A yoga guru based in the US has said that using four basic moves in the practice can help ease severe back pain.

Kelly McGonigal, who teaches Yoga at Stanford University, told ABC News that there are "healthy" and "natural" ways of moving that can improve back health that people should adopt.

"You'll be less likely to aggravate a back injury through mindless movement in everyday life," she stated.

Ms McGonigal said the exercises would also help reduce stress, which is associated with back pain, as well as releasing feel-good chemicals in the body.

As an alternative to yoga, some may find that using ultrasound at home is the most effective way of easing back pain.

Back pain can affect active people of all ages, with young golf star Rory McIlroy having his back checked out when he returned home after struggling with pain during recent tournaments in the Middle East.