Yoga and stretching classes could help relieve some of the symptoms associated with chronic back pain.

Back pain and other musculo-skeletal pains are common in people who spend hours in the office. The back pain, mild or chronic, is the biggest cause of sickness absence in offices. But, it is not because of any serious disease.

Researchers from Seattle, Washington-based Group Health Research Institute carried out a comparative effectiveness study of yoga and conventional stretching exercises, and found that yoga was more effective than a self- care book, but not more effective than stretching classes in slashing symptoms of chronic low back pain.

Both approaches were found to be very useful in relieving patients of back pain with fewer pain relievers.

Dr. Timothy S. Carey, from the Sheps Center for Health Services Research, Chapel Hill, also said that both yoga and physical therapy–led classes seemed helpful in reducing symptoms of back pain.

Commenting on the topic, Carey said, “Health care providers should feel comfortable referring patients to either yoga or physical therapy–led classes; either seems to be helpful.”

The findings were published in the October 24 Archives of Internal Medicine.