Yoga has been recommended for veterans as a first line of treatment for acute and chronic low back pain in the clinical practice guidelines developed by the American College of Physicians.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has successfully used yoga to help treat opioid addiction and post-traumatic stress. Many veterans have become excellent yoga teachers both to other veterans and active duty military members.
Veterans who practice yoga see positive improvement with flexibility, strength, and balance. By focusing on the body's position and breathing, it increases self-awareness. Research shows that yoga can help lower back pain.
Yoga has been shown to reduce physiological arousal in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) patients and is believed to affect the pathology of PTSD by improving somatic regulation and body awareness, which are imperative to emotion regulation.
Yin Yoga and Hatha Yoga are particularly suitable for trauma survivors, thanks in part to the breath work and compassionate observation of the internal and physical experience.