Are you struggling with the painful effects of rheumatoid arthritis, research indicates that you may want to give yoga as try as a gentle form of exercise. It is very common for individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis to be unable to perform physical activity. However, studies have shown that yoga may be the answer many rheumatoid arthritis patients have been searching for. Those who practice yoga have considerably less pain from their arthritis and other chronic pain conditions (such as fibromyalgia). They also report a better quality of life. Let’s take a look at why yoga and rheumatoid arthritis in Kansas City, KS may go hand-in-hand.
Yoga and Rheumatoid Arthritis in Kansas City, KS– What You Need to Know:
Research has been conducted on the benefits of yoga participation for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. One study conducted in the United Arab Emirates involved 47 patients from a rheumatoid arthritis center. Twenty-six of these individuals were assigned to a group that was going to participate in yoga. The other 21 individuals were part of the control group. For participants in this study, yoga sessions lasted one hour and participants were also given yoga exercises to complete in their homes.
After 12 sessions, the yoga and control group were analyzed. The patients in the yoga group were found to have significant improvement in their symptoms — including a reduction in fatigue and a reduction in the amounts of pain medication they required on a daily basis.
Another study followed 30 rheumatoid arthritis patients as they took part in a modified yoga program. The participants were typically sedentary. Participants reported a significant reduction in joint pain and swelling. Researchers believe that part of this effect may be due to a reduction in inflammation, which is one of the major causes of pain in those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Another study followed 50 healthy women. This study showed that those who were experienced yoga practitioners had measurably less inflammation in response to stressful situations than those who were new to yoga.
Finally, a small study followed 16 women. These women reported improvements in balance and pain reduction as well as reduced depression after taking a yoga class three times per week for 10 weeks.
But I’m Not Flexible….
Many people have trouble completing the poses required during a yoga class. This includes those with rheumatoid arthritis and even those without any health problems. You do not have to be flexible to enjoy all the benefits that can occur as the result of yoga and rheumatoid arthritis in Kansas City, KS. Anything that keeps the range of motion in your joints going is enough to help keep your joints more flexible.
If you are considering the benefits of yoga and rheumatoid arthritis in Kansas City, KS and want to sign up for a class, there are beginner and modified yoga classes available. These programs are developed and take into account the possibility of reduced flexibility and other limitations that can occur as the result of rheumatoid arthritis or other chronic pain conditions.
Yoga and rheumatoid arthritis can be a great combination regardless of your fitness and flexibility levels. There are so many different types of yoga classes out there. Many classes are geared towards those with physical limitations.
As always, you should talk to your healthcare professional before starting a yoga class or any other form of physical activity. It is also a good idea to speak to your yoga instructor ahead of time so that they are aware of any physical limitations you may have.
While yoga is a gentle form of exercise, you still need to listen to your body. If you begin to feel any unusual amounts of pain and discount during any of the yoga poses you learn in class, stop immediately. Your instructor may be able to suggest a modified form of the pose that is effective, but much less painful for you.
Yoga and Rheumatoid Arthritis in Kansas City, KS: The Benefits
There are so many benefits when it comes to yoga. Those who are healthy, as well as those who suffer from a variety of medical conditions (especially pain conditions) can benefit from practicing yoga. Some of the benefits of yoga include:
- Enhanced balance
- Building strength
- Increased flexibility
- Increased range of motion
- A weight bearing exercise that can help to prevent osteoporosis
- Increases blood circulation throughout the body
- Can help to lower your risk of heart disease and depression because yoga is an aerobic exercise
- Can reduce high blood pressure
- Can reduce muscle fatigue and tension
- Better response to stressful situations
- A reduction in bad cholesterol levels
Regardless of your reasoning for giving yoga a try, those with rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from decreased joint pain as well as many other benefits to your overall health.
Yoga and Rheumatoid Arthritis in Kansas City, KS
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