Yoga for Chronic Pain

Yoga practitioners are quick to point the benefits of yoga that include increased the flexibility and stress-relieving benefits of this ancient practice, but a new study suggests it may be an effective pain-management tool as well.
 
Researchers at Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif., found that just four weeks of regular yoga practice significantly reduced the frequency and severity of chronic pain.

Study was based on a group of people consisting of eighteen men and women with persistent chronic pain attended 90-minute Iyengar yoga sessions, three times per week for one month. Iyengar yoga combines various yoga poses with meditative breathing exercises.
 
Using weekly questionnaires, researchers concluded that the indiviudal who participated in this study were using less pain medication and had lower levels of anxiety than at the start of the study. Their mental state was significantly improved as well.
 
Based on this and similar past studies lead investigator Dr. Sonia D. Gaur believes yoga may be an effective pain management tool for those who live with chronic pain, but suggests more studies need to be done to confirm these benefits.