Effectiveness of Yoga Therapy (A Mind-Body Medicine) in Prevention and Management of Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP): A Review Based on Evidence

Back pain is an increasing economic and health problem affecting nearly 80 % of the general population. Healthcare costs for low back pain (LBP) are increasing rapidly. Hence, it is important to provide effective and cost-effective treatments. Patients with CLBP are often unsatisfied with conventional medical treatment and seek complementary and alternative therapies, such as massage, acupressure, and other mind-body techniques. Mind-body techniques, such as yoga, tai chi, sensory awareness, body awareness therapy, and breath therapy are said to help patients with low back pain by enhancing body awareness. Yoga plays a significant role in enhancing ones psychological and physical health. Many CLBP patients seek relief using complementary therapies such as yoga. For this review, 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been reviewed from different databases. Details of the all RCT which suggest the management and prevention of CLBP through yoga are mentioned in the text. Based on the available researches, it appears that yoga is the most effective treatment approach to low back pain when comparing other CAM treatments.