Efficacy of Yoga Therapy in Treating Low Back Pain

Background: Non-specific low back pain is a frequent condition that is often treated using non-pharmaceutical interventions such as exercise therapy. Yoga is one popular form of mind-body workout that can be applied to treat nonspecific low back pain. Objective: To evaluate the impact yoga as a treatment therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain has on pain and functional ability in comparison to no exercise or the prescription of medication. Search Methods: A review of existing studies that described randomized control trials that focused on the treatment of chronic low back pain with yoga and were published between January 2000 and mid-March 2016 was performed. The studies were identified by performing a search on the following information sources: Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, four trial registers and five additional databases. Results: Previous research in combination with the latest Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) indicate that yoga can increase mobility, reduce pain, can be accomplished safely, and is positively received by patients. Some research indicates that yoga may also enhance psychological symptoms; however, the validity of these findings is yet to be established.