The Physiotherapist’s Perspective: Clinical Benefits of Yoga in Rehabilitation and Pelvic Health

As a physiotherapist, I’ve always believed that movement is medicine. Yoga integrates

breath, posture, and mindfulness in a way that complements physiotherapy beautifully. Yoga

has increasingly become a valuable adjunct in physiotherapy practice, offering

evidence-based benefits across a range of musculoskeletal and pelvic health conditions. Its

integration into rehabilitation is supported by recent research and clinical guidelines,

highlighting its role in improving physical function, neuromuscular control, and psychological

well-being.

As a physiotherapist I teach yoga because it allows patients to reconnect with their bodies in

a safe, empowering way. It’s especially effective for those who feel disconnected due to

injury, trauma, or chronic conditions.

Clinical Rationale for Yoga in Physiotherapy

From a physiotherapy standpoint, yoga contributes to:

• Enhanced joint mobility and flexibility through low-impact, controlled movements

• Improved proprioception and balance, particularly in older adults

• Neuromuscular re-education via breath-synchronized movement

• Stress modulation, which can positively influence pain perception and recovery

• Pelvic floor awareness and coordination, essential in managing dysfunctions

Recent studies have demonstrated yoga’s effectiveness in improving outcomes for patients

with chronic pain, osteoarthritis, and pelvic floor disorders.

Applications in Common Physiotherapy Conditions

Chronic Low Back Pain

Yoga has shown moderate effectiveness in reducing pain and improving function in

individuals with persistent low back pain. Poses such as Cat-Cow, Sphinx, and Child’s Pose

promote spinal mobility and core engagement. A Cochrane review (2022) supports yoga as

a non-pharmacologic intervention for chronic low back pain.

Knee Osteoarthritis

Yoga offers low-impact strengthening and mobility for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Poses like Warrior II and Chair Pose activate key muscle groups to strengthen the lower

body and reduce joint pain/ symptoms. Liu et al. (2021) found that yoga significantly

improved pain and function in older adults with knee OA.

Fibromyalgia

Yoga’s emphasis on breath and mindfulness helps modulate central sensitisation and reduce fatigue.

Restorative sequences have been shown to improve sleep quality and reduce symptom burden.

EULAR guidelines (2017) recommend yoga as part of a multimodal approach to fibromyalgia management.

Pelvic Health and Yoga

Yoga can play a role in pelvic health physiotherapy, particularly in addressing stress

incontinence, pelvic pain, and hypertonicity. Breath-coordinated movement enhances pelvic

floor coordination, while specific poses promote relaxation and awareness.

Evidence-Based Insights

• A randomised controlled trial by Huang et al. (2021) demonstrated that yoga significantly

reduced stress incontinence episodes in women over 40.

• Sullivan et al. (2020) highlighted the neurophysiological mechanisms by which yoga

supports pelvic floor function, particularly in hypertonic presentations.

• Poses such as Supta Baddha Konasana, Malasana, and Child’s Pose are commonly used

to facilitate pelvic floor relaxation.

Yoga also supports autonomic regulation, which is essential for patients with vaginismus,

endometriosis, or trauma-related pelvic dysfunctions.

Incorporating yoga into physiotherapy practice is not merely a trend—it reflects a growing

recognition of the interconnectedness between physical function, mental well-being, and

long-term recovery. With mounting evidence supporting its role in managing musculoskeletal

conditions, chronic pain, and pelvic health dysfunctions, yoga offers physiotherapists a

versatile, patient-centred approach to care. When applied thoughtfully and backed by clinical

reasoning, it empowers individuals to move with greater awareness, restore confidence in

their bodies, and engage actively in their rehabilitation journey.

References

• Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. (2022). Yoga treatment for chronic

non-specific low back pain. [online] Available at: https://www.cochranelibrary.com

• EULAR. (2017). EULAR recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia. Annals of

the Rheumatic Diseases, 76(12), pp.1952–1959.

• Huang, A.J., Phillips, K., Schembri, M., et al. (2021). Effect of yoga on urinary incontinence

in women: A randomized controlled trial. Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery,

27(1), pp.45–51.

• Liu, H., Wang, X., Zhang, Y., et al. (2021). Effectiveness of yoga in the treatment of knee

osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic Research,

39(6), pp.1234–1242.

• Sullivan, M.B., Erb, M., Schmalzl, L., et al. (2020). Yoga therapy and pelvic floor

dysfunction: A neurophysiological perspective. International Urogynecology Journal, 31(5),

pp.1011–1018.