Back Pain & Yoga
Why StrongPosture™ Exercise Works So Well
The clinical implications of the BAM model of posture was supported by Tilbrook's recent Annals of Internal Medicine study Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Trial, November, 2011.
Test participants in the 300+ person study were given either "educational postural advice...poses targeted stiff, weak, and uneducated areas of the whole body, with the intention of improving mobility, strength, and posture and reducing pain". The control group was given the "usual back pain education booklet".
Tilbrook's conclusion:
"Offering a 12-week yoga program to adults with chronic or recurrent low back pain led to greater improvements in back function than usual care"
My Observation:
The researchers specifically trained people to be more body aware (building StrongPosture™ consciousness) and to unlock tight links in their kinetic chain to improve Balance, Alignment and Motion control ( BAM ), the three eponymous elements of posture.
ALSO: As shown in the chart below, the yoga protocol improved back pain better than other interventions in statistical comparison to prior studys of manipulation (chiropractic) and Alexander (body awareness training)
My Speculation: Integrating the benefits of BAM StrongPosture™ exercise protocols with with manipulation, massage and other motion therapy will show even better results (an observation made by myself and many CPEPS, but which is currently anecdotal). Work on getting a study done is underway.
Personal Note: I have personally benefitted tremendously from yoga, and the development of the StrongPosture™ exercise protocols were strongly influenced by personal practice.
Read the study:
- Tags: back pain, CPEP, posture exercise, posture science, research, weiniger, yoga
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