All I know is that I have a degenerative disc condition which has trapped the main sciatic nerve on both sides. I cannot walk very far at all but when I practice a mix of yoga and pilates my pain eases and I feel much better. So yes YOGA DOES HELP BACK PAIN. I am hoping as I become more flexible my pain will diminish even more and maybe one day I will be pain free.

I think it depends on the back problem (and the style of yoga) but if they´d asked me I´d say that if it had not been of yoga (kundalini in my case) I´d not be able function without a lot of physiotherapy and painkillers. It has changed the way I live my life.

I don't care about "lack of evidence." I only know that doing the Yin Yoga Infant Series as lead by Paul Grilley via his DVD, is the MOST amazing thing I have EVER done for my back.

It is not the best for toning my upper body (missing the plank and similar poses). I feel so incredibly good doing the series, as my spine stretches, strengthens; circulation is improved and muscles and connective tissue come alive!

As my back improves, I will return to his other poses on his DVD, but I fell in love with the Infant Series, which he says is more Yang than Yin. I don't care what he calls it, I am healing myself!

All these "experts" should shut up and listen to the public, instead of using their own convoluted methods of gathering and analyzing "data." They should hang their heads in shame because too many people are in pain which could be relieved or at least mitigated re yoga.

Not all yoga is created the same. There's a huge difference between Yin Yoga and Power/Flow Yoga. It's up to each of us to explore the healing arts to find what helps us the most.

People should stop listening to "medical experts" and listen to their bodies and trust themselves enough to heal themselves.

Which has been around longer, traditional western medicine or yoga? Not enough evidence? What has modern medicine offered, other than drugs, surgery and pain?

Check out DVDs from the library, research the net, take a few classes, read some yoga mags, buy some DVDS/books and slowly go at it!

Namaste. I'm off to do my daily Infant Series!

After years of chronic illness, pain and fatigue, yoga has really been my personal path to healing. In addition to the chronic fatigue and constant pain, I had sciatica, SI problems, herniated discs – you name it. I had no idea what my first yoga class would lead to! It took full on dedication to the process and 10 years to grow a decent immune system. At 48, I feel healthier and more energized than I did at 38, 28 or 18 years old.
I have studied yoga for over 20 years, teaching and becoming a yoga therapist along the way. I was compelled to make this healing process available to the public, and the result is The Essential Low Back Program. I have been working on this project for the last 8 years with The National Institute of Health who funded a study looking at yoga therapy for the treatment of lower back pain. We collaborated with the Group Health Center for Health Studies, and the results were so exciting that the Annals of Internal Medicine picked it up. It is a simple and affordable at home practice, and I am very excited to make it available to everyone. (Please visit www.yogabackcare.com to learn more.)

I'm not sure why all these modalities are lumped together in the first place. Only one involves physical exercise... Yoga. As someone that has suffered from knee and foot problems, not all forms of physical activity are possible for me. Yoga IS and it keeps me feeling good and off the pain medicine that many doctors are so willing to give out.

Thankfully, my primary care physician is VERY aware of Yoga's benefits and has been a big encouragement.

Who needs evidences when we are talking about Yoga?

Yoga cured the back pain that I had had for 10 years. I started practicing yoga about 1 1/2 years ago at the age of 35, and I haven't had any back problems since. I usually practice yoga for a half hour about 4 to 5 times a week.