Make Your Lower Back Feel Good with These Moves
Want your back to feel good? Then you gotta do all the right moves. And the best moves for your back just might be yoga moves.
In a study, people who practiced yoga daily for 6 months experienced less back pain and disability compared with those who didn't spend time on the mat. And the yogis relied less on pain medication, too.
Strike a Pose
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor. Up to 85 percent of us suffer from lower back pain at some point. But in a study, people with chronic lower back pain who took 90-minute Iyengar yoga classes with an instructor twice a week got quite a bit of pain relief. They also practiced yoga for 30 minutes at home on the days they didn't take a class. And after just 12 weeks, not only did their backs feel better, but their moods improved, too. And they felt even better still after 24 weeks of practice. (Here are 3 more ways yoga does your body good.)
Just Say "Om"
Iyengar yoga is a style that emphasizes strength and flexibility with the use of props for support. It's a gentle form of yoga that includes restful poses -- no backbending contortions here. And it's great to know that it could represent a pill-free way to take some "ouch" out of an achy back. But if you have back pain, check with your doctor first. Here are some other options for helping backs feel better:
- Stress less. Stress can make muscle aches and pains worse. Try this 5-minute technique to destress.
- Take a dip. A little time in the local public pool may be just what your back needs. Find out what pool activities are good for an aching back.
Time to see a doctor about your achy back? Here are three signs that it's time to call on a professional.
