Pain Of Arthritis Can Often Be Eased By Yoga

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 chance of contracting arthritis is greater as we age and is found in more women than in men.

All of us probably know someone who suffers from a form of arthritis, or you may 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. 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 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.

Doctors agree that regular physical activity is key to treating arthritis and promoting healthy joints. But demanding exercise routines, such as weight training and running, can put a great amount of stress on the muscles and joints and may even 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. 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.

Doctors also tout the mental benefits of yoga in the treatment of 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.

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. Yoga, the doctors conclude, has a positive effect on the overall quality of a patient’s life.

Doctors and yoga instructors point out that there are certain poses and movements that arthritis sufferers should avoid. Arthritis patients should restrict back-bends to small movements and be mindful not to hyperextend their neck by keeping their head in line with their spinal column. 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.

By: Linda Adams

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Linda Adams enjoys all things health related. One of the most excellent yoga websites Linda has found is Kamloops Yoga Teachers, which is a exceptional mix of yoga and exercise. For more information, have a look at Yoga an often Over-looked Tool in Weight Loss Fight one of the finest Yoga blogs.