In news
Researchers who measured pain, pain tolerance and body flexibility have found that yoga leads to pain relief, increases tolerance of pain and improves flexibility in patients of chronic low back pain
Issue
Most of the yoga-based studies so far have relied on patient’s experience and rating of pain and disability as an indicator of recovery and better quality of life.
About the study
Objective
They recorded objective measures for pain (electrophysiology), sensory perception (quantitative computerized sensory testing) and cortical excitability parameters. (using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of motor cortex).
- The study conducted on 100 Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) patients of 50 years with 3 years of history of the disease.
- After systematic Yogic intervention of 4 weeks, Quantitative sensory testing (QST) showed an increase in thresholds for cold pain and cold pain tolerance. Corticomotor excitability and flexibility improved significantly in the patients.
- Significant improvement in all parameters was found after yoga.
- The study suggests that in long term Yoga can be performed at home, and hence is an inexpensive therapeutic intervention. It not only relieves pain but also improves overall quality of life and bestows other health benefits.
Source: The Hindu
