US SCIENTISTS say yoga may help improve chronic lower back pain, even if it's delivered via live-streaming online.
They took 140 Cleveland Clinic employees and split them into two groups: 71 lucky ones who got to do live-streamed yoga classes for 12 weeks, dubbed Yoga Now, and 69 others on a Yoga Later waitlist who just watched from the sidelines.
The Yoga Now folks enjoyed weekly, hour-long classes from their living rooms, stretching, breathing, and hopefully not startling their pets.
By the end of 12 weeks, their back pain intensity and daily function had significantly improved compared to those in the waitlist group.
The bonus was that Yoga Now participants also slept better, and their painkiller use dropped by over 20%.
The improvements didn't just vanish after the classes stopped.
By the 24-week mark, those who did the yoga continued to show reduced pain and better sleep, suggesting virtual yoga is more than a passing fad.
The researchers said this study is a win-win for anyone with back pain who doesn't want to leave home for relief.
So, if you're on the fence about trying yoga from your couch, this study says go ahead - just maybe move the coffee table first.
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