text: Don't overemphasize ab work. A common misconception about healing back pain is that the back is weak and that you just need to work the core more. Actually, when you only work the core muscles — as in a hundred crunches a day — you may just be shortening your front body to match the back one. This can further pull on the spine and cause more disc compression and too little (or too much) curvature.
  Note: Consult your doctor or physical therapist about yoga for back pain before starting, especially if you're experiencing severe back or leg pain now or during the practice, or if you have known disc problems, like hernias or degeneration.