Introduction: Low back pain is defined as pain and discomfort, localized below the costal margin and above the inferior gluteal folds, with or without leg pain. Chronic pain is pain that has not stopped within the expected period of three months. Recently, yoga has gained a lot of interest in western scientific community as a technique for treating chronic conditions. Yoga can help reduce chronic low back pain, reduce disability and reduce depression and anxiety. Practicing yoga in patients with chronic low back pain can improve muscle capacity, joint mobility and balance. Purpose: The aim of this diploma thesis is to determine the effects of yoga on reducing chronic low back pain using literature review. Methods: A review of PubMed search results was performed. A descriptive method was used in the diploma work. The literature was searched in the PubMed database. The key words used were ''yoga'' AND ''low back pain''. We included researches that were published in the last five years. Results: We found seven randomised controlled trials. A review of randomized controlled studies has shown that we cannot claim that yoga certainly has an effect on reducing chronic lower back pain. Discussion and conclusion: We found that yoga is more effective in reducing chronic low back pain if subjects receive a leaflet on spine function and self-care, but it is not more effective than physiotherapy. Future research should determine a specific type of yoga and its components and compare their efficacy in reducing chronic low back pain. The duration of exercise and the amount of exercise should also be considered. Furthermore, a multidisciplinary approach in treating patient's condition should be explored, and a programme, designed to reduce chronic low back pain, could include yoga, physiotherapeutic techniques and patient education.
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