Yoga For Arthritis

Use Yoga For Arthritis To Increase Flexibility

Yoga for arthritis is one of the most underrated and overlooked ways to treat a condition which is bothering an increasing number of people every year. This can be an extremely painful condition, even though the causes are not fully known and understood, and it can also restrict mobility so that work performance is affected. There are many different treatments for arthritis, from harsh chemical drugs to mineral supplements and herbs, and yoga is one more potential aid to help people manage symptoms and live a normal life.

One of the most important steps in using yoga in the treatment of arthritis is to get into the right frame of mind. It is vital to understand that there are no magic cures or solutions, and that progress will take time. Also, there are rarely cases which progress in a straight line. There will nearly always be a period of time in which the problem seems to worsen again, before another spell of progress is made. This often happens because of the change to cold weather, or simply because of a lifestyle change which has put more pressure on the affected limbs.

Yoga is most effective when it is consistent, and when it is performed in a routine. Exercising for five minutes a day is better than doing longer but being inconsistent, and it will allow you to develop a near automatic routine. There are no set routines which will work for everyone, as all arthritis sufferers have different degrees of mobility, and the joint problems in different parts of the body. If you can find a routine which is aimed at people with the arthritis in the right place, you may be available to amend it slightly to suit your exact circumstances.

The technique you use in yoga for arthritis is going to largely determine how successful the treatment is. The most important factor of all is one which may not be immediately obvious, and that is to get the starting position exactly right. If you are favoring one side of the body because you have an injury to the other, you will only be increasing the chances of that side of the body itself sustaining an injury. Yoga routines which are designed for treating arthritis often start from the standing position, so that everything except the feet is loose and free of weight.

The standing position allows for free movement with yoga for arthritis, but it also limits the time which many people can spend on the exercise. After an initial time with the standing position, many people will switch to a more comfortable sitting or horizontal position to improve their chances of achieving relaxation. The limbs need to be moved, but in a way which increases flexibility and suppleness. Start with slow and gentle movements, and never allow your joints to be stretched too far. If you sense any degree of tightness, either choke down on your movements or rest and wait to try again tomorrow.

Using yoga for arthritis does demand a certain level of patience, because progress may not be quick and it certainly cannot be forced. Many people start well, and then become frustrated when it seems as though the work is no longer paying off. The key here is to think of the long term picture, and to keep working with the system. It is more than likely that the exercises will return to being productive when the body has rested, or when the temperature is not so cold. Listening to your body and attending to its needs will give you the best result from yoga for arthritis.

Author: Marc Knox