Do side-effects/injuries from yoga practice result in discontinued use? Results of a national survey

CONTEXT: Yoga-related injuries are of increasing concern as the use of yoga continues to rise. AIMS: The aim of the following study is to examine whether a national sample of yoga practitioners would report discontinued use of yoga due to injury from the practice, assess what injuries resulted in discontinued use, determine what injuries were most common and identify injuries requiring medical attention. METHODS: Secondary data analysis of a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States (n = 23,393). RESULTS: Less than 1% of individuals who had ever practiced yoga (n = 2230) reported an injury from yoga that led to discontinued use. Of those reporting injury, less than one-third (n = 4) reported seeking medical attention. The most common side-effect was back pain. Approximately, half of those reporting back pain sought medical attention. CONCLUSIONS: Injury due to yoga is an infrequent barrier to continued practice and severe injury due to yoga is rare.