupation and sedentary life style. Investigators speculate that physical and psychological stress may also lead to frequent and intense or low-level but sustained muscular contractions (Sjegaard, Lundberg, & Kudefors, 2000). This muscle activity can in turn increase pain through ischemia and hypoxia (Decreased O2 perfusion to that area) (Fields, 1987) and through changes in sensitivity (Mense, 1993) thereby causing pain or already aggravating the existing pain.

Exercise is one of the few proven treatments for chronic low back pain (Bogduk , 2004); however, its effects are often small, and no form has been shown to be clearly better than another (van Tulder, Malmivaara , Esmail et al 2000; Liddle , Baxter, Gracey 2004; . Hayden , van Tulder , Malmivaara et al 2005; Hayden , van Tulder , Tomlins et al). Yoga, which often couples physical exercise with breathing, is a popular alternative form of “mind-body” therapy. An estimated 14 million Americans practiced yoga in 2002, including more than 1 million who used it as a treatment for back pain (Wolsko, Eisenberg , Davis et al 2003; Saper , Eisenberg , Davis et al 2004). Though statistics for Indian population are not available, a significant majority of them are aware and have practiced some form of yoga in their life time.

Several research studies have shown yoga practices to reduce functional disability, medication use, bothersome symptoms and pain levels (Galantino, Bzdewka, Eissler-Russo 2004; Baldwin 1999; Williams, Petronis, Smith et al 2005; Sherman, Cherkin, Erro, et al 2005). Yoga may benefit patients with back pain simply because it involves exercise or because of its effects on mental focus. From a physical perspective, popular lore posits that yoga increases flexibility and strength, tones muscles, and releases muscle tension (Spilner 1999 Globus 2000), and several studies of patients with low back pain have found that yoga increased hip flexion (Williams , Steinberg , Petronis 2003) and spinal and hamstring flexibility (Galantino , Bzdewka, Eissler-Russo 2004; Baldwin 1999). However, the mental focus induced by yoga could also help people to increase their awareness of how they had been moving and positioning their body in maladaptive ways, to relax tense muscles, and to relieve mental stress, as was anecdotally reported by our yoga participants. Awareness and relaxation are two important components of yoga practices and performing asanas slowly with awareness and relaxation will help increase internal awareness, help recognize inherent tensions, reduce reactivity to stressful situations and ensures much needed mental rest that could increase pain threshold and reduce debility from pain.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM

1. To train and educate participants in self management of their musculoskeletal problems.
2. To identify factors and stressors that exacerbate or cause pain and educate them about corrective measures.
3. To help participants identify stressful situations and behaviour and help them cope effectively.


HOW DO WE GO ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Individuals who wish to participate in this program will be assessed for the causes of Low back pain. Those without serious cause will be selected to participate based on the clinical interview and examination. Those with serious causes will be asked to investigate and referred.

ADVANTAGES OVER CONVENTIONAL APPROACHES

Conventional management of Back / Neck pain is more often restricted to use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications. Rehabilitation using Physical therapy is also more often a passive approach with more emphasis on deep tissue heat, massage or simple mobilization exercises. However the emphasis on stress, stressors, postural correction and relaxation to cope with these problems are minimal resulting in episodic recurrence of the above problems.
Our yoga program is designed to help people self manage pain better using principles of Relaxation, Mobilization and Strengthening of the joints on a long term. The education component will help identify wrong postures, stressors in work place and learn how to manage them. Simple exercises are also thought to help stretch tensed muscles during work to prevent pain, stiffness and discomfort. The awareness and relaxation components in yoga will help increase internal awareness, help recognize inherent tensions, reduce reactivity to stressful situations and help them cope with the daily stress. This would offer better results than the conventional approaches demonstrated in the above research studies. “THIS IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED FOLLOWING YEARS OF RESEARCH INTO MANAGEMENT OF BACK PAIN”.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

1. Those with signs and symptoms of back pain or strain.
2. Back pain that is not relieved by analgesics.
3. Those who are pregnant or obese with back strain.
4. Back pain affecting your work or movement.

DURATION: 1 hour daily 10 sessions spread over two weeks.

COST: Rs 1,500 Per participant, Inclusive of study materials (back pain book + informative brochures)



Resource persons:

Dr Raghavendra Rao. M, BNYS, PhD,
Senior Scientist Clinical Research, Head CAM program, HCG Bangalore Institute of Oncology
Dr Vadiraj HS, BNYS, (PhD)
Scientist, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bangalore
Dr Vivek Udupa BNYS, MD
Director, SVASTHYA

Contact Information: svasthya@gmail.com,
Ph- 9916488864, 9844037797