90 Seconds of Yoga Treats Spine Curvature: Study

By Staff Reporter - 13 Oct '14 05:04AM

One can treat spine curvature with just 90 seconds of yoga, according to a study.

Spine curvature or scoliosis affects nearly two to three percent of Americans who helplessly turn to expensive surgical treatments, exercise routines or even wear uncomfortable braces throughout the day. A new research by the Columbia University examined the effects of 25 yoga postures on 25 participants aged between 14 and 85 with idiopathic or degenerative scoliosis. The subjects were instructed to perform a pose called 'side plank' that involves posing sideways and balancing the body's weight on hands and foot for at least 10 to 20 seconds.

After a week's practice, the researchers asked the participants to hold the pose for more than a minute and also took radiographs of their back bone before and after the experiment to assess changes in spine curvature.

Those who held the pose for almost 90 seconds had 32 percent reduction of spine curvature. About 19 participants who practiced the yoga pose at least four times a week saw positive changes and adolescents with a hunchback experienced 50 percent overall improvement in their spine condition.

"Since scoliosis is an asymmetrical condition, I have treated it asymmetrically, asking patients to do the pose on the weaker side only. That strengthens the specific spinal muscles on the convex side that are needed to help with curve reduction," said Loren M. Fishman, study author and researcher from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York City, reports the Medscape.

Yoga is proven to have massive benefits on physical and mental health. Many musculosketal disorders, pain and injuries can be treated by doing simple yoga postures. The study advises teens to practice yoga everyday to overcome physical conditions like spine curvature alongside the bracing treatment for improved results .

"Asymmetrically strengthening the convex side of the primary curve with daily practice of the side plank pose held for as long as possible for an average of 6.8 months significantly reduced the angle of primary scoliotic curves. These results warrant further testing," write the authors in the study, reports the Medical News Today.

More information is available online in the journal Global Advances in Health and Medicine.