Pain and stress are common symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis. To manage those symptoms more effectively, think yoga. Yoga is proven effective for reducing inflammation in the body, thereby reducing chronic pain and discomfort. Yoga is also a superior method for reducing the mental and emotional stress that often burdens Ankylosing Spondylitis sufferers.
Yoga is an alternative practice which can be used to complement your medical treatment plan. It combines physical and mental disciplines structured to create peacefulness in mind and body, which is why it works wonders to reduce pain, stress and anxiety. As you practice yoga regularly, you will soon come to love how good it feels.
There are few AS sufferers who will not benefit from yoga as a method to manage their symptoms. Regular practice of yoga decreases stress and tension; increases strength, balance and flexibility; lowers blood pressure, induces deep sleep and reduces serum levels of cortisol, a primary stress hormone. All of these benefits are proven to reduce inflammation in the body.
If you’ve not done yoga before, pick a class and style suited to beginners. Restorative yoga is one of the more gentle versions, while vinyasa and flow are more athletically focused. Bikram or “hot” yoga is not typically recommended for first-timers. If you have questions about engaging in yoga as part of your Ankylosing Spondylitis medical treatment plan, speak to a doctor or physical therapist who can offer the guidance you need to proceed properly.
Good yoga instructors always place emphasis on having their students respect their own levels of flexibility. The key is to make it challenging, but not overwhelming. Do this by listening to your body and paying close attention to what feels right, and always remain within those guidelines. As you do, you help your body help itself, and it responds to your efforts positively and naturally.
Yoga provides a host of benefits to AS sufferers. It provides strong emotional support due to emphasis on proper breathing, which circulates more oxygen throughout the stressed and damaged tissues in the body. Many people report increased levels of energy and decreased feelings of depression and fatigue. Finally, yoga relaxes the mind, which has innumerable benefits for mental, emotional and physical health, including a powerful reduction in sensations of chronic pain.
Consider complementing your medical treatment plan with yoga to ease the physical and emotional stress of Ankylosing Spondylitis. You’ve got nothing to lose but the pain.
Peter