The results of a large and well designed study on the effect of yoga lessons on back pain by Arthritis Research UK has just been published. Unlike many studies on back pain treatment, this study has demonstrated long-term benefits.

"We are delighted that our trial has shown that yoga provides such positive benefits for people with chronic low back pain. This extremely common condition cannot be managed with painkillers alone and there is an urgent need to have non-drug therapies that sufferers can utilize in their own home. This trial is part of our larger commitment to seek self-help solutions to this common musculoskeletal problem," said Professor Alan Silman, the Medical Director of Arthritis Research UK.

Comparing these results a similarly large and well designed study published in the British Medical Journal in 2008 on the value of the Alexander technique in alleviating chronic back pain, the results from the yoga trial were better than for those who had just 6 Alexander technique lessons but not as good as for those who had 24 Alexander technique lessons (which is around the number of lessons normally recommended by Alexander teachers).

Arthritis UK is now in the process of setting up another trial investigating the effectiveness of Alexander technique and acupuncture in alleviating chronic neck pain. This will be a three year trial involving 450 subjects, so we will have to wait some time for the results of this.

A second American Study which was the largest one done to date in the USA on the effectiveness of yoga and stretching for back pain, and which has been recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine concluded that: “Yoga classes were more effective than a self-care book, but not more effective than stretching classes, in improving function and reducing symptoms due to chronic low back pain, with benefits lasting at least several months.” This study had over 300 participants and had the longest follow up of any trial so far carried out in the USA.

The problem with treatment approaches to back pain

The problem with purely treatment approaches to back pain, is that whilst patients may receive some or considerable relief from their symptoms, in the absence of any behavioural change then the symptoms are more than likely to return, which is why studies have mostly failed to find evidence of long-term improvement from purely treatment approaches.

Yoga and Alexander Technique Classes

The good results for both yoga/stretching and the Alexander technique for the long-term alleviation of back pain would suggest that classes applying the Alexander technique to yoga should be highly effective for those wishing to deal with back pain, and that is indeed the experience of those who have attended such classes at the School for F.M. Alexander Studies, one of the few places in Australia where this combination of classes is offered.

Our experience at the school includes working with a large number of people who have found that previous yoga classes they attended did not work for them. In almost every case a qualified Alexander yoga teacher is able to diagnose their condition accurately and offer instruction in a way that works for the individual.

The other advantage of including the Alexander technique awareness in the yoga, is that the identification of harmful habits of posture and movements and learning to change these habits allows for incorporation into everyday life and activities.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE YOGA AND ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE CLASSES BEING RUN AT THE SCHOOL FOR F.M. ALEXANDER STUDIES.