Pain Management


3
Aug 11

Yoga is one of the better pain management techniques, enthusiasts say

Performing breathing exercises for anxiety can be a great way to relieve stress, particularly if one is feeling tense and pressured from a busy schedule. This may be one of the reasons why the Eastern art of yoga is so popular among Westerners. The holistic mind-body regimen promotes the flow of the vital life force Ki throughout the body's meridian channels, which can lead to better physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Because so many people juggle personal and professional responsibilities today, having an outlet like yoga can help them maintain high energy, stay calm and better manage their duties.

The gentle program – which promotes deep breathing, posing, stretching and meditating – is also one of the best pain management techniques, according to enthusiasts.

Recently, Health Jockey reported that women who struggle with fibromyalgia may benefit from engaging in yoga on a regular basis. These patients often experience symptoms such as chronic discomfort, fatigue, muscle rigidity, sleeplessness, gastrointestinal disorders and depression.

Fortunately, yoga may decrease both the physical and psychological costs of the disease, thereby improving the quality of life for these individuals.

Lead author Kathryn Curtis explained that yoga relaxes the body by reducing the activity of the nervous system, lowering heart rate and raising breath volumes. She said that these qualities tend to have a positive impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which serves as a major part of the neuroendocrine system that is involved in stress response.

Calming oneself through yoga can also enhance digestion, immunity, mood and emotions, sexuality and energy storage, the scientists added. 


27
Jul 11

For breast cancer survivors, researchers compare yoga to other pain management techniques without medication

Women who have breast cancer know full well that the condition creates significant obstacles to enjoying life. Although drugs and therapies exist to help combat the disease, such treatments often come with severe side effects. Luckily, patients who are seeking natural pain management techniques without medication may find an effective one in the holistic mind-body regimen known as yoga.

The Eastern art, which originated centuries ago, encourages enthusiasts to perform breathing exercises for anxiety and stress relief. Focusing on one's inhalation and exhalation while stretching, posing and looking within has helped countless individuals achieve better health.

Recently, a study funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure was launched to compare different types of exercise on factors such as fitness, quality of life and future risk of recurrence for breast cancer survivors.

Principal investigator Daniel Hughes, a professor at the Institute for Health Promotion Research, and his colleagues will be conducting the study over a period of one year. During this time, a total of 90 patients will be randomly assigned to one of three activities – a comprehensive program that includes aerobics and strength training, a yoga exercise regimen or general exercise performed at will.

"We expect comprehensive and yoga-focused participants to have better fitness outcomes, less stress and improved biological indicators of future risk of secondary cancers," Hughes said.

His colleague, Amelie G. Ramirez, added that regular exercise promotes health by decreasing the risk of breast cancer recurrence, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and type 2 diabetes. She explained that such a study may reveal new strategies that incorporate natural remedies to help improve the quality of life for women who have survived breast cancer. 


27
Jul 11

Wounded soldiers turn to yoga and its breathing exercises for anxiety

Although the world is a beautiful place, it is often filled with strife, tension and anger. It may be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a busy, stress-filled life, in which one juggles multiple responsibilities. Busy moms, overworked employees and seniors worrying about financial stability are prime examples of individuals who experience significant anxiety on a regular basis.

War veterans may also be added to the list, since many men and women who served in the armed forces return home with post-traumatic stress disorder. In this way, yoga – which is among the more effective pain management techniques, according to enthusiasts worldwide – can help them relax, look within and perform breathing exercises for anxiety.

News Channel 5 reports that wounded soldiers returning to Fort Campbell in Kentucky often have trouble running, lifting weights and doing push-ups. Sustaining injuries can substantially decrease their quality of life and limit the types of activities they can perform.

"It seems like a lot of the warriors that come in have the mentality of feeling broken, like they are not a soldier anymore, that they will not be able to do it again," physical therapist Brooke Neeley told the news source.

She encouraged the soldiers to engage in the gentle holistic regimen of yoga, which employs soothing stretches and poses in order to enhance multiple aspects of an individual's health. The Eastern art, which is centuries old, has helped improve the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of countless individuals around the world.

Engaging in these tranquil exercises can help veterans recover from their war experiences. 


27
Jul 11

Individuals seeking pain management options need look no further than yoga

Living with a debilitating condition can lead to many obstacles on the path to fulfillment as an individual. However, performing yoga can help relieve the stress and anxiety that comes with dealing with such chronic ailments. Many people say that the holistic Eastern art is one of the more effective pain management options, as its powerful combination of breathing exercises for stress and flexibility-enhancing stretches are meant to simultaneously improve multiple aspects of one's well-being.

Yoga enthusiast Harmony Kopelov recently decided to open her own studio to spread the word about the positive effects of the mind-body regimen, according to the Record Delta. Her facility is meant to cater to anyone who is interested in the program, whether they are experienced with it or not.

"I feel like there is a type of yoga for everyone," she told the news source. "Yoga, for some people, can just be learning different breathing techniques. I think a lot of people practice yoga without even realizing it. It's an expanded awareness. It's a conscious awareness of being able to focus the mind."

Kopelov added that many individuals relax and focus on their breathing when they engage in everyday activities such as gardening, playing sports, taking a walk or knitting. She explained that a calm, tranquil environment is ideal in the enhancement of one's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, which is one of the main goals of engaging in yoga.

"The purpose in a yoga practice is achieving a union between the body and the mind. There is a lot of wisdom that the body would like to reveal to us," she added.


12
May 11

Yoga helps tone the body without straining the muscles

Rigorous workouts that include running, cycling or swimming can take a serious toll on your bones and muscles. Luckily, the holistic mind-body system of yoga – which is known for its significant benefits on pain and stress management – can help tone and enhance without putting too much additional strain on an already overworked body.

Recently, Women Citizen – a health and fitness resource – reported that engaging in yoga can be a great way for individuals to sculpt their thighs. Legs are often a problematic area that many people would like to improve. Rather than performing vigorous physical activity that can do more damage than good, choosing a tranquil yet effective regimen like yoga can be a good way to achieve a better body.

In addition to gentle breathing techniques and rejuvenating stretches, yoga promotes soothing poses that help practitioners improve their strength and flexibility. One such pose, which is meant to tone the thighs, involves standing up straight with the legs about shoulder-width apart. From this position, one can bend the torso and touch the floor, stretching the quadricep muscles.

To achieve further toning, standing up on one leg while bending the other – keeping the knee parallel to the toe – can be a great way to strengthen the thighs.