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Women with back pain may benefit from yoga

thumbnail It's not a stretch—Recent research at the San Diego VA Medical Center confirms the benefits of yoga for women with low back pain. (Photo: iStock)

A study at the VA San Diego Healthcare System suggests that women Veterans with chronic low back pain can see improvements in pain and energy levels and overall mental health status from participating in yoga. The study assessed the women before and after they took part in 10 weeks of yoga practice in classes and at home. According to the researchers, the women in the study showed greater improvements than did men who had completed a similar program. A more rigorous trial is now being designed to further study the benefits of yoga for low back pain in both male and female Veterans. (Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, online July 19, 2012)



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