Utilisation of Yoga in Prevention and Treatment of Back Pain.

Utilisation of Yoga in Prevention and Treatment of Back
Pain. Objectivisation Using Infrared Camera.

Juraj Čelko, assoc.prof., MD, PhD
Gabrhel, J, Tauchmannová, H., Bednár, R
Medical Faculty, Trencin University in Trencin, Slovakia

Abstract

Background: Overloading back extensors is a frequent functional disorder of the musculoskeletal system which results in muscle shortening and increased tension. Due to large incidence of this disorder it is necessary to teach techniques of self-treatment providing relaxation to these muscles. As can be expected, several yoga techniques are effectively used in kinesiotherapy. In our study, we focus on effectiveness of anti-gravity relaxation, strengthening and stretching on overloading back extensors. To measure it we use infrared thermography.

Subjects and methods: Four non-professional athletes, three women and one man aged 14 to 33 years (average age: 25 years) without any back pain did four exercises to relax their back extensors. Each exercise session consisted of an active phase (20 seconds) followed by a passive phase (20 seconds), and again an active phase (20 seconds) and then a passive phase (20 seconds). After thermal stabilization prior to exercise, at the end of each phase, 15 minutes and one hour after the exercise session we evaluated their thermograms.

Results: In some positions we observed harmonic interplay of active muscle tension and relaxation which restored balance in the muscle area. The effect of exercising in these positions shows later after the exercise. Therefore, any physical activity within one hour after the exercise should be mild.

Conclusion: We believe that the methods we used here are suitable for long-term research on proper relaxation techniques that could be applied to treat functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Key words: Infrared thermography. Back extensors. Anti-gravity relaxation. Yoga.