Yoga Can Help Ease The Pain And Discomfort Of Arthritis
For Americans young and old, arthritis can be a debilitating medical problem
. The condition, which hinders movement in the joints of the body and the connecting tissues of the muscles, can cause pain and stiffness in those who are afflicted. Those who suffer from arthritis can find their job performance, their ability to relax and their entire quality of life affected.
According to the Center for Disease Control, arthritis affects more than 46 million people in the United States and is present in all race and ethnic groups. The risk of arthritis increases as we get older and affects more women than men.
You probably know someone who has some form or stage of arthritis, or perhaps you suffer from it yourself. But there may be a way to help alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with the condition: yoga.
Although scientific research in the subject is limited, yoga has been found to provide both psychological and physical relief from arthritis. A report by the John Hopkins University Arthritis Center states that while research is minimal regarding yoga and its effect on rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the research that has been conducted is "promising" and shows "improvement in joint health, physical functioning and mental/emotional well being ...Perhaps most importantly, yoga has an important positive effect on quality of life. People with arthritis may also enjoy yoga more than traditional forms of exercise ." The John Hopkins Arthritis Center goes on to say more than 75 scientific studies have been published on the effects of yoga, with all of them showing that yoga is a "safe and effective" way to increase muscle strength and improve flexibility, two areas that that should be of great interest to anyone suffering from arthritis.
Regular physical activity, doctors agree, is an important part of the treatment of arthritis and may promote joint health. However, demanding exercise such as weight training and running, which put a great deal of stress on joints and muscles, may actually make the condition worse. By contract, an activity such as yoga, with its gentle movements designed to promote flexibility, may be the perfect solution for those who seek exercise that is not stressful but still beneficial to arthritis. Also, patients who participate in yoga often stick with this form of exercise longer than other forms, an important fact since studies show that 50 percent of sedentary people drop out of exercise sessions within six months.
Physiclans also point to the mental benefits of practicing yoga with regards to arthritis. Faced with a condition that can greatly decrease mobility and activity, people afflicted with arthritis, particularly younger people, can develop feelings of depression. For people suffering from depression associated with the condition, doctors say, yoga can help them mentally as well as physically.
Doctors report that yoga can give arthritis sufferers a mental clarity that can help them to develop positive energy and keep feelings of depression low. Yoga can also enhance the function of the immune system (helpful since some forms of arthritis affect immunity). Doctors conclude that yoga can have a positive affect on the quality of life for an arthritis sufferer.
Yoga instructors and doctors are quick to point out that arthritis sufferers should refrain from performing certain poses and moves. Arthritis sufferers should avoid backbends unless they involve a minimal amount of movement and keep their heads in line with their spinal column to avoid hyperextending their neck. Those who suffer from arthritis should also avoid hip-related moves such as hip openers or poses that require an extreme rotation of the hips. In short, doctors and yoga instructors recommend that if you are experiencing pain, stop. Those who suffer from arthritis should use restraint during their first yoga session and be aware of any pain or discomfort they may feel the next day; it's not uncommon to not feel pain until the day after a yoga session. If an arthritis patient feels no pain after their first yoga session, they may choose to slowly increase the depth and intensity of the movement.
If you suffer from arthritis, ask your doctor about how participating in yoga can help you alleviate the pain of arthritis.
Yoga Can Help Ease The Pain And Discomfort Of Arthritis
By: Linda Adams
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