The use of yoga as a strategy for back pain prevention at the workplace - Essay Example

? The use of Yoga as a Strategy for Back Pain Prevention at the Workplace Background Back pain is a major factor leading to disability and absence at work that in turn, affects work productivity. Recent research by Tekur, Singphow, Nagendra and Raghuram (2008), indicates that yoga can be effective for alleviating back pain, and improving physical and psychological well-being of workers. Given the increasing number of individuals that complain of back pain, this paper aims to study the correlation between back pain and work productivity, the effectiveness of yoga exercises to alleviate the incurrence of pain and, therefore its impacts on workplace absenteeism. The Problem Statement According to Rooney (2008), approximately 70-85% of adults will have low back pain at some point in their lives thereby making lower back pain the most frequent complaint among human beings. It is defined as physical suffering or discomfort that is localized between the bottom of the ribs and the tops of the legs, and can also involve leg pain (Milczarek, 2009). As many suffer from low back pain, the underlying problem is it can hinder productivity and require a person to take days off from work. This can have several implications for companies including the financial costs to the organization in terms of wages and delays in deadlines and deliverables. The implementation of yoga to alleviate the occurrence of back pain can decrease absenteeism in the work place, the number of worker's compensation cases, and the number of lower back injuries. The Purpose Statement The purpose of the study is to find an alternative approach to the treatment of back pain. The efficacy of yoga, when treating this condition, is through changing postures and a set of exercises to strengthen back muscles. A biomechanical frame of reference will be used as a guide in the study to select the types of treatments that best target the causes of back pain and, therefore, are preventing the back from having a normal range of motion and flexibility. The biomechanical frame of reference emphasis increases physical functioning of the body including ROM (range of motion), strength, and coordination to perform functional activities (Pedretti, 2006). The continuum follows along deficits in the peripheral nerves, musculo-skeletal, integumentary (skin covering of an organism), or cardio-pulmonary systems (Pedretti, 2006). Avoidance of high impact weight-bearing activities such as extensive twisting with weight lifting, stair climbing, and repetitive motions at or near the end-ranges of back or hip is necessary. Yoga follows the principles of correct posture, stretching and weight bearing exercises. This study will be conducted using a qualitative approach to clarify and answer the research question. The data analysis will be based on the answers collected through one- on -one interviews. Interviewees will be handed an informed consent regarding the terms of the study, and they will be required to sign it before the interview begins. Significance of the study As a business manager, I have witnessed the effect of back pain on employees’ productivity. I manage a team consisting of ten employees, and frequently an employee calls in sick due to chronic back pain. The reason behind choosing this topic and interviewees is to find alternative methods to improve the chronic back pain of employees, increase workplace productivity, and reduce sick-leave absence. The study population consists of workers in physically demanding jobs from two medium sized companies located in various parts of Miami, Florida. Central Research Question This study aims to answer the question whether yoga improves patients’ ability to cope with their back pain and contribute to work productivity. By improving a patient’s ability to cope with back pain, better results will be achieved allowing them to return to work with an improved quality of life. Conceptual and Theoretical Framework The biomechanical frame of reference approach is based on the principles of kinetics and kinematics science, which studies the effects of force and motion on material bodies) relating to the description of movement and the forces acting on the human body as it moves. The biomechanical model is concerned with the ability to stabilize and move while performing occupations. This model has been taken into consideration for the study because many individuals give up some of their daily activities such as going to work, or they are not able to enjoy leisure activities such as working in the garden or practicing a sport because they suffer from back pain. The biomechanical model measures the range of motion of a joint or groups of joints, its strength (the ability of a muscle to produce tension), endurance (the ability to sustain muscle activity) and elasticity (the ability to stretch and return to original shape) and its size after movement (Kielhofner, 2006), which are all important factors that should be taken into consideration when performing any type of exercise. Literature Review Williams (2003) notes that Yoga is over 5000 years old and it is traditionally used as a means of alleviating pain. History indicates that mental illness and physical suffering is an impediment to achievement of live goals. In most cases, Yoga was used to overcome the mental and physical impediments that affect one’s achievement of life goals. However, Yoga was not traditionally used for healing of a specific part of the body as it is in the society today. Regarded as a holistic approach to health achievements, the National Institute of Health has termed it as a complementary and alternative medicine for patients. Although the method is used for healing back pain and any other body issues in the U.S., Yoga is not an alternative healing system in India but part of the mainstream medicine (National Center for Health Statistics, 2006). Back pain is one of the most frequent complaints among many adults since it is the most common condition that is realized by patients that visit doctors in the U.S. according to Sherman et al. (2011), the problem accounts for 2% of the patients visiting doctors in their offices for routine examination. Among other problems encountered include high blood pressure and diabetes. In a study conducted by Sherman et al. (2005), in 2004 by the National Institute of Health Statistics to establish the common pains that one can experience for more than a day, it was established that low back pain was reported to be the highest with an average of 27% among the respondents as respondents (National Center for Health Statistics, 2006). Despite the many patients suffering from back pain, the costs of diagnosing the problem and treating it are high. An American Medical Association survey of 2005 on costs of treating back pain, it was revealed that the cost of treating spine problem per patient amounted to $6,096 as compared to the $3,516 for other patients that had no back pain issues. The outpatient and inpatient services reported the largest proportion of the costs at 36% and 28% respectively and the other high cost went to medication that cost 23% of the annual cost of treating back pain (Sherman et al., 2005). Role of Yoga in Back Pain Treatment According to Martin et al. (2008), rehabilitative therapies that include Yoga should always be a consideration for most patients that do not respond to medication, back care information and self care. The therapies include exercises, Yoga, acupuncture, massage therapy, spinal manipulation and cognitive behavioral therapy among others. Among the many studies conducted to establish the efficacy of the therapies, it was established that Yoga is effective in treatment of back pain. Many Americans have undertaken Yoga seriously in order to reduce their back pain issues. A 2008 National Health survey that represented 5050 U.S. citizens established that 6.9% of adult U.S. citizens practice Yoga. The survey further notes that 49.4% of the people practicing Yoga do that for their general health benefits while 6.1% practice it on recommendations made by their doctors regarding treatment of back pain. Yoga Methods for Back Pain Relief Yoga utilizes many different methods in order to achieve its objectives of treating diseases. The commonly used Yoga therapy methods in the U.S. include the Iyenga, Viniyoga, integrative Yoga therapy and Phoenix rising Yoga therapy. Iyengar techniques are based on the founder of the method, Iyengar, and they are deeply grounded in the traditional Yoga. In addition, the founder used the techniques for his personal practice. The technique teaches over 60 techniques with the most worthy ones being: emphasis on standing poses that develops strength, stamina and concentration for an individual, who also ends up gaining body alignment. The second is the use of props to facilitate learning and adjustment of poses inflexible people. Lastly, the technique provides information on the use of Yoga to ease various ailments including back pain. Williams (2003) conducted a study on the effectiveness of the Iyengar yoga technique in treating back pain on various respondents. The primary goal was the use of Yoga therapy to treat back pain and relieve pain among back pain patients. He established that the use of the technique enabled the people with back pain realized reduced pain, healing and ultimate correction of the underlying physical condition (Williams, 2003). Unlike the use of conventional medicine in the treatment of back pain, Yoga therapy corrected the physical ailments of the patients including proper tissue, muscle, bone and movement alignment (Sherman, et al., 2011). The general teachings in therapeutic Yoga include extension of the spine before and during the asana, which is one of the techniques of Yoga. A qualified teacher usually provides instructions in Yoga therapies and it forms a low cost intervention for most people affected by back pain especially after comparing its cost with the cost of medication. Learning the poses as taught by the teacher makes the patient effective in self care. Sherman (2005) conducted another study on a specific sequence of postures chosen in Yoga for back pain relief. The participants undertook specific yoga arm exercises that included aerobic strengthening and stretching. It was established that all respondent showed reduced back pain after 12 weeks. Despite its positive effects, Yoga has few negative effects that include few injuries are reported while undertaking the exercises. Most of the injuries reported are the lower back, cervical spine, shoulders and the rotator. However, the injuries could be prevented if the participants understand the teacher’s instructions. References Fishman, L. & Saltonstall, E. (2008). “Yoga in pain management.” In: Integrative pain medicine: The Science and Practice of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Pain Management. Audette JF, Bailey A, eds. 259-260. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. Kielhofner, G. (2006). Research in Occupational Therapy: Methods of Inquiry for Enhancing Practice. New York: FA Davis Corporation. Martin, B.et al. (2008). Deyo Expenditures and health status among adults with back and neck. problems. JAMA, 299(6), 656-664. Milczarek, M. (2009). Acupuncture and the Treatment of Low Back Pain: An Evidence Based Literature Review. Journal of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists, 1, 39-44. National Center for Health Statistics. (2006). Health, United States. Hyattsville, MD: Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans. Rooney, L. (2008). Acupuncture in the Treatment of Non-Specific Low Back Pain in an Adult Population: A Review of The Evidence. The Internet Journal of Advanced Nursing Practice, 9(2), 39-44.  Sherman, K. et al. (2005). Comparing yoga, exercise, and a self-care book for chronic low back pain. Ann Intern Med., 143(12), 849-856. Sherman, K. et al. (2011). A randomized trial comparing yoga, stretching, and a self-care book for chronic low back pain. Arch Intern Med., 171(22), 2019-2026. Tekur, P., & Singphow, C., et al. (2008). Effect of Short-Term Intensive Yoga Program on Pain, Functional Disability, and Spinal Flexibility in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Control Study. J. Altern. Complement Med., 14, 637-644. Williams, K. (2003). Therapeutic Application of Iyengar Yoga for Healing Chronic Low Back Pain. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 13, 55-67. Read More