Physical therapists often set out to achieve goals of increasing strength, flexibility, coordination, motor control, posture, and alignment of multiple body parts. This is done in order to correct poor body mechanics, as an injury prevention measure, or to facilitate the healing process so that people can return to their favorite activities. For many people, this activity is yoga. Yoga practice shares some of the same principles as physical therapy.  Yoga can be used to increase awareness of body position, and even improves balance and postural alignment. It also utilizes a “holding” phase which can build isometric muscle power, which comes from sustained muscle contraction. Due to these overlapping concepts, many physical therapists are including yoga inspired exercises into rehabilitation as a means to improve strength, or even decrease spinal pain.  For instance, positions and techniques incorporating positions similar to the yoga pose commonly known as the “cobra”, are used in certain McKenzie spinal exercises to reduce and even in some cases, get rid of back pain! Our office has the unique honor of having one therapist McKenzie certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment, and a second in the process of completing the certification. So, if you or someone you know suffers from back pain, stop in to Hands On Physical Therapy.