An Anatomical Illustrated Analysis of Yoga Postures Targeting the Back and Spine through Cadaveric Study of Back Musculature

Abstract

Back pain is a debilitating lifestyle disease that affects a large proportion of the world’s population at some point in their life. Absences from work due to this have a huge economical impact on the patient, their employer and the healthcare providers who seek to support their recovery. Unfortunately, back pain is often resistant to treatment and intervention, therefore alternative therapies such as Yoga are being explored. Within the literature, five Yoga postures were identified to be associated with reduced back pain in patients suffering from Chronic Lower Back Pain (CLBP). To aid anatomical analysis of these Yoga postures, a detailed cadaveric dissection of the back was performed to understand the action and activity of the musculature in these postures. In order to cohesively present the findings, unique hand-drawn illustrations were used to depict the musculature found to be highly active with each Yoga posture, with the erector spinae muscles appearing prominent throughout. The combined approach of using hand-drawn illustrations with cadaveric dissection to present the anatomical analysis has allowed a seamless understanding of complex anatomical concepts alongside the nuances of intricate gross anatomy. This study highlights the importance of the inclusion of cadaveric dissection as a pedagogical tool in medical curriculm through exploring the anatomical basis of Yoga, also allowing the possibility of using the workings of Yoga to aid anatomical teaching. A greater understanding of this may help guide personalised Yoga regimes, which may allow alternative therapies to become integrated into the primary care setting.  

Keywords: Cadaveric dissection, Anatomical illustrations, Back musculature, Yoga postures, Chronic Lower Back Pain