Pain Of Arthritis Can Often Be Eased By Yoga
For Americans young and old, arthritis can be a debilitating medical problem. The debilitating condition, which affects the joints and connective tissue, can result in pain and stiffness that can greatly impact the mobility of those afflicted. Arthritis can affect job performance, relaxation and the overall quality of life.
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 chance of contracting arthritis is greater as we age and is found in more women than in men.
You probably know someone who has some form or stage of arthritis, or perhaps you suffer from it yourself. But according to research, there may be an easy way to ease the discomfort and pain connected with arthritis: yoga.
Although scientific research in the subject is limited, yoga has been found to provide both psychological and physical relief from arthritis. The Arthritis Center of Johns Hopkins University reports that while there have only been a few scientific studies done on the effect of yoga on rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the ones that have been done are promising, with results that show some 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 Johns Hopkins research adds that more than 75 studies from various science institutions have been published regarding yoga and its effect on arthritis and all of them show that the practice is a "safe and effective" method of increasing muscle strength and flexibility, the two areas that may affect the sufferers of arthritis the most.
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. Which makes an activity such as yoga the perfect solution to the quest for a physical exercise that is beneficial but not stressful to the body. Reports also state that arthritis patients who take up yoga quite often keep practicing it far longer than other forms of exercise, which is important to note when you consider studies that show approximately 50 percent of people who begin an exercise program drop out within the first six months.
Physicians also point to the mental benefits of practicing yoga with regards to arthritis. Feelings of depression are common with people afflicted with arthritis (particularly young people) who are coping with decreased mobility. For them, doctors say, yoga not only aids them physically, but mentally as well.
Yoga, physicians report, can increase mental energy and help a patient develop positive feelings and help keep negative feelings in check. Yoga has also been proven to aid the immune system as well, which is a great benefit since some types of arthritis can affect the immune as well. 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. Arthritis sufferers should use caution when performing hip-related poses (hip openers), including those poses that call for extreme external rotation of the hips. In short, doctors and yoga instructors recommend that if you are experiencing pain, stop. Arthritis sufferers should go slow on their first yoga session and make a note of any discomfort they feel the next day; sometimes, the pain is not felt until the next day or so. 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.
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 chance of contracting arthritis is greater as we age and is found in more women than in men.
You probably know someone who has some form or stage of arthritis, or perhaps you suffer from it yourself. But according to research, there may be an easy way to ease the discomfort and pain connected with arthritis: yoga.
Although scientific research in the subject is limited, yoga has been found to provide both psychological and physical relief from arthritis. The Arthritis Center of Johns Hopkins University reports that while there have only been a few scientific studies done on the effect of yoga on rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the ones that have been done are promising, with results that show some 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 Johns Hopkins research adds that more than 75 studies from various science institutions have been published regarding yoga and its effect on arthritis and all of them show that the practice is a "safe and effective" method of increasing muscle strength and flexibility, the two areas that may affect the sufferers of arthritis the most.
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. Which makes an activity such as yoga the perfect solution to the quest for a physical exercise that is beneficial but not stressful to the body. Reports also state that arthritis patients who take up yoga quite often keep practicing it far longer than other forms of exercise, which is important to note when you consider studies that show approximately 50 percent of people who begin an exercise program drop out within the first six months.
Physicians also point to the mental benefits of practicing yoga with regards to arthritis. Feelings of depression are common with people afflicted with arthritis (particularly young people) who are coping with decreased mobility. For them, doctors say, yoga not only aids them physically, but mentally as well.
Yoga, physicians report, can increase mental energy and help a patient develop positive feelings and help keep negative feelings in check. Yoga has also been proven to aid the immune system as well, which is a great benefit since some types of arthritis can affect the immune as well. 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. Arthritis sufferers should use caution when performing hip-related poses (hip openers), including those poses that call for extreme external rotation of the hips. In short, doctors and yoga instructors recommend that if you are experiencing pain, stop. Arthritis sufferers should go slow on their first yoga session and make a note of any discomfort they feel the next day; sometimes, the pain is not felt until the next day or so. 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.
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