Yoga may provide relief from chronic neck pain. The usual treatment for this condition is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or diclofenac, but such drugs can cause serious side effects. German researchers conducted a small, randomized and controlled trial testing yoga against self-care exercise. The yoga group experienced significant pain relief within a month and the authors concluded that Iyengar yoga offers a safe option for chronic neck pain.
[Journal of Pain, Nov. 2012]
To learn more about yoga for chronic neck or shoulder pain, readers may want to listen to our hour-long interview with Loren Fishman, MD, medical director of Manhattan Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
