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Yoga For Joints and
Arthritis
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. |
