Back pain is one of the most common ailments that Americans face. And while medications can help, most doctors agree that strengthening and stretching the muscles in the back is one of the best ways to relieve long-term pain. One way to do this is to try yoga for back pain.

What is Yoga?

Yoga is a practice that dates back thousands of years. It strives to create a balance between the body and mind, and works to promote strength and flexibility. It is done through a series of poses. Each pose has its own name and purpose, whether physical or mental. While there are different types of yoga, they differ mostly in approach (speed of poses, heat of studio, etc.), all use the same basic poses and principles. Yoga is known to help relieve stress and increase strength and flexibility. And yoga for back pain can help work towards living pain-free.

How Does Yoga Help Back Pain?

One of the reasons that many doctors recommend yoga for back pain is that it helps to strengthen the muscles in the back. Stronger muscles lead to fewer injuries (and, of course, less pain). Yoga also strengthens the muscles in the abdominal region, which help support the back. Yoga also helps back pain by stretching the muscles in the back. Stretching the back muscles leads to greater flexibility and lessens the chance of injury. It also can help relieve existing back pain. Finally, doing yoga for back pain helps to concentrate your breathing, which can lessen pain that you are already in.

Where Do I Get Started?

Getting started doing yoga for back pain is easy. Most experts recommend taking a yoga class to start to ensure that you are doing the moves properly. Yoga classes are offered at most gyms and REC centers, and some focus specifically on relieving back pain. Most major cities also have centers specifically devoted to yoga classes; check to see if the center near your home offers a free trial class or a special group for beginners. There are also yoga DVDs and videos available to do at home. These are great for those who have tried the poses in a class setting before, or who have time constraints that make going to a class difficult. There are also yoga videos available that specifically target yoga for back pain. You can also view yoga videos on cable channels like FitTv and through on-demand exercise videos through certain cable providers.