Yoga for Rehabilitation

More than 2000 years ago, an Indian sage described yoga as “preventive, healing art, science, and philosophy” for the purpose of blending the mind, body, and spirit to achieve optimum health. Yoga is usually regarded as a practice most associated with healthy individuals. Some images portray yoga as a mystical, spiritual ritual associated with meditation and relaxation.

Physical therapists have only recently begun to embrace the postures and breathing techniques used in this ancient practice. Physical therapists have advanced education and training in human anatomy, human physiology, and the movement sciences. They are uniquely qualified to assess and identify deviations from normal movement and changes in physical performance which have developed as a result of an illness or injury.  The underlying causes of movement dysfunction are vast and usually involve an interruption of the delicate interaction between the musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardio-respiratory systems of the body.

The physical therapists designs a plan of treatment to restore normal movement and to promote a return to the individual’s prior level of function. The incorporation of strength training, flexibility and stretching exercises, balance and coordination activities, and breathing techniques are mutually addressed by both the physical therapist and yoga practitioner. Therefore, yoga as a treatment adjunct in physical therapy has shifted from a practice used to promote “wellness” to an effective “rehabilitation” tool. The following examples serve to illustrate the incorporation of “asanas” and “pranayamas” to treat common physical therapy diagnoses

A group of patients is participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation program due to complications of COPD (chronic obstructive lung disease, e.g., emphysema). Emphysema destroys the air sacs in the lungs which eventually results in a reduction in the amount of oxygen that reaches the bloodstream. It also destroys the elasticity in the walls of the airways that feed the air sacs, and air is then trapped in the lungs when a person attempts to breathe out. Common characteristics of COPD include shortness of breath with minimal activity and a shallow, inefficient breathing pattern. The physical therapist instructs the participants in “Breathing Retention” to teach normal diaphragmatic breathing technique and “Skull Shining Breath” to teach forced expiration to effectively clear the lungs.

Physical therapists often must adapt traditional yoga techniques according to the patient’s age, body type, physical status, and disease process. The high demands of many of the movements and postures may be divided into parts of the whole activity so the patient can still receive the benefits at a modified level. Standing postures may be adapted for sitting, or single leg standing postures may be initially performed with both feet on the ground.

The addition of yoga practices to the comprehensive list of treatment options available to the physical therapist provides a creative and enjoyable approach to the treatment of a wide variety of musculature and neurological conditions.

Get more Knowledge Regarding Yoga for Rehabilitation by joining us at “3rd World Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Conference” June 18-19, 2020 Dubai, UAE