Integrating Tradition and Science: A Holistic Approach to Lower Back Pain Management with Yoga and Neurotherapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2024.v09.n06.013Keywords:
lower back pain, holistic approach, integrative medicine, yoga, neurotherapy, pain managementAbstract
Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a widespread global health issue affecting 40 to 80% of adults. Conventional treatments like medications, physical therapy, and surgery often provide only temporary relief and can lead to reinjury and persistent disability. This has sparked growing interest in non-conventional approaches for long-term solutions. This review investigates the potential of integrating ancient traditions and modern scientific findings, specifically Yoga and Neurotherapy, to manage LBP effectively. Literature Review: Existing literature highlights the limitations of conventional LBP treatments and the rising interest in holistic, long-term solutions. Yoga is well-documented for enhancing physical function, promoting relaxation, and improving mind-body awareness. Neurotherapy focuses on regulating the nervous system to modulate pain. By synthesizing various studies, this review presents an integrated approach that leverages the strengths of both Yoga and Neurotherapy for LBP management. Materials and Methods: To explore the effectiveness of Yoga and Neurotherapy in LBP management, a systematic analysis of scientific literature was conducted. Databases such as PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar were searched using keywords like "Yoga," "Neurotherapy," "Low Back Pain," and "integrative treatment." Relevant articles were selected based on their contributions to understanding the mechanisms, effectiveness, and clinical applications of these therapies. Results: The analysis revealed that both Yoga and Neurotherapy offer substantial benefits for LBP sufferers. Yoga enhances physical function, promotes relaxation, and improves mind-body awareness, contributing to long-term relief. Neurotherapy regulates the nervous system to modulate pain, providing an additional layer of management. Combining these approaches creates a synergistic effect, improving patient outcomes more effectively than either treatment alone. Conclusion: Integrating Yoga and Neurotherapy provides a comprehensive, holistic solution for managing LBP, addressing the physical, mental, and neurological dimensions of pain. This review highlights the importance of such integrated strategies and suggests future research should focus on optimizing these approaches to enhance patient outcomes and provide long-term relief from LBP.
References
Winn, P., & Dentino, A. (2004). Effective pain management in the long-term care setting. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 5 5, 342-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1525-8610(04)70025-0.
Weering, M., Vollenbroek-Hutten, M., Tönis, T., & Hermens, H. (2009). Daily physical activities in chronic lower back pain patients assessed with accelerometry. European Journal of Pain, 13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpain.2008.07.005.
Manchikanti, L. (2000). Epidemiology of low back pain. Pain physician, 3 2, 167-92.
Dutmer, A., Preuper, H., Soer, R., Brouwer, S., Bültmann, U., Dijkstra, P., Coppes, M., Stegeman, P., Buskens, E., Asselt, A., Wolff, A., & Reneman, M. (2019). Personal and Societal Impact of Low Back Pain: The Groningen Spine Cohort. Spine. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0000000000003174.
Mason, V., Mathias, B., & Skevington, S. (2008). Accepting Low Back Pain: Is It Related to a Good Quality of Life? The Clinical Journal of Pain, 24, 22-29. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0b013e318156d94f.
Middelkoop, M., Rubinstein, S., Kuijpers, T., Verhagen, A., Ostelo, R., Koes, B., & Tulder, M. (2010). A systematic review on the effectiveness of physical and rehabilitation interventions for chronic non-specific low back pain. European Spine Journal, 20, 19 - 39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-010-1518-3.
Ernst, E. (2003). Serious adverse effects of unconventional therapies for children and adolescents: a systematic review of recent evidence. European Journal of Pediatrics, 162, 72-80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-002-1113-7.
Qaseem, A., Wilt, T., McLean, R., & Forciea, M. (2017). Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of internal medicine, 166 7, 514-530. https://doi.org/10.7326/M16-2367.
Maiers, M., Westrom, K., Legendre, C., & Bronfort, G. (2010). Integrative care for the management of low back pain: use of a clinical care pathway. BMC Health Services Research, 10, 298 - 298. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-10-298
Payyappily, C. (2005). What is holistic health. Health for the millions.
Frisch, N., & Rabinowitsch, D. (2019). What’s in a Definition? Holistic Nursing, Integrative Health Care, and Integrative Nursing: Report of an Integrated Literature Review. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 37, 260 - 272. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010119860685.
Lakhotia, S. (2019). Need for Integration of Ayurveda with Modern Biology and Medicine. Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy. https://doi.org/10.16943/PINSA/2019/49588.
Tew, G., Howsam, J., Hardy, M., & Bissell, L. (2017). Adapted yoga to improve physical function and health-related quality of life in physically-inactive older adults: a randomised controlled pilot trial. BMC Geriatrics, 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-017-0520-6.
Vezenkov, Stoyan. (2011). Neurotherapy and Neurofeedback, as a research field and evidence-based practice in applied neurophysiology, are still unknown to Bulgarian population.
Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196(4286), 129-136.
Gard, T., Noggle, J. J., Park, C. L., Vago, D. R., & Wilson, A. (2014). Potential self-regulatory mechanisms of yoga for psychological health. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 770.
Khalsa, S. B., Cohen, L., McCall, T., & Telles, S. (2015). Principles and practices of yoga in health care. Handspring Publishing.
Maizes, V., Rakel, D., & Niemiec, C. (2002). Integrative medicine and patient-centered care. EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing, 1(2), 102-105.
Pandurangi, A., Keshavan, M., Ganapathy, V., & Gangadhar, B. (2017). Yoga: Past and Present.. The American journal of psychiatry, 174 1, 16-17. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.16080853.
Neumann, D. (2019). “Development of Body, Mind, and Soul:” Paramahansa Yogananda's Marketing of Yoga-Based Religion. Religion and American Culture, 29, 65 - 101. https://doi.org/10.1017/rac.2018.4.
Steinberg, H. (2011). Electrotherapeutic disputes: the 'Frankfurt Council' of 1891. Brain : a journal of neurology, 134 Pt 4, 1229-43 . https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awr040.
Attal, N., & Bouhassira, D. (2021). Advances in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Current Opinion in Neurology, 34, 631 - 637. https://doi.org/10.1097/WCO.0000000000000980.
Mehra, L. R. (2016). Neurotherapy. Hasan Publication. Contributors: Ram Chandran, Ajay Ghandhi, Ram Gopal Parihar.
Dev, D. (2019). Neurotherapy method and practical approach (1st ed.). RENOVA International Publications.
Gandhi, Ajay & Singh, Lakhveer & Pandey, Mayank. (2020). Impact of neurotherapy treatment on knee pain. Integrative Medicine Case Reports. 1. 11. 10.38205/imcr.010111.
Williams, K., Abildso, C., Steinberg, L., Doyle, E., Epstein, B., Smith, D., Hobbs, G., Gross, R., Kelley, G., & Cooper, L. (2009). Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Efficacy of Iyengar Yoga Therapy on Chronic Low Back Pain. Spine, 34, 2066-2076. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181b315cc.
Pittler, M., & Ernst, E. (2008). Complementary Therapies for Neuropathic and Neuralgic Pain: Systematic Review. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 24, 731-733. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0b013e3181759231.
Patel, G., Brosnan, C., & Taylor, A. (2023). Understanding the role of context in health policy implementation: a qualitative study of factors influencing traditional medicine integration in the Indian public healthcare system. Health Sociology Review, 32, 294 - 310. https://doi.org/10.1080/14461242.2023.2210550.
Koithan, M. (2009). Introducing Complementary and Alternative Therapies. The journal for nurse practitioners: JNP, 5 1, 18-20 . https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NURPRA.2008.10.012.
Leboeuf‐Yde, C. (2004). Back pain--individual and genetic factors. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology: official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology, 14 1, 129-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JELEKIN.2003.09.019.
Woolf, C., & Salter, M. (2000). Neuronal plasticity: increasing the gain in pain. Science, 288 5472, 1765-9 . https://doi.org/10.1126/SCIENCE.288.5472.1765.
Arnstein, P. (1997). The Neuroplastic Phenomenon: A Physiologic Link Between Chronic Pain and Learning. Journal of Neurosciences Nursing, 29, 179–186. https://doi.org/10.1097/01376517-199706000-00005.
Vorkapic, C., & Rangé, B. (2014). Reducing the Symptomatology of Panic Disorder: The Effects of a Yoga Program Alone and in Combination with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00177.
Pozdnyakov, S. (2022). Plato’s «soteriology» in the context of classical yoga. Izvestiya of Saratov University. Philosophy. Psychology. Pedagogy. https://doi.org/10.18500/1819-7671-2022-22-2-155-159.
Gard, T., Noggle, J. J., Park, C. L., Vago, D. R., & Wilson, A. (2014). Potential self-regulatory mechanisms of yoga for psychological health. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00770
Tilbrook, H., Cox, H., Hewitt, C., Kang’ombe, A., Chuang, L., Jayakody, S., Aplin, J., Semlyen, A., Trewhela, A., Watt, I., & Torgerson, D. (2011). Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain. Annals of Internal Medicine, 155, 569 - 578. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-155-9-201111010-00003.
Birknes, J., Sharan, A., & Rezai, A. (2006). Treatment of chronic pain with neurostimulation. Progress in neurological surgery, 19, 197-207 . https://doi.org/10.1159/000095192.
Yuan, T., Li, W., Zhang, C., Wei, H., Sun, S., Xu, N., Liu, J., & Xu, T. (2020). Targeting neuroplasticity in patients with neurodegenerative diseases using brain stimulation techniques. Translational Neurodegeneration, 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40035-020-00224-z.
Patel, K., Sutherland, H., Henshaw, J., Taylor, J., Brown, C., Casson, A., Trujillo‐Barreton, N., Jones, A., & Sivan, M. (2020). Effects of neurofeedback in the management of chronic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. European journal of pain. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1612.
Previnaire, J., Nguyen, J., perrouin‐verbe, B., & Fattal, C. (2009). Chronic neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury: efficiency of deep brain and motor cortex stimulation therapies for neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury patients. Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine, 52 2, 188-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rehab.2008.12.002.
Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Hohmann, C., Lüdtke, R., Haller, H., Michalsen, A., Langhorst, J., & Dobos, G. (2013). Randomized-controlled Trial Comparing Yoga and Home-based Exercise for Chronic Neck Pain. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 29, 216–223. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0b013e318251026c.
S, S., S, K., K, S., K., S., & S, S. (2023). A Comparative Study of the Effects of Yoga, Naturopathy, and Conventional Medical Treatment in Managing Low Back Pain. Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences. https://doi.org/10.36347/sjams.2023.v11i08.010.
Poojari, S., Dhiman, D., Ghai, B., Mathur, D., Metri, K., Kataria, K., & Anand, A. (2023). Effectiveness of integrated approach of yoga therapy versus usual care in management on chronic low back pain patients: A randomized controlled pilot study. Pain practice: the official journal of World Institute of Pain. https://doi.org/10.1111/papr.13296.
Patil, N., Nagaratna, R., Garner, C., Raghuram, N., & Crisan, R. (2012). Effect of integrated Yoga on neurogenic bladder dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis-A prospective observational case series. Complementary therapies in medicine, 20 6, 424-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2012.08.003.
Chou, R., & Huffman, L. (2007). Nonpharmacologic Therapies for Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Review of the Evidence for an American Pain Society/American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline. Annals of Internal Medicine, 147, 492-504. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-147-7-200710020-00007.
Petri, L. (2010). Concept analysis of interdisciplinary collaboration. Nursing forum, 45 2, 73-82. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6198.2010.00167.x.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0).