Got lower back pain? Join the club. According to the National Institutes of Health, 80 percent of Americans will experience lower back pain at some point during their lives. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean that it’s something you have to live with. Your lower back is designed to stabilize and support your every movement. When it’s out of whack, not only does your back feel awful, but it mental health can be impacted, as well. The good news is that yoga for lower back pain can help you find some sweet, sweet relief.
What actually hurts when we have lower back pain?
Your lower back consists of the five lumbar vertebrae at the bottom of your spine (L1 to L5). The lumbar vertebrae are the largest when compared to the rest of your spine and help support your upper and lower body, allow you to twist and move your torso, and protect your spinal cord. There is also a complex network of ligaments, muscles, and tendons here to help everything move properly and stay in place.
The lumbar region handles high stress and heavy loads when you’re walking, running, lifting, carrying, or doing just about anything—which is why it’s no surprise that lower back pain is so common.