Search
Related Links

 

 

Informative Articles

Deep Breathing for Meditation or Yoga
Deep breathing is a great way of promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Yoga, meditation, martial arts, and trained voice are some disciplines that recognize the importance and effectiveness of deep breathing. Use the following deep breathing...
Getting Slim and Trim with Yoga
Yoga’s power to create a state of mental and physical well being may also be put to good use for taking off excess weight. Yoga promotes a healthy and balanced life style and when combined with a calorie burning program may show exceptional...
Lower Your Blood Pressure by Practicing Yoga
If you didn't know by now, yoga asanas can help you in the treatment of high blood pressure, and help you lower blood pressure. Yoga asanas make stable your blood pressure, so lower blood pressure when it's abnormaly high. Asanas have...
Secrets of Teaching Yoga
What you are about to read applies to teaching, in general. In fact, we are all teachers, to some degree. You teach your friends, co-workers, strangers and family members on a daily basis. The example you set teaches someone in some way. Whether...
The Many Benefits Of Yoga
Many studies have been conducted to determine which areas will benefit from an extended practice of yoga. Yoga practitioners are most likely to see improvements in the areas of physiology, psychology, and biochemistry. Furthermore, practitioners...
 
YOGA AND ARTHRITIS: A REVIEW

Yoga is an ancient Indian science and way of life, which influences the functioning of the brain and the rest of the body. Several studies have shown that the practice of yoga has a definite role in the promotion of positive health, including mental health, characterized by improved cardio-respiratory efficiency, autonomic responses to stressors, sleep, muscular endurance, and `higher’ brain functions. With an increase in the incidence of stress-related ailments, related to the rapid pace of life today, yoga has been evaluated as a treatment for such disorders in several controlled trials. The disorders, which were most likely to respond to yoga, with reduced symptoms and need for medication, were bronchial asthma, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, anxiety neurosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

THE CONCEPT OF HEALTH
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the state of health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well being and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity. It is clear from this definition that health and ill-health are not two discrete entities as commonly understood but health should be conceived as a continuous function indicating the state of well being.
The ancient Indian science, Yoga, has its origin in the Sankhya philosophy of Indian culture, which is about 8000 years old (Nagarathna, 2001). Yoga includes a wide range of techniques (e.g., physical postures, regulated breathing, cleansing techniques, meditation, philosophical principles, and devotional sessions, surrendering to the Supreme). These techniques bring about a calm and balanced state of mind, and are expected to help the spiritual evolution of the individual. However, yoga has more pragmatic applications in medicine. In order to understand these, it is important to know the concepts of ‘health’ and ‘disease’ in Yoga texts.
According to yoga, man is in perfect health and homeostasis at his subtle levels of existence. All diseases are classified as (i) stress-related (adhija) and (ii) not stress related, e.g., injuries (anadhija) (Vasudeva, 1937). Yoga has been considered especially useful in the management of stress related disorders by getting mastery over the excessive speed of the mind. The technique to reducing the rate of flow of thoughts with deep internal awareness is yoga. This review will describe the therapeutic applications of yoga in the management of arthritis.
Physical activity is an essential part of the effective treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to treatment guidelines published by the American College of Rheumatology (Hochberg, 1995; Newsome, 2002). In persons with arthritis, exercise is safe and does not exacerbate pain or worsen disease (Ettinger,1997; Minor,1999; O'Grady,2000;Bearne,2002). In fact, exercise may play a key role in promoting joint health (Forrest,1994) , since those who do not exercise often suffer more joint discomfort than those who do (Nordemar,1981). However, regular physical activity is especially important for people with arthritis, who often have decreased muscle strength, physical energy, and endurance (Lyngberg,1988). The psychological benefits of exercise such as stress reduction, fewer depressive symptoms, improved coping and well-being and enhanced immune functioning (Taylor,1985;Scully,1998;Fox,1999 Paluska,2000) also contribute to greater overall health.
Scientific studies on yoga
Yoga has been used in the management of a wide range of diverse ailments. While there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence of the benefits of yoga, to date only a handful of scientific studies have been conducted on persons with OA and RA (though several more are currently underway). The study conducted in England demonstrated that hand grip strength significantly improved following yoga in rheumatoid arthritis patients (Haslock,1994). It was subsequently proven that yoga resulted in similar benefits in rheumatoid arthritis patients in an Indian population (Dash, 2001). Studies in osteoarthritis of the hands and carpal tunnel syndrome show greater improvement in pain during activity, tenderness and finger range of motion (Garfinkel, 1994).
These above studies have shown promising results with 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, and exercise enjoyment is an important predictor of adherence(Ryan,1997;Trost,2003).This is particularly important considering that, on average, 50% of sedentary individuals will drop out of exercise within 6 months (Dishman,1990).
In summary, yoga can be a meaningful and enjoyable alternative to traditional forms of exercise such as aerobics or aquatic exercise with important health benefits. Yoga can play an important role in reducing stress and frustration that results from pain and disability, and increasing positive feelings and


wellbeing. Drug treatments for OA and RA have improved markedly in the last few years. Despite this, arthritis cannot be cured, and even the best medications and medical care can only help a little. There is a great need for additional activities patients can do to reduce pain, disability, and take control of the overall impact arthritis may have on their lives. Thus, the evidence suggests that, when combined with a program of good medical care, yoga may provide important additional physical and psychological health benefits for arthritis patients.
Finally, it has to be emphasized that while yoga has important therapeutic benefits, the practice of yoga is very important in the promotion of positive health and human potential in body, mind, and spirit (Scott, 1999).
References:
1.Nagarathna R. Yoga in medicine. API Text book of medicine (6th ed), 2001.
2.Vasudeva Sharma PL. Laghu yoga vasistha (in Sanskriit); Nirnaya sagar prakashan, Bombay 1937,P 684.
3.Hochberg MC, Altman RD, Brandt KD, Clark BM, Dieppe PA, Griffin MR et al. Guidelines for the medical management of osteoarthritis. Part II. Osteoarthritis of the knee.American College of Rheumatology. Arthritis Rheum 1995; 38(11):1541-1546.
4.Newsome G. Guidelines for the management of rheumatoid arthritis: 2002 update. J Am Acad Nurse Pract 2002; 14(10):432-437.
5.Minor MA. Exercise in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 1999; 25(2):397-415, viii.
6.Bearne LM, Scott DL, Hurley MV. Exercise can reverse quadriceps sensorimotor dysfunction that is associated with rheumatoid arthritis without exacerbating disease activity. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2002; 41(2):157-166.
7.O'Grady M, Fletcher J, Ortiz S. Therapeutic and physical fitness exercise prescription for older adults with joint disease: an evidence-based approach. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2000; 26(3):617-646.
8.Ettinger WH, Jr., Burns R, Messier SP, Applegate W, Rejeski WJ, Morgan T et al. A randomized trial comparing aerobic exercise and resistance exercise with a health education program in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. The Fitness Arthritis and Seniors Trial (FAST). JAMA 1997; 277(1):25-31.
9.Forrest G, Rynes RI. Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis. Contemp Intern Med 1994; 6(11):23-28.
10.Nordemar R, Ekblom B. [Effects of long-term physical therapy in rheumatoid arthritis]. Lakartidningen 1981; 78(15):1561-1564.
11.Lyngberg K, Danneskiold-Samsoe B, Halskov O. The effect of physical training on patients with rheumatoid arthritis: changes in disease activity, muscle strength and aerobic capacity. A clinically controlled minimized cross-over study. Clin Exp Rheumatol 1988; 6(3):253-260.
12.Paluska SA, Schwenk TL. Physical activity and mental health: current concepts. Sports Med 2000; 29(3):167-180.
13.Fox KR. The influence of physical activity on mental well-being. Public Health Nutr 1999; 2(3A):411-418.
14.Scully D, Kremer J, Meade MM, Graham R, Dudgeon K. Physical exercise and psychological well being: a critical review. Br J Sports Med 1998; 32(2):111-120.
15.Taylor CB, Sallis JF, Needle R. The relation of physical activity and exercise to mental health. Public Health Rep 1985; 100(2):195-202.
16.Haslock I, Monro R, Nagarathna R, Nagendra HR, Raghuram NV. Measuring the effects of yoga in rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Rheumatol 1994; 33(8):787-788.
17.Dash M, Telles S. Improvement in hand grip strength in normal volunteers and rheumatoid arthritis patients following yoga training. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2001; 45(3):355-360.
18.Garfinkel MS, Schumacher HR, Jr., Husain A, Levy M, Reshetar RA. Evaluation of a yoga based regimen for treatment of osteoarthritis of the hands. J Rheumatol 1994; 21(12):2341-2343.
19.O’Connor D, Marshall S, & Massy-Westropp N. Non-surgical treatment (other than steroid injection) for carpel tunnel syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003; (1): CD003219.
20.Trost SG, Sallis JF, Pate RR, Freedson PS, Taylor WC, Dowda M. Evaluating a model of parental influence on youth physical activity. Am J Prev Med 2003; 25(4):277-282.
21.Ryan RM, Frederick CM, Lepes D, Rubio N, Sheldon KM. Intrinsic motivation and exercise adherence. International Journal of Sports Psychology 1997; 28(4):335-354.
22.Dishman R. Determinants of participation in physical activity. In: Bouchard C, Shepard R, Stephens T, Sutton J, McPherson B, editors. Exercise, Fitness, and Health. Champaign : Human Kinetics, 1990: 75-102.
23.Scott AH. Wellness works: community service health promotion groups led by occupational therapy students. Am J Occup Ther. 1999; 53(6): 566-74.

About the Author

I am a Doctor, doing my Ph.D.in Yoga. My topic of interest is to conduct Yoga Retreat, take class for Yoga Teacher and Medical professionals for in depth Research findings, and also Interest to conduct research in various field of yoga, both experimental and theoretical. I have been Traveling to all EUROPIAN countries.
My contact: yoga4all@india.com
My web page:
http://www.geocities.com/manojrieneke/Research.html

 

Yoga Journal : Home Page - The Voice of Yoga Online. The trusted ...
Reports developments in the world of yoga; provides step-by-step information on practices (poses, breathing, meditation); includes profiles of personalities ...
www.yogajournal.com
 
Yoga :: Yoga Books :: Yoga Videos :: Yoga Mats :: Yoga Clothing
Products for yoga, massage, homeopathic medicine, meditation and exercise. Site includes reference materials on several of these topics.
www.yoga.com
 
Yoga - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yoga (Devanagari: योग) is a family of ancient spiritual practices ... Outside India, Yoga has become primarily associated with the practice of asanas ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
Yoga Basics: online guide to the practice of yoga, pranayama ...
Introduction to Yoga history and practice (asanas and pranayama), downloadable music, teacher finder, products for sale.
www.yogabasics.com
 
Yoga Site -- source for yoga mats and props, yoga information ...
Yoga mats yoga props and everything else you need for yoga”>
www.yogasite.com
 
Yoga Postures
The chart below describes some of the fundamental yoga postures. The sequence can be performed in order. When you are familair with the psotures, ...
www.yogasite.com
 
Sivananda Yoga - Om Page
Official site of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers. Includes a worldwide directory of centers.
www.sivananda.org
 
Yoga Info, News, Shop, Travel & Community @ ABC-of-Yoga
Information and news resource featuring articles on various aspects of Yoga.
www.abc-of-yoga.com
 
Free Yoga DVD Video Information Yoga New Zealand
Offers information on the practice of yoga. Includes free yoga video downloads and uses flash animation to show yoga moves.
yoga.org.nz
 
Largest Yoga Directory to find a Yoga Classes :: Yoga Events ...
Largest Yoga Directory to Find Yoga Classes, Events, Yoga Retreats, and Yoga Products!
www.yogafinder.com
 
Yoga, Online Yoga, Animated Hatha Yoga Postures, Stress and Yoga ...
Free Online Yoga, Animated Yoga Postures, Stress Relief Exercise & Animated Breathing Techniques. Learn All Aspects Of Yoga Online With Our 75 Free ...
www.hathayogalesson.com
 
Santosha.com - Tools for Yoga, Meditation & Conscious Living
Though some parts are unfinished, the site includes much information on Yoga philosophy, and the practice and benefits of postures, meditation and ...
www.santosha.com
 
Yoga Postures Step-By-Step - Index to Poses
Yoga Postures Step-by-Step is a complete interactive guide to the practice and benefits of Yoga postures featuring animations, photographs, illustrations, ...
www.santosha.com
 
Eco Yoga Mats - Natural - PVC Free - Yoga Mats - shop online
A directory of Yoga classes and events in the United Kingdom.
www.yoga.co.uk
 
Yoga Home Page, yoga breathing, yoga postures, Pranayama ...
Information about yoga in an easy to understand format with recommendations for beginning practice.
www.holisticonline.com
 
YogaClass.com - YogaCentral
Online YOGA CLASS in RealAudio. DO YOGA HERE NOW FREE!
yogaclass.com
 
Yoga
A comprehensive introduction to yoga basics, including a glossary of yoga terms. Features an introduction to popular types of yoga and basic poses for ...
yoga.about.com
 
B K S Iyengar - Home
Yogacharya BKS Iyengar with his intellectual and spiritual practices has masterminded the techniques which can be used by all practitioners of yoga.
www.bksiyengar.com
 
Yoga
Are you looking for a workout program that's easy to learn, requires little or no equipment, and soothes your soul while toning your body?
www.kidshealth.org
 
BWY - The British Wheel of Yoga, Governing Body for Yoga in Britain
The British Wheel of Yoga is a registered charity and is the largest yoga ... BWY has launched its Yoga DVD 'A Spectrum of Yoga' with a complete yoga ...
www.bwy.org.uk
 
 

 
Content Menu
  • 10 tips for better sleep

  • 10 tips how to get in shape without sweating

  • 5 dating strategies for the single entrepreneur

  • 5 easy steps to help you lose weight

  • 9 fantastic formulas for a stress free holiday

  • a compelling look at pain relief

  • a look at arthritis pain relief

  • a rush home to rapture

  • balancing your work family and social life

  • basic yoga poses asanas

  • beating your neck back and shoulder pain

  • benefits of chair yoga part 1

  • benefits of chair yoga part 2

  • benefits of chair yoga part 3

  • benefits of chair yoga part 4

  • blast away your negative stress with yoga

  • break through your negative stress with yoga

  • can a yoga prop help prop up your practice

  • child yoga what is all the fun about

  • christian yoga

  • chronic pain relief an overview

  • concept of agni in ayurveda

  • confessions of a yoga teacher

  • daily rituals as a doorway to the higher

  • dealing with chronic pain conditions a simple guide

  • death aging rejuvenation part 4

  • deep breathing for meditation or yoga

  • deep breathing for yoga or meditation

  • depression mantra

  • discover how yoga will help you reach your goals part 1

  • discover how yoga will help you reach your goals part 2

  • discover yogas healing power

  • doing less in more time

  • do you have eczema or dermatitis

  • ease your way into yoga and meditation

  • eating disorders and the use of yoga in prevention and treatment

  • eat right for a healthy life

  • eight amazing benefits of teaching yoga

  • exercise why you should do it

  • finding peace a taste of mindfulness

  • free weights vs machines the battle

  • friday night fitness dates

  • getting an exciting life after a break up

  • getting slim and trim with yoga

  • getting strong for capoeira

  • get it done or 3 ways to advance your goal

  • get out those legos

  • going gaga over yoga

  • hatha yoga

  • healing heartburn holistically

  • health and anti aging

  • health try yoga for better health

  • heres what yoga can do for you

  • holiday health give get fit gifts

  • holistic health

  • hot hot hot bikram yoga

  • how to cure your incurable nasal allergy

  • how to find a gym and start exercising

  • how to find the right yoga teacher

  • how to find the right yoga teacher for you

  • how to loose weight using yoga

  • how to lose weight after pregnancy

  • how to manage self consciousness

  • how to reduce stress that causes hair loss and bad hair

  • how to stay balanced during stressful situations

  • how to use yoga dvds and videos to round out your practice

  • improve your holidays through yoga

  • index

  • internal yoga for sexual vitality

  • irritable bowel syndrome simple self help tips

  • isnt it time to try kundalini yoga

  • is your soul breathing

  • lower your blood pressure by practicing yoga

  • lower your risk of stress related disease while relaxing at home

  • low back pain ayurvedic management

  • making excuses

  • menopause and mood swings

  • moment of magic

  • movement that matters exercise with a greater purpose

  • muscle fitness can yoga make you stronger

  • my beginning yoga experience

  • natural health

  • natural prevention treatment for the flu what your doctor may not know

  • never too old

  • nine things you should know about yoga for children

  • objective of alcohol rehabilitation program

  • obstacles of yoga

  • overcoming obstacles in practicing yoga

  • paths of yoga i

  • paths of yoga ii

  • pilates a challenging and motivating exercise regimen

  • practice extreme self care

  • pranic therapy part i

  • pulling the roots of disease

  • quit smoking why people do bad things even when they know they shouldnt

  • realistic expectations for chair yoga students

  • remain active with rheumatoid arthritis yoga guide

  • rotator

  • savoring moments through mindful eating

  • secrets of teaching yoga

  • sedona vortex yoga

  • some simple tantric yoga exercises to improve health and sexual abilities

  • some yoga exercises to improve the general and sexual health

  • start your day on your terms

  • stay healthy and young

  • stop relationship stress and create your own health remedies

  • stressed out it might be your job

  • stress elimination

  • stress management

  • stress management for 2004 the rest of the story

  • stretching exercises yoga

  • stretching yoga

  • supplements the new magic pills

  • surf the wave of abundance

  • taking the leap

  • taking the sress out of vacations with yoga

  • ten powerful keys to healing yourself

  • the 5 words that are ruining your life

  • the baby boomer athlete

  • the benefits of yoga

  • the best benefits of yoga

  • the five points of yoga

  • the fundamentals of pilates

  • the good bad and ugly of yoga business

  • the healing powers of yoga

  • the history of yoga

  • the maharishi ayurveda approach to allergies with nancy lonsdorf m d

  • the maharishi ayurveda approach to weight loss with nancy lonsdorf m d

  • the many benefits of yoga

  • the many branches of yoga

  • the new age movement

  • the path of relationship

  • the right way to take vitamins and herbs

  • the shoemaker has no shoes

  • the spirit of change

  • the truth about vinyasa yoga

  • the writer as activist

  • tips for handling on the job setbacks

  • top 5 exercise plateau breakers

  • top most yoga system

  • to boost your brain move your body

  • to hell in a handbasket men who crash and burn

  • traffic sales and headachy emails

  • understanding the different types of yoga

  • understanding the yoga sutras

  • using yoga for weight loss

  • using yoga to manage add

  • vision as a metaphor

  • whats on your shift list

  • what does meditation music do to you

  • what is chair yoga

  • what is yoga

  • what kind of yoga and meditation leads to gaining enlightenment in this life

  • when self growth becomes self sabotage

  • when the going gets tough the tough keep going

  • which type of yoga is the right choice for you

  • why chair yoga

  • why exercise balls are the wonder exercise equipment

  • why has yoga become so popular

  • why not try bikram yoga

  • will yoga help you lose more weight

  • wireless meditation top five tips for wherever whenever mindfulness

  • yoga accessories getting what you really need

  • yoga and arthritis a review

  • yoga and meditation that leads to gaining enlightenment in this life

  • yoga as an aid to weight loss

  • yoga a beneficial exercising regimen

  • yoga beginner getting it right

  • yoga can help you to lose weight

  • yoga clothes for comfort functionality and lets not leave out fun

  • yoga for back pain relief

  • yoga for every body

  • yoga for relaxation

  • yoga for the beginner

  • yoga helps fight mid life bulge

  • yoga helps you lower blood pressure

  • yoga is a safe solution to weight control

  • yoga mats are they all created equal

  • yoga meditation for pain relief

  • yoga position what does each type do

  • yoga promotes a healtheir life

  • yoga therapy for eating disorders

  • yoga the solution for insomnia

  • yoke hatha yoga with the raw foods for superb health