nih-gov/www.nih.gov/node/7756
2025-02-26 13:17:41 -05:00

576 lines
44 KiB
Text
Raw Permalink Blame History

This file contains invisible Unicode characters

This file contains invisible Unicode characters that are indistinguishable to humans but may be processed differently by a computer. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html class="no-js" lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#">
<head>
<title>Yoga or Stretching Eases Low Back Pain | National Institutes of Health (NIH)</title>
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
var usasearch_config = { siteHandle:"nih" };
var script = document.createElement("script");
script.type = "text/javascript";
script.src = "//search.usa.gov/javascripts/remote.loader.js";
document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(script);
//]]>
</script><link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.nih.gov/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" />
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="rjIoO4vW0AYgltSYvxM1L_CzGIkq28kHf9gHIASKx8s" />
<link rel="profile" href="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml/vocab" />
<meta http-equiv="cleartype" content="on" />
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/all/themes/nih/apple-touch-icon.png" />
<meta name="description" content="Weekly classes of yoga or intensive stretching are equally effective at reducing low back pain and improving back movement, a new study reports." />
<meta name="keywords" content="NIH, research, study, discovery, biology, biological, medical, health, news, update, updates, highlights, advances, discovery, discoveries, research news, research update, research highlights, research advances, research discoveries, medical research news, medical research update, research column, medical information, health news, biomedical, biological science, medical findings, research findings, medical research findings, yoga, stretching, exercises, back pain, self-care, book, clinical trial, complementary and alternative medicine, CAM, physical therapist, meditation, medication, functioning, muscle, relaxation, Karen J. Sherman, Archives of Internal Medicine.&quot;/&gt;" />
<meta name="robots" content="follow, index" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (http://drupal.org)" />
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/yoga-or-stretching-eases-low-back-pain" />
<link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.nih.gov/node/7756" />
<meta http-equiv="content-language" content="EN" />
<meta property="og:site_name" content="National Institutes of Health (NIH)" />
<meta property="og:type" content="article" />
<meta property="og:title" content="Yoga or Stretching Eases Low Back Pain" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/yoga-or-stretching-eases-low-back-pain" />
<meta property="og:description" content="Weekly classes of yoga or intensive stretching are equally effective at reducing low back pain and improving back movement, a new study reports." />
<meta property="og:updated_time" content="2015-07-02T16:00:17-04:00" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/news-events/research-matters/2011/20111031-yoga.jpg" />
<meta property="og:image:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/news-events/research-matters/2011/20111031-yoga-cropped.jpg" />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" />
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Yoga or Stretching Eases Low Back Pain" />
<meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/yoga-or-stretching-eases-low-back-pain" />
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Weekly classes of yoga or intensive stretching are equally effective at reducing low back pain and improving back movement, a new study reports." />
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/news-events/research-matters/2011/20111031-yoga.jpg" />
<meta property="article:published_time" content="2015-05-22T23:00:53-04:00" />
<meta property="article:modified_time" content="2015-07-02T16:00:17-04:00" />
<meta name="owner" content="OD" />
<meta name="published_date" content="2015-05-22T23:00:53-04:00" />
<meta name="last_revision" content="2015-07-02T16:00:17-04:00" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_PfvPCWanzn7FjDwZqwAHhPoOxYKwkQP-RZSK1pFFG0s.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css__mIWP9gcStq74isjZVoAAsiih8VXwJoN75Nyw_BXrj0.css" media="screen" />
<style media="print">#sb-container{position:relative;}#sb-overlay{display:none;}#sb-wrapper{position:relative;top:0;left:0;}#sb-loading{display:none;}
</style>
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_jENQOQqZCRFGZK__DTefxYiXR2RUf03k1ugj3_Vg7vk.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/qtip2/3.0.3/jquery.qtip.min.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_3yt-b0M1HNJsvKsXwYjh5TEtX2lJGAvJvtmVAfORYZs.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Droid+Sans:700,regular|Droid+Serif:italic,regular&amp;subset=latin" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_E4VlyxyL3JMcT6dslWLGb0uQdoI2bh_Xj0N65V-bcWo.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_5rDMv37-JxnNA70cRr_1jlAjVs56DCb8EN4XB2QLl0c.css" media="all" />
<!--[if lte IE 8]>
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_aLJB_yHt22A_mQek4IRDNsur5tEkCpqLe72j_w6QHQ0.css" media="all" />
<![endif]-->
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_KviiBystpJcQq4MplcQZvCFxnu9V763f5bPq_AKh4xM.css" media="all" />
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_mQAv54bz2JVXcwS5QWlz0fVY9Os67zeu9bgNqtlVLPY.js"></script>
<script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-2.2.4.min.js"></script>
<script>window.jQuery || document.write("<script src='/sites/all/modules/contrib/jquery_update/replace/jquery/2.2/jquery.min.js'>\x3C/script>")</script>
<script>jQuery.migrateMute=true;jQuery.migrateTrace=false;</script>
<script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-migrate-1.4.1.min.js"></script>
<script>window.jQuery && window.jQuery.migrateWarnings || document.write("<script src='/sites/all/modules/contrib/jquery_update/replace/jquery-migrate/1.4.1/jquery-migrate.min.js'>\x3C/script>")</script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_9sGTPBGcOGZjLiSLGrYEnuUf8VdvLmL_DEZNNNbnHXk.js"></script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_hNnF7a_sbk6nZ2-mOamHzalYND7HBHDLRInsaU93HDk.js"></script>
<script>document.createElement( "picture" );</script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_gHk2gWJ_Qw_jU2qRiUmSl7d8oly1Cx7lQFrqcp3RXcI.js"></script>
<script src="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/qtip2/3.0.3/jquery.qtip.min.js"></script>
<script defer="defer" src="//script.crazyegg.com/pages/scripts/0011/2616.js"></script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_3s0l7MQ3oYmGkNAypyzCJq3a0wT85XX_P1SLgnph5K4.js"></script>
<script>
Shadowbox.path = "/sites/all/libraries/shadowbox/";
</script>
<script>jQuery.extend(Drupal.settings, {"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"instances":"{\u0022default\u0022:{\u0022content\u0022:{\u0022text\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022style\u0022:{\u0022tip\u0022:false,\u0022classes\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022position\u0022:{\u0022at\u0022:\u0022bottom right\u0022,\u0022adjust\u0022:{\u0022method\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022my\u0022:\u0022top left\u0022,\u0022viewport\u0022:false},\u0022show\u0022:{\u0022event\u0022:\u0022mouseenter \u0022},\u0022hide\u0022:{\u0022event\u0022:\u0022mouseleave \u0022}}}","qtipDebug":"{\u0022leaveElement\u0022:0}","shadowbox":{"animate":true,"animateFade":true,"animSequence":"wh","auto_enable_all_images":1,"auto_gallery":1,"autoplayMovies":true,"continuous":false,"counterLimit":10,"counterType":"default","displayCounter":true,"displayNav":true,"enableKeys":true,"fadeDuration":0.34999999999999998,"handleOversize":"resize","handleUnsupported":"link","initialHeight":160,"initialWidth":320,"language":"en","modal":false,"overlayColor":"#000","overlayOpacity":0.80000000000000004,"resizeDuration":0.55000000000000004,"showMovieControls":true,"slideshowDelay":0,"viewportPadding":20,"useSizzle":false},"picture":{"mappings":[["Sidebar media mappings","sidebar_media_mappings"],["Floated media mappings","floated_media_mappings"],["Not Set","not_set"]],"label":"Image size (required)"},"extlink":{"extTarget":"_blank","extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":0,"extIconPlacement":0,"extSubdomains":1,"extExclude":"(.\\.nih\\.gov.)|(.\\.cancer\\.gov.)|(.\\.genome\\.gov.)|(.\\.drugabuse\\.gov.)|(locatorplus\\.gov.)|(.\\.govdelivery\\.com.)|(.\\.hatchbuck\\.com.)|(nihseniorhealth\\.gov.)|(clinicaltrials\\.gov.)|(search\\.usa\\.gov\\\/search\\?affiliate\\=hip.)|(search\\.gov\\\/search\\?affiliate\\=hip.)|(drugabuse\\.gov.)|(medlineplus\\.gov.)|(collegedrinkingprevention\\.gov.)|(smokefree\\.gov.)|(arpa-h\\.gov.)|(nih\\.sharepoint\\.com)","extInclude":"(.\\.pagefreezer\\.com.)","extCssExclude":".media, .emergency-message, .slideshow-main, .bean-home-slideshow-2l-block","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":"_blank","extAlertText":"You are leaving the NIH website.\r\n\r\nThis external link provides additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of this site. NIH cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal site.\r\n\r\nLinking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by NIH or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site. You will be subject to the destination site\u2019s privacy policy when you follow the link.","mailtoClass":"mailto","mailtoLabel":"(link sends e-mail)","extUseFontAwesome":0}});</script>
<script type="application/javascript" id="uws-snippet">
// Verint Unified WebSDK Integration Snippet v2.3
//
// Instructions: please embed this snippet directly into every page of your website template.
// For optimal performance, this should be embedded directly into the template, not referenced as
// an external file.
//
// DO NOT MODIFY BELOW THIS LINE *****************************************
(function () {
var cookies = document.cookie.split("; ").reduce(function (o, i) { var p = i.split("="); o[p[0]] = p[1]; return o; }, {});
var containerValue = cookies.uws_container_override && JSON.parse(decodeURIComponent(cookies.uws_container_override));
var config = {
moduleHost: "ucm-us.verint-cdn.com",
configHost: "ucm-us.verint-cdn.com",
siteKey: "nih-gov",
container: containerValue || "live",
loadTime: Date.now()
};
var readyCallbacks = []; window.uwsReady = function (callback) { readyCallbacks.push(callback); };
var sdkPath = "//" + [config.moduleHost, "files/sites", config.siteKey, config.container, "sdk.js"].join("/");
var script = document.createElement("script"); script.src = sdkPath; script.async = true; script.type = "module";
script.addEventListener("load", function () { window.unifiedSDK.start(config, readyCallbacks); });
document.head.appendChild(script);
})();
// DO NOT MODIFY ABOVE THIS LINE *****************************************
</script>
</head>
<body class="html not-front not-logged-in page-node page-node- page-node-7756 node-type-nih-research-matters section navigation-nih-research-matters section-news-events">
<a href="#main-content" class="element-invisible element-focusable">Skip to main content</a>
<noscript aria-hidden="true"><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5CBCNW2" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>
<div class="l-page has-one-sidebar has-sidebar-second">
<div class="l-page-content">
<header class="l-header" role="banner">
<div class="l-ribbon-wrapper">
<ul class="l-ribbon">
<li><span class="ribbon-hhs"></span><a href="https://www.hhs.gov">U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services</a><span class="ribbon-right"></span></li>
</ul>
</div> <div class="l-banner-wrapper">
<div class="l-banner">
<div class="l-branding">
<a class="nih-logo icon-nih-logo" href="/" title="National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Turning Discovery into Health" rel="home"><img src="/sites/all/themes/nih/images/nih-logo-color.png" width="390" height="60" alt="National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Turning Discovery into Health" /></a>
</div>
<!-- DigitalGov Search -->
<form accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search" id="search" class="search-form site-search" method="get">
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="&#x2713;" /></div>
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="nih" />
<label for="query" class="hide">Search the NIH Website</label>
<input autocomplete="on" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-site-search" id="query" name="query" type="text" placeholder="Search NIH" /><input type="submit" name="commit" value="Search" class="form-button form-button-site-search" />
</form>
<ul class="banner-utilities">
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Virtual Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ned.nih.gov/">Staff Directory</a></li>
<li><a href="https://salud.nih.gov">En Espa&ntilde;ol</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</header>
<div class="l-navigation-wrapper">
<!-- ****************** SITE MENU ****************** -->
<h2 class="element-invisible">Site Menu</h2>
<nav class="l-menu-wrapper">
<ul class="l-menu">
<!-- ********* HOME TAB (Mobile view only) ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-home">
<div class="tab home"><a href="/"><span>Home</span></a></div>
</li>
<!-- ********* HEALTH INFO TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-healthinfo tab-wrapper-left">
<div class="tab"><a href="/health-information"><span>Health Information</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/programs/social-services/health-care-facilities/index.html">Health Care Providers & Facilities</a></li>
<li><a href="/health-information/health-info-lines">Health Info Lines</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.healthcare.gov">HealthCare.gov</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/science-education">Science Education Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you">NIH Clinical Research Trials and You</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/talking-your-doctor">Talking to Your Doctor</a></li>
<!--<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/clear-health-nih" title="">Clear Health AZ</a></li>-->
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/health-information" title="More Health Information">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<form id="hipsearch" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search" method="get" class="search-form">
<p class="subhead"><label for="query2">Search Health Topics</label></p>
<div class="input-wrapper">
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="&#x2713;" /></div>
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="hip" />
<input type="hidden" name="dc" value="940" />
<input autocomplete="on" maxlength="50" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-search" id="query2" name="query" type="text" />
<input name="commit" type="submit" value="Go" id="searchbutton" class="form-button" />
</div>
</form>
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-medlineplus" href="https://medlineplus.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">MedlinePlus Health Info</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-newsinhealth" href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH News in Health</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-wellnesstoolkits" href="/health-information/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits"><span class="minibadge-text">Wellness Toolkits</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* GRANTS TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-grants tab-wrapper-left">
<div class="tab"><a href="/grants-funding"><span>Grants & Funding</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov">Grants Home Page</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/funding/index.htm">Find Funding</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/due-dates-and-submission-policies/due-dates.htm">Due Dates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.html">How to Apply</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/about_grants.htm">About Grants</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/policy/index.htm">Policy &amp; Compliance</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/">Grants News/Blog</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/funding/contracts.htm">Contracts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.lrp.nih.gov/">Loan Repayment</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/grants-funding" title="More Grants &amp; Funding Information">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-report" href="https://report.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">RePORT</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-era" href="https://commons.era.nih.gov/commons/"><span class="minibadge-text">eRA Commons</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-commonfund" href="https://commonfund.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Common Fund</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* NEWS TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-news tab-wrapper-left">
<div class="tab"><a href="/news-events"><span>News &amp; Events</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/news-events/news-releases">News Releases</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/digital-media-kits">Digital Media Kits</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/media-resources">Media Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/media-contacts">Media Contacts</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/images-b-roll">Images and B-roll</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/events">Events</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/social-media-outreach">Social Media</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/news-events" title="More News &amp; Events">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-newsinhealth" href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH News in Health</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-researchmatters" href="/news-events/nih-research-matters"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Research Matters</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nihrecord" href="https://nihrecord.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Record</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* RESEARCH TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-research tab-wrapper-right">
<div class="tab"><a href="/research-training"><span>Research &amp; Training</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/research-training/medical-research-initiatives">Medical Research Initiatives</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/science-highlights">Science Highlights</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/science-education">Science Education</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/research-nih-labs-clinics">Research in NIH Labs &amp; Clinics</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/training-opportunities">Training Opportunities</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/library-resources">Library Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/research-resources">Research Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/clinical-research-resources">Clinical Research Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/safety-regulation-guidance">Safety, Regulation and Guidance</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/research-training" title="More Research &amp; Training">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-pubmed" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">PubMed</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-stemcell" href="https://stemcells.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">Stem Cell Information</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-oppnet" href="https://oppnet.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">OppNet</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nidb" href="https://intramural.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">NIDB</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nihblueprint" href="https://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* INSTITUTES TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-institutes tab-wrapper-right">
<div class="tab"><a href="/institutes-nih"><span>Institutes at NIH</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/list-institutes-centers">List of Institutes and Centers</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director">NIH Office of the Director</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/directors-nih-institutes-centers">Directors of NIH Institutes and Centers</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-institute-center-contact-information">NIH Institute and Center Contact Information</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/institutes-nih" title="More About the Institutes at NIH">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul class="ic-acronymn-list">
<li><a href="https://www.cancer.gov" title="National Cancer Institute">NCI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nei.nih.gov" title="National Eye Institute">NEI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov" title="National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute">NHLBI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.genome.gov" title="National Human Genome Research Institute">NHGRI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Aging">NIA</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism">NIAAA</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases">NIAID</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niams.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases">NIAMS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nibib.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering">NIBIB</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov" title="Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development">NICHD</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nidcd.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders">NIDCD</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research">NIDCR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases">NIDDK</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nida.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Drug Abuse">NIDA</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences">NIEHS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov" title="National Institute of General Medical Sciences">NIGMS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Mental Health">NIMH</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nimhd.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities">NIMHD</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke">NINDS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ninr.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Nursing Research">NINR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov" title="National Library of Medicine">NLM</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cc.nih.gov" title="NIH Clinical Center">CC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cit.nih.gov" title="Center for Information Technology">CIT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.csr.nih.gov" title="Center for Scientific Review">CSR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fic.nih.gov" title="Fogarty International Center">FIC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ncats.nih.gov" title="National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences">NCATS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nccih.nih.gov" title="National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health">NCCIH</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* ABOUT TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-about tab-wrapper-right">
<div class="tab"><a href="/about-nih"><span>About NIH</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/about-nih/who-we-are">Who We Are</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do">What We Do</a></li>
<li><a href="https://hr.nih.gov/jobs">Jobs at NIH</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/visitor-information">Visitor Information</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/contact-us">Contact Us</a></li>
<!--<li><a href="/about-nih/explore-nih">Explore NIH</a></li>-->
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/about-nih" title="More About NIH">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/about-nih/who-we-are/nih-director">The NIH Director</a></li>
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Take the Virtual Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-turning-discovery-into-health">NIH&hellip;Turning Discovery Into Health<sup>&reg;</sup></a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/impact-nih-research">Impact of NIH Research</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/science-health-public-trust">Science, Health, and Public Trust</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="tab-bkgnd"></div><!-- For pixel rounding issue -->
</nav>
<!-- ****************** END SITE MENU ****************** -->
</div>
<div class="l-main-wrapper">
<div class="l-main" id="page-content">
<h2 class="element-invisible">You are here</h2><div class="breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a> » <a href="/news-events">News &amp; Events</a> » <a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters">NIH Research Matters</a></div> <div class="l-region l-region--section-header">
<div id="block-block-101" class="block block--block sectionheader block--block-101" id="block-block-101" class="block block--block sectionheader block--block-101">
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<h2><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters">NIH Research Matters</a></h2> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="l-content-wrapper">
<div class="l-content" role="main">
<a id="main-content"></a>
<div about="/news-events/nih-research-matters/yoga-or-stretching-eases-low-back-pain" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document" class="ds-1col node node--nih-research-matters view-mode-full node--full node--nih-research-matters--full clearfix">
<p class="publishdate"><span property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-10-31T00:00:00-04:00" class="date-display-single">October 31, 2011</span></p><div class='syndicate'><h1>Yoga or Stretching Eases Low Back Pain</h1><div class="media-float-right"><div class="ds-1col file file-image file-image-jpeg view-mode-floated_media clearfix">
<picture title="Photo of women doing yoga stretches">
<!--[if IE 9]><video style="display: none;"><![endif]-->
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-large/public/news-events/research-matters/2011/20111031-yoga.jpg?itok=dr8PBM4-&amp;timestamp=1433356053 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 960px)" />
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2011/20111031-yoga.jpg?itok=3h8M_jJJ&amp;timestamp=1433356053 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 800px)" />
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2011/20111031-yoga.jpg?itok=lbFOqG_e&amp;timestamp=1433356053 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 600px)" />
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2011/20111031-yoga.jpg?itok=IcC_EuGR&amp;timestamp=1433356053 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 480px)" />
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-tiny/public/news-events/research-matters/2011/20111031-yoga.jpg?itok=AH_lCDjO&amp;timestamp=1433356053 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 0)" />
<!--[if IE 9]></video><![endif]-->
<img src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2011/20111031-yoga.jpg?itok=3h8M_jJJ&amp;timestamp=1433356053" alt="Photo of women doing yoga stretches" title="Photo of women doing yoga stretches" />
</picture></div>
</div><p>A new study reports that weekly classes of yoga or intensive stretching are equally effective at reducing low back pain and improving back movement. Both proved better than a self-care book, and their benefits lasted several months after the classes ended.</p>
<p>Each year, Americans spend over $50 billion on low back pain. It is the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading reason for missed work. A variety of treatments are available, but none have proved to be highly effective for chronic back pain. In addition, little is known about the comparative effectiveness of these therapies.</p>
<p>Several small studies have found that yoga may ease back pain. Based on ancient Indian philosophy, yoga has been practiced for more than 2,000 years. It typically combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. Because it integrates both mind and body, some people suspect that yoga might be more beneficial than other exercise techniques in improving back pain. However, no studies have conclusively shown that yoga has this advantage.</p>
<p>To investigate, a team of researchers led by Dr. Karen J. Sherman of the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle launched a clinical trial that enrolled 228 adults. All had moderate low back pain that had lasted for at least 3 months. The study was funded by NIH's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).</p>
<p>Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. Two groups received 12 weekly 75-minute classes of either yoga (92 participants) or stretching exercises led by a licensed physical therapist (91 participants). Those taking yoga or stretching were asked to practice at home each non-class day for at least 20 minutes. The remaining 45 volunteers received a self-care book that described the causes of back pain and suggested exercise and lifestyle changes to reduce pain. The study results were reported in the October 24, 2011, advance online edition of the <em>Archives of Internal Medicine.</em></p>
<p>The researchers found that after 3 months, the outcomes for the yoga group were better than those in the self-care group and continued to be better even at 6 months. The effectiveness of stretching was similar to yoga at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Compared to the self-care group, more yoga and stretching participants reduced their medication use for back pain. Those taking yoga or stretching classes also had better back functioning and were significantly more likely to rate their back pain as better or completely gone at all follow-up times.</p>
<p>“We expected back pain to ease more with yoga than with stretching, so our findings surprised us,” says Sherman. The similar effectiveness of the 2 exercise-based approaches suggests that the benefits of yoga for back pain may have less to do with the mental component than with the physical aspects of muscle stretching and strengthening.</p>
<p>“Our results suggest that both yoga and stretching can be good, safe options for people who are willing to try physical activity to relieve their moderate low back pain” Sherman says. She adds that it's important for classes to be taught by instructors who can tailor the difficulty and adjust stretches and postures to accommodate participants' physical limitations.</p>
<p>— by Vicki Contie</p>
</div><h2 class="label-above">Related Links</h2><ul class="spaced print-urls"><li><a href="http://nccam.nih.gov/health/yoga/introduction.htm" target="_top">Yoga for Health</a></li><li><a href="http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/detail_backpain.htm" target="_top">Low Back Pain Fact Sheet</a></li><li><a href="http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Back_Pain/default.asp" target="_top">Back Pain</a></li></ul>
</div>
<div class="lastupdated">
</div> </div>
<aside class="l-region l-region--sidebar-second masonry-container">
<div id="block-ds-extras-in-this-edition" class="block block--ds-extras box block--ds-extras-in-this-edition" id="block-ds-extras-in-this-edition" class="block block--ds-extras box block--ds-extras-in-this-edition">
<h3 class="block__title">In this Edition</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div class="view view-nih-rm-in-this-edition view-id-nih_rm_in_this_edition view-display-id-default view-dom-id-cc31f658371b50fd2bea3fedb8d8bc72">
<div class="view-content">
<div>
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/pinpointing-kidney-disease-risk-african-americans">Pinpointing Kidney Disease Risk in African Americans</a></p> </div>
<div>
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/yoga-or-stretching-eases-low-back-pain" class="active">Yoga or Stretching Eases Low Back Pain</a></p> </div>
<div>
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/perinatal-antidepressant-may-affect-brain-development">Perinatal Antidepressant May Affect Brain Development</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div> </div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-search" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-search" id="block-bean-research-matters-search" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-search">
<h3 class="block__title">Search NIH Research Matters</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---search" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<!-- DigitalGov Search -->
<form id="directorsearch" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search/docs" method="get" class="search-form">
<div class="input-wrapper">
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /></div>
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="nih" />
<input type="hidden" name="dc" value="678" />
<label for="query2" class="hide">Search NIH Research Matters' stories</label>
<input autocomplete="off" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-search" id="query2" name="query" type="text" />
<input name="commit" type="submit" value="Go" id="searchbutton" class="form-button" />
</div>
</form>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-contact-us" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-contact-us" id="block-bean-research-matters-contact-us" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-contact-us">
<h3 class="block__title">Connect with Us</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---contact-us" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<p><a class="button-link" href="https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIH/subscriber/new?topic_id=USNIH_48" onclick="window.open(this.href,'popup','width=725,height=500,left=25,top=25,location=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,status=yes');return false;">Subscribe to get NIH Research Matters by email</a></p>
<ul class="icon-list">
<li><a class="icon-link rss-monochrome" href="/nih-research-matters/feed.xml"><span class="icon"></span>RSS feed</a></li>
<li><a class="icon-link facebook-monochrome" href="https://www.facebook.com/ResearchMatters"><span class="icon"></span>Facebook</a></li>
<li><a class="icon-link email-monochrome" href="mailto:nihresearchmatters@od.nih.gov"><span class="icon"></span>Email us</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Mailing Address:</strong><br />
NIH Research Matters<br />
Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B52, MSC 2094<br />
Bethesda, MD 20892-2094</p></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-popular-stori" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-popular-stori" id="block-bean-research-matters-popular-stori" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-popular-stori">
<h3 class="block__title">Popular Stories</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---popular-stori" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-can-we-slow-aging">Research in Context: Can we slow aging?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/brain-changes-observed-during-pregnancy">Brain changes observed during pregnancy</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-detecting-cancer">Research in Context: Detecting cancer</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/risk-future-burden-dementia-united-states">Risk and future burden of dementia in the United States </a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/complete-wiring-map-adult-fruit-fly-brain">Complete wiring map of an adult fruit fly brain</a></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-about" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-about" id="block-bean-research-matters-about" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-about">
<h3 class="block__title">About NIH Research Matters</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---about" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<p><strong>Editor:</strong> Harrison Wein, Ph.D.</p>
<p><strong>Assistant Editors:</strong> Vicki Contie and Brian Doctrow, Ph.D.</p>
<p><strong><em>NIH Research Matters </em></strong>is a weekly update of NIH research highlights reviewed by NIHs experts. It's published by the <a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison">Office of Communications and Public Liaison</a> in the <a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director">NIH Office of the Director</a>.</p>
<p>ISSN 2375-9593</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</aside>
</div>
<div class="l-connect-wrapper">
<div class="l-connect">
<h2 class="element-invisible">Connect with Us</h2>
<ul>
<li><a class="contactus-monochrome" href="/about-nih/contact-us"><span class="icon"></span>Contact Us</a></li>
<li><a class="twitter-monochrome" href="https://twitter.com/NIH"><span class="icon"></span>X</a></li>
<li><a class="facebook-monochrome" href="https://www.facebook.com/nih.gov"><span class="icon"></span>Facebook</a></li>
<li><a class="instagram-monochrome" href="https://www.instagram.com/nihgov/"><span class="icon"></span>Instagram</a></li>
<li><a class="youtube-monochrome" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/nihod"><span class="icon"></span>YouTube</a></li>
<li><a class="flickr-monochrome" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nihgov/"><span class="icon"></span>Flickr</a></li>
<li><a class="social-monochrome" href="/news-events/social-media-outreach"><span class="icon"></span>More Social Media from NIH</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="l-footer-wrapper">
<footer class="l-footer" role="contentinfo">
<h2 class="element-invisible">Footer</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/">NIH Home</a></li>
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Virtual Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="https://salud.nih.gov">En Español</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/visitor-information">Visitor Information</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
<li><a href="/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a></li>
<li><a href="/disclaimers">Disclaimers</a></li>
<li><a href="/accessibility">Accessibility</a></li>
<li><a href="/nih-website-archives">NIH Website Archives</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="/nondiscrimination-notice">Nondiscrimination Notice</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/freedom-information-act-office">Freedom of Information Act</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.edi.nih.gov/no-fear-act">No Fear Act</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li>
<li><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov">Office of Inspector General</a></li>
<li><a class="lastTab" href="https://www.usa.gov/">USA.gov</a></li>
</ul>
<p>NIH&hellip;Turning Discovery Into Health<sup>&reg;</sup></p>
<p>National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892</p>
<p><a href="https://www.hhs.gov">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a></p>
</footer>
</div>
<div class="back-to-top"><a href="#"><span class="icon-arrow-up"></span><span class="text">Back to Top</span></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_7Ukqb3ierdBEL0eowfOKzTkNu-Le97OPm-UqTS5NENU.js"></script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_E9yUYWK8EMydR0HMIp2PahVxPAClXyH0Cnh782A15UM.js"></script>
</body>
</html>