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Yoga and Fibromyalgia
Millions of Women are Affected with Fibromyalgia in the USA
Does Yoga Help Fibromyalgia and Back Pain?
With over 10 million women affected with Fibromyalgia in the prime
of their lives, many suffer and struggle from FMS for years before
being correctly diagnosed. This debilitating disease affects women
and men in an approximate ratio of 20:1, as is common knowledge that
most individuals who practice yoga in the USA are also women.
Fibromyalgia often begins in women between the ages of 20 – 30 years
and symptoms usually appear between 20 - 55 years of age. Because
there are no laboratory or x-ray examinations to physically prove
the presence of this disease many are convinced by their doctors
that it is “all in their heads” making the symptoms of this
condition even worse. However, today “fibromyalgia syndrome is now
recognized as one of many 'central' pain syndromes that are common
in the general population.” *1
*1 Therapy Insight: Fibromyalgia--Different
Type of Pain Needing A Different Type of Treatment. Posted
07/12/2006. Daniel J. Clauw, Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology.
1. Does Yoga Help Back Pain and Fibromyalgia?
2. What are the Origins of Yoga?
3. Yoga for Fibromyalgia Sufferers
1. Does Yoga Help Back Pain and Fibromyalgia?
Sufferers with the signs and symptoms of FMS hurt all over with
particular pain around the back at tender points, frequently feeling
extremely fatigued. Those individuals with FMS symptoms feel as if
their back muscles have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the
muscles twitch, and at other times they burn. Even after numerous
tests, the physician is frequently unable to make a specific
fibromyalgia diagnosis. When family or friends ask, “What are the
symptoms of FMS?”, have them think back to the last time they had a
bad flu. Every muscle in the body screamed out in pain, the body
felt depleted of energy, as though someone had unplugged the power
supply. The severity of fibromyalgia signs-symptoms fluctuate from
person to person, therefore the treatment protocol differs from
person to person, but for most sufferers, FMS often resembles a
post-viral state.
FMS patients who often suffer from back pain can be prescribed drugs
and other forms of therapy which sometimes are not enough, therefore
it is important for patients to take part in their own recovery and
try alternative therapies, breathing exercises, meditation, and self
care and exercise for fibromyalgia and back pain. A gentle and
restorative yoga practice can help FMS and back pain patients with
mental, physical and spiritual balance; energizing the body and
relaxing the mind. The key is to start very slowly practicing
postures which help stabilize the symptoms, increasingly mobilizing
the body.
2. What are the Origins of Yoga?
There is no set date when this great ancient art-science began, but
it goes back thousands of years. Stone carvings in the Indus Valley
depicting yoga postures date back over 5,000 years. Traditionally,
yoga was a spiritual practice, its goal being union with the
Absolute or Divine. The various exercises associated with
Hatha Yoga
were performed to prepare the body for long periods of meditation.
The word “yoga” means to join or unite together, and the practice
joins together the body, mind and spirit. The practice is often
associated with Hinduism, but pre-dates the religion. As have other
religions, Hinduism has incorporated elements of this art into its
practices.
Yoga is now practiced around the world. According to results of a
study sponsored by the Yoga Journal, released in June 2003, 15
million Americans, or over seven percent of US adults, practiced
some form of this exercise. There is a need to have yoga better
recognized by the health care community as a complement to
conventional medical care.
3. Yoga for Fibromyalgia Sufferers
The benefits of yoga for fibromyalgia are first physical then
psychological, and spiritual. “Over the last 10 years, a growing
number of research studies have shown that the practice of
Hatha
Yoga can improve strength and flexibility, and may help control such
physiological variables as blood pressure, respiration and heart
rate, and metabolic rate to improve overall exercise capacity. This
review presents a summary of medically substantiated information
about the health benefits of yoga for healthy people and for people
compromised by musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary disease.”*2
*2 James A. Raub, MS - The Journal of Alternative and Complementary
Medicine, Psychophysiologic Effects of Hatha Yoga on Musculoskeletal
and Cardiopulmonary Function, Dec. 2002, Vol .8.
Gentle yoga restorative postures can be taught by a yoga or
rehabilitation specialist. The beauty of this yoga exercise form is
that it is not necessary to do a full routine of postures and they
can be modified to the individuals needs. The fms sufferer can work
within their own limitations, and tailor the practice to their
specific needs to overcome their chronic pain syndrome. It is best
for the sufferer to take private yoga or group classes. There are
several books and videos on yoga, but sufferers should supplement
their practice with what is learned in a class. Yoga classes can
provide a better understanding of the practice, especially the use
of particular yoga postures beneficial for their particular
symptoms.
Gentle, mindful, and controlled movements can provide a non-impact
or low-impact exercise for sufferers in almost any physical
condition. Specific exercises, or yoga asanas, ease and stretch
tense muscles; improve flexibility; and enhance strength, balance,
and endurance.
Before the first group yoga class, the fibromyalgia patient may want
to observe a yoga session. Does the teacher and the pace of the
class feel right? There are many classes and teachers from which to
choose, it is important to find a teacher that feels right for you.
Make sure the instructor has had experience dealing with fms
patients.
A very effective and safe yoga posture for Fibromyalgia is the
COW-CAT Asana. The
Cow-Cat can be practiced relatively safely by individuals suffering
from Back Pain and Fibromyalgia.
Dr. Freedom, Yoga Master and Chiropractor in Costa Rica is a
contributing writer for Integrative Wellness Sound Body Yoga,
www.soundbodyYOGA.com and The Fibromyalgia Treatment Center,
www.back-fibromyalgia-pain.com.
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