Is Yoga really helpful for Managing Arthritis?

by Megan Faulkner

The Australian Institute of Health and Wellness (www.aihw.gov.au) has recently published (11 September 2009) health expenditure data for arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders in Australia for 2004-05.

More than 6 million Australians are effected by these conditions and direct health care expenditure was $4billion which equates to 7.5% of the total allocated health expenditure in Australia http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10699.

Osteoarthritis accounted for one third of the costs and alot of it is associated with hospital expenditure for hip and knee replacements, and medications.

As someone who suffers from mild Osteoarthritis and who is always looking for the most natural solution to the problem, I thought there must be a functional way of easing this problem.  There are many therapies and activities that are thought to help Arthritis, such as Tai Chi, aqua aerobics, osteopathy, Feldenkrais and Alexander Technique. However, as a somewhat biased yoga devotee I was interested in the benefits yoga could provide for treating Arthritis pain and stiffness.

The John Hopkins Arthritis Centre in Baltimore, Maryland ( http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/patient-corner/disease-management/yoga.html) provides yoga classes for Arthritis sufferers based on over 75 scientific studies as a beneficial from of physical activity.  Of those studies only a few have assessed patients with Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis, but those studies found an improvement in joint health, physical functioning, and mental and emotional wellbeing http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/patient-corner/disease-management/yoga.html#benefits.

Most of all the studies found an overall improvement in quality of life, positive feelings and stress reduction.  It is thought that many arthritis sufferers may enjoy yoga more than other forms of exercise and therefore stick with it.

‘Yoga Journal’ magazine has also published blogs and articles discussing the benefits.  One study by the Emirates Arthritis Foundation is mentioned and suggests that only 12 sessions of yoga can make a difference to sufferers of Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Other studies can be found at http://www.yogajournal.com/search?q=arthritis.  Yoga may also ease discomfort for sufferers of osteoarthritis http://www.yogajournal.com/health/2577, especially when props such as blocks, straps and chairs are used to accommodate limitations, and when practiced regularly.

There are many forms of therapy out there and yoga may not be the right one for everyone.

The message is to not let disease or limitation prevent you from trying therapeutic activities that you may enjoy.

Under medical advice explore your options, do research, don’t be afraid to use props or modified techniques to get you started, and sticking with it is important.