Low back pain is an endemic disorder afflicting a large percentage of people. The etiological factors are mostly psychosomatic along with postural defects, occupational predisposition and sedentary life styles. Though several rehabilitative techniques are prescribed, no systematic analysis of these are available. This study evaluates several simple asanas on the basis of bio-mechanical principles. The study also selects a set of asana, which work on the back with increasing intensity. A series of tests were evolved to assess the physiological debility of a patient. These test results form the basis of selection of asana to be prescribed to the patient. A chart is finally provided to enable the therapist to increase the intensity of asana so that the muscles of the low back can be strengthened systematically and progressively. The results of clinical trials on 16 patients using this method of asana selection and rehabilitation indicate the usefulness of this method for the management of low back pain. Only regular practitioners of these exercises improve while indifferent or improper practice has been found to have no rehabilitative value.

Published - "Asana Based Exercises for the Management of Low Back Pain" - Ananathanarayanan
T V &T M Srinivasan, The Yoga Review, 1983;III(I):45-58; Reprinted in The Journal of International Association of Yoga Therapists, 1994; Vol.4, p. 6-15.