Serving & Ex-Military Personnel

This page links to a short, anonymous survey exploring experiences of chronic back pain and attitudes toward movement-based approaches, including yoga, among serving and ex-military personnel.

The purpose of the survey is not to promote yoga, but to better understand:

• how common long-term back pain is

• what approaches people have already tried

• whether yoga is something people would consider, and why or why not

Honest views are encouraged — including sceptical, neutral, or negative perspectives.

👉 [ Take the survey ]

(opens Google Form)

Why this survey is being run

Long-term back pain is common among serving and ex-military personnel, often linked to the physical demands of service. While many treatment and management options exist, experiences vary widely, and no single approach works for everyone.

Yoga is sometimes suggested as an option for back pain, but attitudes toward it — particularly within military communities — are mixed. This independent exploratory project aims to better understand those attitudes before developing or offering any future programmes.

This survey is intended to inform understanding and decision-making, not to provide medical advice or treatment.

The project is led by a qualified yoga teacher and movement coach with professional and personal experience of long-term back pain.

What taking part involves

• Completing a short online survey

• Takes approximately 5–7 minutes

• Can be completed anonymously

• Participation is entirely voluntary

• You may stop at any time

At the end of the survey, there is an optional opportunity to leave contact details if you would like to hear about a future, no-obligation pilot programme. Providing contact details is not required to complete the survey.

Who the survey is for

• Serving personnel

• Ex-military personnel

• Anyone with experience of long-term or recurrent back pain

• Those with positive, neutral, or sceptical views about yoga

No previous experience of yoga is required.

👉 [ Take the survey ]

(opens Google Form)

Additional information

This survey forms part of an independent exploratory project.

It is not medical research and does not provide medical diagnosis or treatment.