AIBU to question the level of medical knowledge of Yoga Teachers?

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I don't do yoga, never have. However I have a very good friend who has a quite serious back problem and is under the care of a hospital. She goes to yoga and the yoga teacher says he has sorted out 'loads' of people with the same issue (disc).

I am sceptical as I don't know how much medical training a yoga teacher would have and I would worry about my friend doing further damage unwittingly by following advice from someone untrained in the area.

Or am i too sceptical?

Andro - there are zero requirements or qualifications needed to call yourself a yoga teacher. Whilst there are courses available, it is a completely unregulated industry.

They don't have any requirement for medical knowledge, as far as I know.

It's a form of exercise. Like aerobics, pump, spin, pilates, whatever. A good personal instructor/trainer in all of these areas will tell you to listen to your body. So does a good yoga teacher.

Even if the yoga teacher did have a smattering of medical knowledge picked up from somewhere or other, he won't have access to any of the diagnostic information specific to your friend's condition which will have been gathered by her doctors. So whatever "treatment" he is planning will be generic and not take into account your friend's individual circumstances.

Jellybelli, it's lovely that someone has such faith in the NHS that they believe they provide everything that works.

Clearly it doesn't, but it's nice that you think so.

As an example, massage has been proven to be beneficial for back pain, but the NHS does not provide it. They provide physiotherapy, which can provide a manual therapy element but more and more they provide stretches and exercises. Some of which are based on yoga stretches.

I didn't think anyone has said yoga is a panacea, but if someone says that yoga has helped people with bulging discs, I believe them. Basic anatomical knowledge would indicate that it could.

But it would need to be done in a very client-centric sensitive way, finding the stretches that reduce pain rather than exacerbate it. If I had the problem I would certainly consider yoga - but I would speak to my doctor or consultant first to get their feedback as they have a greater understanding of where the bulge is and might suggest what type of stretches to avoid or even recommend no yoga at all.

Thankfully many medics within the NHS are recognising that they don't provide all the solutions and are advising people to go to private therapists - massage, chiropractic, pilates classes etc in order to find solutions to their pain.

I was very into yoga a few years ago and looked into starting training to be a teacher. The wheel if yoga training is very in depth and does include anatomy. However, I think over the last few years the boundaries have blurred a bit and more people are teaching yoga along with other fitness classes without this level of qualification.

Wheel of yoga. There are also other training bodies for yoga.

I've got back problems and my (NHS) physio was delighted that I do yoga (and Pilates). She said she wished all her patients did.

None of the yoga teachers I've encountered have ever said 'push through the pain' or that everyone must do the exercise. Quite the opposite actually. They're always offering modifications for people and being clear that you shouldn't be in pain when doing it.

I see lots of people with back problems in my clinic and frequently advise them to do yoga or Pilates with a decent instructor. Improving posture and strengthening back muscles is good for back pain.

iPost, I have never heard of the Dunning–Kruger effect but read your link and it has opened me eyes. I know quite a few people like this.

Depends on the yoga instructor, best bet is to get a recommendation through a physio.

I am currently doing yoga... I have a masters in exercise physiology/health... and a large handful of certificates for varied exercise formats, I have to stop myself speaking out or, more often, giggling wildly, at some of the things the lovely lady taking the class says!

She is usually 'close but no cigar' but, as her meaning is usually very clear and she does draw very odd but apt analogies, I doubt anyone in her class would injure themselves.

As yoga is all about strengthening and aligning, basically postural therapy with a load of spiritual fluff added, so anyone with a bad back, and GP advice, would benefit from it.

Even someone like me, mobile SI joint, back, knee, ankle instability and hyperlordosis that makes wearing skirts impossible, can safely do it!

I hurt myself pretty badly doing yoga but that was in the hot room. I think the hot room is dangerous for some people because you don't feel pain properly and push yourself past your natural point of flexibility.
However i think normal regular room temperature yoga is pretty safe because you can feel when you need to stop! I did normal yoga for years with no problems and it has so many benefits.
Just stay out the hot room!

I've never tried the hot room... just the thought of it screams all sorts of "no"s to me!

I hope you're OK now!

Many yoga teachers also have more advanced medical or at least anatomical training, but no, I wouldn't believe an average yoga teacher who said they could 'sort out' any medical issue.

Training is not always nearly as thorough as Andro describes above and he/she is right: it is not regulated at all from a medical point of view.

I think a sensible teacher would say that a person in this situation must always defer to their doctors, and also make clear that it is the person's responsibility to tell their yoga teacher if any posture hurts or 'feels wrong', and to stop or limit coming to classes if they have any doubts.

Yeh I'm good now thanks ourblanche needed lots of painkillers and physio though.
Funnily enough it screams all sorts of nos to me now too!

Questioning their medical knowledge makes it sound like you think they have some.

Yes, exactly.

Now, if this yoga teacher is also a qualified medic, fine, trust them - but on the basis of them being a qualified medic.

Frankly, I'd judge someone who naively went along with what was said - it's not scepticism to question, it's absolute basic common sense.

I've never met any yoga teacher with "advanced medical training"!

I've met a few who have paid a fortune for a 'yoga brand' of training, some of which promise all sorts of expertise. But none are actually medically trained. I've met more who did 2 weeks training and were let loose! They are usually easily recognisable when you join a class, a bit like an Younique or Forever Living Yoga class

Blanche, if you're referring to my post, I said 'more advanced' as in, more advanced than the very basic anatomy and physiology yoga teacher training generally offers.

I was also thinking of some specific teachers I know or know of. One, for example, is a yoga teacher and also a GP.

??? I see what you mean... missing that word did change what you posted. Sorry Sapphire that wasn't my intention. I did just mean that I know no yoga instructors with any medical training at all - though they may have and advanced 1st Aid certificate

I know all certificated yoga instructors will have had some physiology instructions and I know some certification routes offer more... but non at any sort of 'medical' level, other than "manipulation X is known to be detrimental / beneficial to condition Y"

Thinking about it I know no GPs who teach exercise classes. I used to run classes for a group of GPs, none of whom wanted to take exercise classes as they would be held to a far higher duty of care.

Context is all but no worries, Blanche; I just wanted to be clear.

No yoga teacher should be giving medical advice. If you meet one who does, I would suggest they aren't doing their job properly.

British Wheel of Yoga is one of the top training organisations. Completing their course can take up to 3yrs.