Yoga for Arthritis - How Can Yoga Help You Deal with Arthritis

Written by: marlonborreo

Feeling stiff on your back? Having pain in your knees and wrists perhaps? You are then most likely suffering from arthritis, a disease which causes inflammation or swelling of the joints. Arthritis is among the more common diseases in the world. It affects 40% of Americans aged 45 to 64 and 60% of those aged 65 and older.

Popular belief holds that arthritis is a sickness of the aged. But while age does increase the risk and vulnerability of people to arthritis, even children, teenagers, and young adults can have it. Cases of arthritis among children are generally termed as Juvenile Arthritis.

Arthritis is actually a term used to refer to a group of more than 100 diseases with a common factor: inflammation of the joints. The common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis (which is the most common), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, and Fibromyalgia.

Arthritis results from the deterioration of soft tissues that cover and protect the joints. When this happens, the bones rub against each other, which is painful. While doctors are still on the process of determining what exactly causes arthritis, many believe that the deterioration may be caused by the pressure of gravity on the joints - the wear and tear of life, so to speak. Also, obesity and heredity contribute to deterioration.

Apparently, gender may be a factor. Composing 80% of osteoarthritis cases in the US, women are much more prone to osteoarthritis. For gout, however, nearly all those suffering from it are men (90%).

There may be a lifestyle factor that may explain why it is mostly men who contract gout. This is caused by excess uric acid that gets deposited in the joints. Interestingly, uric acid levels are higher for people who drink too much alcohol, as it interferes with the process of getting rid of excess uric acid.

Whatever the case may be, arthritis appears to be correlated with poor bone and muscle health, disproportionate body weight, and unhealthy lifestyle.

With Yoga, these aspects of a person's physique and life can be greatly enhanced. Yoga Poses can help strengthen your joints which is crucial in preventing and dealing with arthritis. It makes your joints function normally, thus reducing the risk of stiffness. With its virtue of balance, Yoga practice helps regulate the levels of uric acid in the body. Obesity may also be avoided through the practice. More importantly, Yoga can lead to an overall healthier lifestyle that can enhance your resistance not only from arthritis but to other sicknesses as well.

Here are the basic Asanas which can help you in dealing with Arthritis:

Easy Pose (Sukhasana) This is one of the classic Meditative Poses and is usually performed after doing the Corpse Pose. The Easy Pose helps in straightening the spine, slowing down metabolism, promoting inner tranquility, and keeping your mind still. Single Leg Raises This Yoga Pose is performed in order to prepare the body for other exercises. It benefits the legs, lower back muscles, and abdominal area. In practicing the Single Leg Raise, one leg is raised while the other one stays on the floor. Shoulder Stretches Shoulder Stretches are great in relieving stress and tension on your shoulders, as well as your entire upper back. Practice them daily for several weeks and notice the changes. Learn some basic stretches for the shoulders in this section. Neck Exercises Many people hold tension in their necks and shoulders, leading to stiffness, bad posture, and tension headaches. Yoga practice can ease tension, increase flexibility, and tone the muscles. Learn some Neck Exercises in this section. Standing Side Stretch Pose The Standing Side Stretch is another Yoga Pose with two lines of energy radiating outward from your center. This is a simple Yoga Posture with a wonderful stretch in which one line of energy reaches upward from your belly and outward through the arm, and one line travels downward through the legs. Hand Clenching Hands and wrists are common body parts which are affected by Arthritis, especially Osteoarthritis. Take good care of your hands and joints and always keep them in 'good working condition' by performing the Hand Clenching Exercise. Wrist Bending Your wrists can also be affected by arthritis, specifically Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Take good care of your wrists through stretching and bending. Learn how to improve the range of motion of your wrists by doing the Wrist Bending Exercise. Yoga Exercise - Final Corpse For you to appreciate the benefits of relaxation, you should first be familiar on how it is to be tense. This is what happens when you do the Final Corpse. Everything related to that position including suggestions on how to do it is discussed in further detail in this article. Ankle Bending repeated strain or sprain in the ankles can contribute to the occurrence of Ankle Arthritis. Manage stress and keep your ankles in good condition through therapy, having enough rest, and by doing the Ankle Bending Exercise. Ankle Rotation Pay attention to your ankles to avoid muscle or tendon strain due to too much training. Perform the Ankle Rotation Exercise and make your ankles more flexible. This is also ideal for people who are suffering from arthritis. Relaxation Pose The first step in Yoga practice is to learn how to relax your body and mind. In this section, know why relaxation is essential in practicing Yoga and learn how to do the Corpse Pose and other techniques for physical, mental, as well as spiritual relaxation.

Why don't you give these Yoga Poses a try? They might be really helpful in dealing with Arthritis. Just take note that not all poses are advisable to be practiced by people with Arthritis. It may depend on their health condition and their ability to do certain poses. It would be better to consult a physician first or do the poses under the supervision of a Yoga instructor.

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