How yoga can alleviate arthritis.

Is joint pain affecting your quality of life? Well, you are not alone. According to the CDC, over 50 million Americans have arthritis. Living with the condition is never easy: From Swollen joints to chronic pain, it can easily change the simplest activities into a harrowing experience. Now, what if there was a way you could counter the pain and get back the free and exciting life you once lived?

Yoga may be heaven-sent just for you! For years, Yoga for arthritis has proven to be very effective if done properly.

The definition of arthritis?

Arthritis is a term mainly used to describe inflammation of joints, which can cause swelling, stiffness, and pain. There are several types of the condition, but most prevalent ones are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis usually affects the joints and is caused by deterioration from use over a long period. It’s most common in those who perform repetitive jobs and the elderly.

Rheumatoid, conversely, is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks membrane joints. It affects people of all ages. Now, though the severity and causes vary considerably, the two are chronic. As such, patients must find ways of not only living with the symptoms but also countering them.

Yoga for Joint Pain

As mentioned earlier, arthritis generates stiffness, pain, and swelling in joints. This minimizes the range of motion considerably and limits your daily tasks. This is where yoga comes in handy; it can help with arthritis relief by enhancing joint mobility, minimizing pain as well as managing anxiety and stress. Yoga for arthritis classes will also allow you to improve flexibility, relax, strengthen muscles, and know more about your body posture.

All these benefits will go a long way in helping you counter pain, increase joint range motion, and improve joint function. Be as it may, as with any condition, it is crucial to consult your physician before starting any yoga for arthritis classes.

So what kind of yoga works?

The type of yoga poses you perform if you have arthritis are utterly different from those performed by other people. The poses should consider any joint problems that you have. The main objective is to work on the affected regions painlessly and gently effectively. Most yoga qualified yoga teachers will be able to guide you on mild and simple poses to help you support the affected joint while reducing effort with the help of accessories. Besides, relaxing your muscles will make the poses easier and comfortable. Here are some poses you can try:

• Chair yoga; works as integrative medicine and is ideal for patients who cannot stand or kneel for a long time.
• Viniyoy: is designed to be adaptive to each person’s physical condition, even in group settings like a yoga studio
• Iyengar yoga. This pose uses props to support your body and helps you find comfort in proper alignment.
• Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana): Strengthens shoulders and knees.
• Bow Pose (Dhanurasana): Opens the back and shoulders while improving flexibility. It also helps minimize fatigue and stress.
• Bridge pose: Strengthens muscles and lessens stress and anxiety.
• Triangle Pose (Trikonasana): Supports knees, ankles, and back. It also opens hips, arm strings, and groin.
• Child’s Pose: Ideal for alleviating back pain and calming your mind.
• Cow Face Pose: Good for stretching shoulders, hip joints, and the spine. This helps lubricate joints, minimize swellings and pain.

Additional Tips

Trying yoga for arthritis these poses will not only help you with arthritis relief but also mentally. They will help you deal with pain and show you a new way of maintaining calmness. That said, it is highly recommended that you avoid exercising or stretching if your joints are excruciating.

Contact East West Healing Solutions for More Information about Yoga for Arthritis

If you’re interested in trying yoga for arthritis, contact East West Healing Solutions today to schedule an appointment at our yoga studios in Palm Harbor.