Alistair Berg / Getty Images

Why Yoga for Back Pain Is Beneficial

Yoga improves strength and flexibility.

Strong back muscles are essential for supporting the spine and nerves in your back.

Move slowly and carefully to allow your muscles to gradually stretch into position to avoid further injury.

Woman on a pink yoga mat in a living room doing yoga stretches

Alistair Berg / Getty Images

If your bottom hand stops at your shin or ankle, you are performing the triangle pose.

Sphinx Pose

fizkes / Getty Images

The sphinx pose gently stretches your spine into extension.

Locust Pose

The locust pose can help improve posture and decrease low back pain.

Woman practicing yoga

Prasit photo / Getty Images

Does Yoga for Back Pain Really Work?

Research has shown that yoga can help to reduce back pain symptoms.

However, these results are similar to the effects of other types of exercise.

Young woman in downward facing dog pose

Tanja Ivanova / Getty Images

Talk to a Healthcare Provider

Back pain can indicate an underlying condition that needs medical treatment.

Consider working with a certified yoga instructor who can modify your poses to help keep you safe.

Summary

Yoga poses can help reduce back pain and improve strength and flexibility.

Man practicing extended triangle yoga pose

Kilito Chan / Getty Images

Talk to a healthcare provider before trying yoga for back pain.

2022;23:801. doi:10.1186%2Fs12891-022-05722-x

Harvard Health Publishing.The safe way to do yoga for back pain.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Yoga for pain: what the science says.

Young woman practicing sphinx yoga pose

fizkes / Getty Images

American Council on Exercise.Cat-cow.

American Council on Exercise.Downward-facing dog.

Mercy Health.Yoga for beginners: how to triangle pose.

Young woman practicing locust yoga pose

fizkes / Getty Images

Outside Yoga Journal.Sphinx pose.

Outside Yoga Journal.Cobra pose.

Outside Yoga Journal.Locust pose.

Yoga instructor assisting students with bridge pose

Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images

Outside Yoga Journal.Half lord of the fishes pose.

Yoga International.Jathara parivartanasanathe abdominal twist.

American Council on Exercise.Childs pose.

Yoga class practicing

Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Low back pain.

Man doing child’s pose yoga exercise

Luis Alvarez / Getty Images