Yoga and physical therapy (PT) are effective approaches to treating co-occurring sleep disturbance and back pain while reducing the need for medication, according to a new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
The research showed significant improvements in sleep quality lasting 52 weeks after 12 weeks of yoga classes or 1-on-1 PT, which suggests a long-term benefit of these non- pharmacologic approaches.
Another non-pharmacologic approach to low back pain that research has shown provides excellent results is hands-on chiropractic care by medical professionals with specialized training in treating low back pain.
Sleep disturbance and insomnia are common among people with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Medication for both sleep and back pain can have serious side effects, and risk of opioid-related overdose and death increases with use of sleep medications.
The high prevalence of sleep problems in adults with chronic low back pain can have detrimental effects on a person’s overall health and well-being. This really emphasizes the need for providers to ask patients with chronic low back pain about the quality of their sleep. Given the serious risks of combining pain and sleep medications, nonpharmacologic approaches should be considered for these patients.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com.