Many people I know would complain about the evilness of back pain. It has become the second most common reason for working people to visit the doctor.

Most common causes of back pain are the following:

1. Ageing.
2. Stress
3. Strain
4. Injury
5. Disease

So it is safe to say that back pain is common, it is experienced mainly by everybody through the above causes. 50% of Americans experience back pain or has experienced it sometime in their life.

There are two types of back pain, the acute and the chronic. Acute back pain only occurs for a short period while chronic back pain lasts for an extended period of time. Acute back pain is the one that can be addressed by over the counter drugs, self-managed exercises and stretches. Chronic back pain however may be of different causes so it is better to consult a doctor as it may require you to have surgery.

Img: yoga for back pain, source: uaxandri via Flickr

Yoga for Back Pain

Yoga can prevent and help in lessening if not eliminating back pain. Yoga is a natural way of relieving back pain and even strengthening your back for once.  It helps you release tension, align spine and hips and gain supportive strength.

Yoga asanas may be the best curative poses there is to help you in back pain.

When experiencing back pain, try to remember the following:

1. Breathe slowly and deeply. This will help in easing the pain and make it more bearable. Breathing will also help take your mind away from the pain. You breath, you meditate, you are transported to a painless meditation.
2. Do not work your core to the max. It isn’t the case. Ab work isn’t the main way of healing it. Go for core strength as well as length in abdominals, side waist, low and mid back. While doing this, make sure that you keep your abdominal muscles long and lean.
3. Try to consult yoga experts. These instructors and gurus may help you and guide you through the process.

Yoga Poses to Help in Back Pains

Wall plank

This pose requires you to stand in front of the wall. Reach the wall in arm length. Plant palms in the wall, finger wide.

Downward Facing Dog

The pose should have a hip distance apart for feet. Do not arc your back too much.

Fists Forward Bend

Feet hip distance apart, bend knees and release torso over legs until belly touches thighs.

Pigeon

From downward dog bring right knee behind the right wrist, foot touching the hip crease. Stretch left leg out.

Back Traction Pose

Come onto your back, as if to prepare for a bridge pose. Use a yoga bloc and lift hips. Your block should support your center of the hips.

These are the four examples of poses that can help you ease back pain. For further and detailed instruction, see yoga sites that are detailed. They will really help you a lot. Remember that each pose is being accompanied by breathing with different counts. The counts depend on you or your instructor.

About the author:
Ada Hung is a yoga fanatic and health buff. She also designs yoga wear and other yoga apparel for BaliniSports, a yoga wear line dedicated to providing sexy and stylish yoga wear for both men and women.