Yoga can ease fibromyalgia, arthritis pain

A new study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, recommends regular, moderately intense exercise such as walking, strength training, and yoga to alleviate pain caused by fibromyalgia and arthritis. The study had 135 women exercising three times a week for four months, initially for 30 minutes and increasing to 60 minutes. Pain was reduced by 45 percent after 16 weeks. It can be hard for people living with pain to get motivated to exercise. Has anyone experienced this or had success teaching students with chronic pain?

 

http://blogs.yogajournal.com/yogabuzz/2008/05/yoga-can-ease-fibromyalgia-arthritis-pain.html

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Yoga for Arthritis

Yoga is an antidote to arthritis, write Loren Fishman, MD, and Ellen Saltonstall in this comprehensive guide to using yoga to treat this painful and often debilitating ailment.

By Carol Krucoff

 

Yoga for Arthritis, by Loren Fishman, MD, and Ellen Saltonstall. W.W. Norton; http://books.wwnorton.com/books/Yoga-for-Arthritis/

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Yoga is an antidote to arthritis, write Loren Fishman, MD, and Ellen Saltonstall in this comprehensive guide to using yoga to treat this painful and often debilitating ailment. Arthritis is caused by the inevitable pounding, grinding, and bumping that the body experiences, which add up to damaged cartilage between the joints. The result is joint pain and instability as well as reduced flexibility.

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The authors know their subject well.Fishman is a physician, a longtime student of B. K. S. Iyengar, and the president of Manhattan Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in New York. Saltonstall is a certified Anusara Yoga teacher, licensed massage therapist, and senior certified teacher of the Kinetic Awareness bodywork system. Intended for yoga practi-tioners, yoga teachers, and health care professionals, the book is a careful blend of yoga and science. The authors present a medical overview of arthritis and an introduction to yoga history, philosophy, and physiology. However, most of the book is devoted to descriptions and photographs of asana—such as variations on Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)—considered therapeutic for people with arthritis. One chapter presents a series of 20 all-star poses helpful for a number of joints; others focus on poses specific to certain joints or to conditions such as scoliosis and ankylosing spondylitis. Even though the postures described are inspired directly by both Iyengar and Anusara yoga, readers are encouraged to honor the "happy diversity of schools of yoga" to treat arthritis.

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Rheumatoid arthritis relief

A recent pilot study revealed that as little as 12 sessions of yoga significantly improved the conditions of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. A total of 47 patients were enrolled, of which 26 undertook yoga sessions, while 21 were on regular arthritis treatment. Some patients in the yoga group were able to decrease or discontinue RA medications. The study was funded by the Emirates Arthritis Foundation. Has anyone with rheumatoid arthritis practiced yoga with similar results?
 

Joint Support

Yoga can ease the pain and discomfort of osteoarthritis.

By Catherine Guthrie

http://blogs.yogajournal.com/yogabuzz/2008/09/rheumatoid-arthritis-relief.html
 

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