NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

6-23-2025

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation - Open Access

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Health

Department

Public Health

First Advisor

Adam Block

Second Advisor

Kenneth Knapp

Third Advisor

Chia-Ching Chen

Abstract

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between yoga practice and perceived health status, and to evaluate the benefits of yoga as a pain management strategy for low-income individuals.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted and analyzed using 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data. Logistic regression analyses examined whether the practice of yoga affected perceived health status, and whether low-income individuals were more likely to practice yoga for pain management.

Results: Analyses revealed that individuals who practiced yoga were 1.7 times more likely to report their health status positively than those who do not practice yoga. A higher prevalence of yoga practice for pain management was found among individuals at or below the poverty line than those with higher incomes, showing that a decrease in income was correlated with an increase in practicing yoga to manage pain symptoms

Conclusion: The findings showed that regular yoga practice was associated with improved perceived health status among individuals with chronic pain. Given the substantial burden of chronic pain in the US, yoga may be a beneficial adjunct to medical therapy that boosts physical and mental health, enhancing quality of life. It is especially beneficial for low-income populations as an affordable and accessible intervention that supports both physical and mental well-being.

Keywords

yoga, pain management, lower income, alternative therapies, pain relief, non-pharmacological interventions

Disciplines

Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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