Yoga in Medicine: An Ancient Solution for Modern Illness
Yoga in Medicine: An Ancient Solution for Modern Illness
More than 2000 years old, yoga is just beginning to gain respect in conventional medicine and practice. It is being used in medicine, and is now receiving much attention as a 21st century ‘ancient solution’ for modern illness. The ancient lifestyle practice of yoga predates written history, and in many ways, as one the oldest forms of medicine – it is the last to be (re)discovered.
Using yoga for your patients and yourself can:
- Improve patient outcomes over standard therapeutic exercise (Ebnezer 2012)
- Increase patient satisfaction (Vadiraja et al 2009)
- Improve practitioner health and well-being (Hartfield et al 2011)
- Diminishing inflammation and managing stress (Yadav et al 2012)
However, using yoga in medicine necessitates a close look at the latest research in order to make it safe and effective. The fifteen precepts of the medical therapeutic yoga program and Professional Yoga Therapist certification offered through Medbridge Education and Professional Yoga Therapy Studies provides a systems approach biopsychosocial model for rehabilitation and wellness programming. The post-graduate certification covers lumbopelvic and scapulothoracic biomechanics, psychoneuroimmunology, neurovascular mechanics, neurophysiology, behavioral cardiology, and neuroendocrinology as part of its comprehensive yoga training program for medical professionals.
Sources
- Ebnezar J, Nagarathna R, Yogitha B, and Nagendra HR. Effects of an Integrated Approach of Hatha Yoga Therapy on Functional Disability, Pain, and Flexibility in Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint: A Randomized Controlled Study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. May 2012, 18(5): 463-472. doi:10.1089/acm.2010.0320.
- Yadav RK, Magan D, Mehta N, Sharma R, and Mahapatra SH. Efficacy of a Short-Term Yoga-Based Lifestyle Intervention in Reducing Stress and Inflammation: Preliminary Results. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. July 2012, 18(7): 662-667. doi:10.1089/acm.2011.0265.
- Hartfiel N, Havenhand J, Khalsa SB, Clarke G, Krayer A The effectiveness of yoga for the improvement of well-being and resilience to stress in the workplace Scand J Work Environ Health 2011;37(1):70-76
- Vadiraja HS, Raghavendra RM, Nagarathna R, Nagendra HR, Rekha M, Vanitha N, Gopinath KS, Srinath BS, Vishweshwara MS, Madhavi YS, Ajaikumar BS, Ramesh BS, Nalini R, Kumar V. Effects of a yoga program on cortisol rhythm and mood states in early breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy: a randomized controlled trial. Integr Cancer Ther. 2009 Mar;8(1):37-46. Epub 2009 Feb 3.
