Please see below for a variety of yoga 'prescriptions' and considerations relating to different ailments and conditions. These are meant as a self-help tool only, and so please consult your GP or medical practitioner beforehand if required.
I wrote for Om Yoga & Health Magazine on Yoga Therapy for seven years (over 10 years on various subjects), as well as for other international yoga and health magazines. I currently work with clients globally, using yoga to help a variety of issues.
Please contact me, should you seek advice and or to book a consultation.
Yoga Therapy ‘Prescriptions’ (self-help resource)
Agoraphobia is a phobia where the person is afraid of being in situations where escape might be difficult (the word comes from the Greek words, meaning ‘fear of the marketplace’). A person with Agoraphobia might be fearful of travelling in lifts, on public transport, or even leaving their homes, and if they become panicked by their situation or surroundings they may have symptoms of panic attacks, increased pulse rate, shallow/quick breathing, feel nauseas, and perspire with feeling hot.
Usually there has been a trigger for a person to develop Agoraphobia. Sometimes a person may have suffered a trauma or been deeply affected by something in their life. Not all people with this condition understand the root cause and sometimes to heal, they don’t need to know. However, with the help of yoga techniques, a person can heal themselves, or use the yogic techniques when the symptoms of Agoraphobia arise.
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Anger is a powerful natural emotional release of feelings. Should the emotion not be healthily released, then it can have a detrimental effect and impact on a person, and other areas such as mental health, lifestyle, relationships etc. Anger can be shown in various ways; it is a very natural response to threats or harms done, usually in the past.
The solution here is to find a way that the anger can be released without harm to oneself or another. In the practice of yoga, we can focus on the practice of ‘Ahimsa’ or non-violence (from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras) and use Yoga to help us deal with the cause of this emotion and the emotion itself. To deal with all the circumstances of anger, we need to be kind (non-violent) with ourselves first.
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Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder where a person loses significant weight by restricting their food intake dramatically. On the surface the sufferer shows an anxiety about their physical body and usually sees their body as fat or overweight, even though they are not. People with anorexia nervosa tend to have a distorted body image of themselves.
Although this has been predominately a female disorder, it also affects males too. On average this disorder starts to develop around puberty. Yoga can help a person understand themselves on a deeper level than the physical and when used restoratively, the techniques of yoga can help a person heal or cope with their situation. For everyone with this eating disorder, the symptoms may show as the same (weight loss, loss of appetite, image distortion) but the actual cause for them is very individual.
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Anxiety (also called angst or worry) is a psychological and physiological state characterized by somatic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components. It is the displeasing feeling of fear and concern.
Whilst depression is usually developed with thinking too much about the past, anxiety is generally brought about by too much thinking about the future, and ‘perceived’ future events. Yoga helps you to be neither too much in the past or future as it helps you to be just in the now.
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Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. (wikipedia.org)
A common complaint and one which I come across a lot in my work, is arthritis – referring to several inflammatory conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling, usually around the joints. For example, Osteoarthritis (being the most common), rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.
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Asthma (from the Greek άσθμα, ásthma, "panting") is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterised by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. (wikipedia.org)
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Athletes Foot is a common fungal infection of the skin on the feet and tends to occur between the toes. It especially breeds because footwear and socks create a warm and moist place for it, which then shows on the outer surface of the skin, promoting fungal growth. This infection can become itchy, red and sore if left untreated.
Athletes foot is so called as it was most popular in Athletes whose feet would be used excessively in exercise and become warm/moist. It also occurs due to using public facilities such as changing rooms and swimming pools. In yoga it can occur in people who practice ‘hot’ yoga, or ‘Bikram’ yoga. Obviously, this symptom starts before it appears on the body, with an energy change within the body and usually relating to the affected area of the body. Through certain yoga postures and breathing techniques that have been given as starting points here in this article, you can improve things through a yoga practice.
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Bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the air passages within the lungs. It occurs when the trachea (windpipe) and the large and small bronchi (airways) within the lungs become inflamed because of infection or irritation from other causes.
Restorative yoga can help with alleviating the harsh symptoms of bronchitis. Postures and gentle breathing techniques that add less stress on the lungs are required until you are fully healed. It’s important that you stimulate your body to get the healing energies flowing through your heart, lungs, and throat. Start now and take some time for yourself in some gentle yoga.
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Bulimia is a condition in where a person tries to control their weight by bingeing on foods and then making themselves sick, and/or using laxatives also. A bulimic may restrict their food intake quite severely, but most likely then enter the binge/purge cycle. Sufferers often feel that this condition controls them and struggle to have a healthy relationship with foods.
There can be numerous underlying causes for this condition, and can also be associated with other conditions, such as depression, low mood, alcoholism, self-harm. Like other eating disorders this symptom/condition is usually related to blockages of the root chakra and the energy of the lower body – which tends to relate to family (issues), and safety/security. Work on the lower energies of the body through yoga can help heal and balance the energies, and here are some Yogic Prescriptions to help….
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Cervicalgia is the term for neck pain which does not radiate outward and is derived from the Greek ‘algos’ meaning pain, and the Latin ‘cervic’ meaning neck. The pain is most likely due to causes other than nerve compression in the neck, such as from the cervical spinal muscles which have become tired and overused, or after injury or trauma.
Keeping the neck, shoulders and upper back flexible is important, as a lot of pain can be caused by stiffness and rigidity, however finding out the actual cause of the pain is important when deciding upon a course of action. Yoga is a wonderful healing tool when used in prevention of, and in recovery from neck pain.
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially relieved by rest, nor caused by other medical conditions. (wikipedia.org)
CFS/ME is one of my specialities. There are very personal reasons for the onset of CFS and for those who suffer from this ‘condition’. Sometimes the body/mind attempts to shut down to protect a person, or even prevent them from following a path that is not their purpose. The path of yoga with all its wonderful healing techniques is perfect for a person’s rehabilitation and recovery from the grasps of debilitating Chronic Fatigue/ME.
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Common cold (also known as nasopharyngitis, acute viral rhinopharyngitis, acute coryza, or a cold) (Latin: rhinitis acuta catarrhalis) is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system, caused primarily by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. Common symptoms include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, and fever. There is currently no known treatment that shortens the duration. (Wikipedia)
The common cold is one of the most popular infections that we can suffer from. Most adults will have symptoms of a cold from two to four times a year, and children from six to twelve times a year. Quite incredible really, and a ‘symptom’ most of us would like to avoid each year. December and January of course are the most popular times of year in which colds appear. To prevent and/or deal with cold symptoms, here are some important yogic prescriptions for you to have on hand each year.
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Conjunctivitis (also called madras eye or pink eye) usually affects both eyes; however, it can start in one, and then spread from one to another over a few days. It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the mucous membrane covering the white of the eyes and the inner side of the eyelids.
There are five different types of conjunctivitis – viral, bacterial, chlamydial, allergic, and reactive, and whichever type you have, gentle yoga techniques will help ease and even eliminate symptoms. You may wish to do many of the postures with your eyes closed whilst focusing on your breathing. The life force in your breath will help heal your eyes.
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Constipation can affect all ages and is very common. Most people (especially pregnant woman and elderly people) will have experienced this at some point in their life. Constipation is when a person struggles to completely empty their bowels or are not passing a motion regularly.
There can be many reasons why this symptom occurs, and some reasons are: Dehydration, not eating enough fibre via fruit and vegetables, not listening to the body’s natural urges to go to the toilet, or medication side effects, to name a few. Making some simple lifestyle changes can help, such as moving the body and its energy more through yoga, changing your diet to a healthier one, or releasing unhealthy habits and patterns from your lifestyle. Here I offer a few starting points.
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Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings, and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless. They may lose interest in activities that once were pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or overeating, or problems concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions; and may contemplate or attempt suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, loss of energy, or aches, pains or digestive problems that are resistant to treatment may be present. (wikipedia.org)
It can be sometimes difficult to catch yourself before reaching ‘depression’, but should you bring some yoga into your life daily, it can be easily prevented. With these simple yoga techniques, you can lift your spirits and your mood whenever you feel the need to.
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Dermatitis is dry, red, itchy skin. There are many types of dermatitis. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of dermatitis you have. For this article, I will be discussing Nummular (meaning round or "coin shaped") dermatitis, which is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by the presence of well-demarcated round-to-oval erythematous plaques. It is most found on the upper and lower body extremities; both have been reported in other areas of the body too.
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Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes—is a group of metabolic dis-eases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes), or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced (type 1 diabetes). This high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger). (Wikipedia)
For this article we are concentrating on type 2 diabetes which usually develops in adulthood. The good news is that what you do can have a tremendous effect on preventing diabetes (if you are at risk of it) and if you have it already, how it progresses. Nutrition and yoga practices can help you control your blood sugar levels immensely. However, when you start a yoga practice it is important for you to have our blood sugar levels checked regularly as your blood sugar levels can drop and your insulin may need adjusting accordingly.
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Earache is a pain or pressure within the ear that is causing the person pain. Earache can be due to infection, sinus issues, cold symptoms, damage to the ear or having a small foreign object in the ear (e.g.: children putting things in). Earache can be in one ear or both ears. Should the pain last more than three days, then it is important to have a GP or nurse assess the ear.
Yoga postures and breathing techniques can of course help here, though it is important to listen to your body and adjust yourself accordingly. Should the pain or pressure worsen, please ease of the technique and/or seek professional help as mentioned. Sometimes yoga and deep breathing techniques can push through blockages with the energy of the body, and in the physical body itself. Practising the yoga postures here with Ujjayi breathing could possibly release or ease pain/pressure.
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Eczema (from Greek ἔκζεμα ēkzema, "to boil over") is a condition that causes the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) to become itchy, red, dry, and cracked. It is a long-term, or chronic, condition. Atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is the most common form of eczema. It mainly affects children but can continue into adulthood.
There are various forms of eczema which can affect a person; atopic, contact, xerotic and seborrheic. For this article we are to look at ‘atopic’ eczema, one of the most common forms of eczema. Atopic eczema usually has a heredity component which runs in families that have asthma. It tends to show itself on the head, neck, scalp, inside of elbows, knees, and buttock. Yoga techniques can certainly help in reducing the symptoms of eczema and can even cure it completely.
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Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes the sufferer to have pain all over their body. This is usually a long-term condition and symptoms can include: muscle stiffness and tensions, trouble sleeping, IBS, extreme fatigue, and an increased sensitivity to pain.
This condition is sometimes caused by abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain which in turn affects the central nervous systems and how the pain messages are transmitted through the body. Although the exact cause of this condition in a person is mostly unknown, a change or review in lifestyle can have very positive effects in a person. Chakra work, breathing techniques and meditation/relaxation are paramount in helping anyone with fibromyalgia.
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Frozen shoulder (sometimes called adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder) is a condition where a shoulder becomes painful and stiff. Shoulder movements become reduced, sometimes completely 'frozen'. It is thought to be due to scar-like tissue forming in the shoulder capsule. Without treatment, symptoms usually go but this may take up to 2-3 years.
As soon as Frozen Shoulder is diagnosed it is important that you treat it as soon as possible. Using Yoga as a therapy will help. Movement. Massage. Meditation and Pranayama will help immensely in freeing up the shoulder and the surrounding areas. Slow gentle movements and breathing will assist you in releasing the shoulder.
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Gallstones are small, pebble-like substances that develop in the gallbladder, usually made of cholesterol. They form when liquid stored in the gallbladder hardens into pieces of stone-like material. The medical term for symptoms and complications related to gallstones is gallstone disease or cholelithiasis.
We all have gallstones present and some more than others. They are not always a problem, and we may not notice them for a while before symptoms of dis-ease appear. Yoga techniques can alleviate symptoms of gallstones and get the body’s energy moving to flush out any toxins. However, a regular liver and gall bladder cleanse is perfect for preventing gallstone disease (usually followed by a colonic irrigation) and so also avoids any medical/surgical intervention.
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Glandular fever is a viral infection that is usually found in young adults. Symptoms include fatigue, swollen glands, a severe sore throat, and high temperature. Whilst most of the symptoms can resolve within 3-4 weeks, the fatigue can last several months.
Known as the ‘Kissing Disease’, this virus is generally found in the salvia and can be spread also via coughs and sneezes. Once a person has had Glandular fever, they are usually immune to catching it again. To ‘catch’ any virus, the body had to be low in immunity and so taking steps to change your lifestyle through eating, exercise, and rest in the solution to bringing healing and strength into your whole being.
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Hay Fever is a common allergic condition that affects up to one-in-five people at some point in their life. It is a reaction to pollen and some of the symptoms include runny nose, itchy nose and eyes, and sneezing.
For those of you who suffer from hay fever you will certainly expect it around spring/summertime each year. It is an allergic rhinitis which affects the nasal airways, and this can be quite disruptive for a person, especially for the practicing yogi/yogini where breathing clearly is paramount.
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Headaches (cephalalgia) is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. They tend to be a symptom of several different conditions of the head and neck. The brain tissue alone has no pain receptors and so hence is not receptive to any pain. The pain quite often is caused by the disturbance of the sensitive structures around brain, from nerves, tissues, membranes and so on…
There can be a few reasons for headaches. They are usually due to several disturbances in your chakra energy which then present to you bodily (via the sinuses, teeth, eyes, ears, nose, blood vessels, blood pressure, tiredness, stress etc) in the form of a headache. Yoga techniques and deep conscious breathing will help increase the intake of healing Prana (energy) into your body and so help to relieve any pain.
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Hodgkin’s Disease is a type of lymphoma (a cancer of the lymph system – part of the immune system). One of the first signs of Hodgkin’s is an enlarged lymph node, and it can also spread to the nearby lymph nodes, and on to the lungs, liver, or bone marrow. Found early enough, this disease can be cured.
For this disease there is no clear medical cause for it, however in Yoga Therapy we look a little deeper than the body – and we believe that the cause is found in the energy of a person before it becomes known in the body. Positive thinking, healing meditations and positive actions have been proven to reduce symptomatic signs and diseases, and in some cases heal a person completely. It is never too late to start yoga and its many therapeutic techniques, your journey could start now.
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Hypercholesterolemia (known as High Cholesterol) is where there is an extremely high level of lipids in your blood. Too much cholesterol in the body can cause health problems such as coronary diseases such as angina, heart attack and stroke.
High cholesterol doesn’t usually show itself in the form of symptoms so usually diagnosis is after having had a blood test at your local GP’s. Changing your diet and becoming healthy is the aim here. Yoga techniques and nutrition changes will certainly make immediate positive results.
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Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure is a cardiac chronic medical condition in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. Hypertension is classified as either primary (essential) hypertension or secondary hypertension; about 90–95% of cases are termed "primary hypertension", which refers to high blood pressure for which no medical cause has been found. The remaining 5–10% of cases (Secondary hypertension) are caused by other conditions that affect the kidneys, arteries, heart, or endocrine system. (wikipedia.org)
Yogic techniques have been proven to lower blood pressure without the use of prescription drugs. However, many people have used these yogic techniques to reduce their medication (with their doctor’s approval) and have also stopped taking them altogether. A combination of postural work, meditation, breathing, relaxation, and nutrition will certainly improve blood pressure. Here are a few pointers to start you off.
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Hyperthyroidism 2 (Overactive thyroid) is a condition in which the thyroid overproduces hormones. Common symptoms include weight loss, weakness, irregular heartbeat, and difficulty sleeping. Graves’ disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, is more prevalent in women than in men.
The thyroid gland regulates the metabolism through the release of the hormones it produces which are tetraiodothyronine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are two primary hormones that control how your cells use energy. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid makes too much T4, T3, or both. Energy work with the chakras and pranayama techniques can help balance the hormones.
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Indigestion (Dyspepsia) usually occurs after eating and causes symptoms such as discomfort in your upper abdomen or chest. A person can also get indigestion anytime. The feelings of discomfort tend to be a burning feeling in the upper abdomen, belching, pain/discomfort, and/or feeling nauseas.
Most people have suffered with indigestion at some time in their life, however if the symptoms continue over more than three days then consulting a GP would be advisable. For the odd times of indigestion, breathing and yoga will help to relieve the discomfort. Also being mindful about what you eat and making sure you chew your food fully before swallowing will help immensely also.
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Influenza (also known as flu) is a highly infectious and very common viral illness that is spread by coughs and sneezes; however, it is not the same as when you have a cold. Flu is caused by a different group of viruses and symptoms tend to be more severe and last for longer.
Flu tends to target those with a compromised or low immune system (like the elderly or those with certain long-term medical conditions), however if you are simply run down or stressed in some way, this too can affect your immune system. Like most illnesses and dis-eases, prevention is better than cure, so keeping your whole being healthy is vital. However, yoga can also help you if you are suffering from flu, or other symptoms.
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Insomnia (from Latin "in" meaning "not", and "Somnus" meaning "sleep") is most often defined by an individual's report of sleeping difficulties. insomnia is most often thought of as both a sign and a symptom that can accompany several sleeps, medical, and psychiatric disorders, characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep or sleep of poor quality (for more than a month). (wikipedia.org)
Insomnia affects the whole being of a person. One area it affects is the autonomic nervous system as it over stimulates the sympathetic system (your flight or fight mechanism), and so can cause stress to you in mind, body and spirit. By bringing yoga into your life, you can combat the overstimulation of the sympathetic system by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system (your relaxing mechanism) and so will bring you into a more harmonic state of being.
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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a long-term problem where the kidneys do not work as effectively as they could. Swollen ankles, tiredness, nausea, blood in the urine, and shortness of breath are just some of the symptoms. Symptoms usually only present themselves in advanced stages, however CKD can be detected earlier through diagnostic testing such as blood and urine testing.
The role of the kidneys is to filter waste products from the blood before converting them into urine. Other roles include maintaining blood pressure and helping to keep a good balance of chemicals in the body to help other organs. Although there is said to be no ‘cure’, yoga techniques, a healthy diet and lifestyle, can help to halt or slow the progression of the disease.
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Knee Pain is usually caused by overuse or via injury directly or indirectly to the knee. Simple causes of knee pain often clear up on their own accord with self-care. Being overweight can also put you at greater risk for knee problems.
When we have an injury or pain in an area of the body it is usually linked to a greater hurt in a less obvious area of yourself, e.g., in the energetic body around you. The pain from the energetic body (physical, astral, or spiritual planes) is then manifested in the physical body so that you will then take notice of it. Many people have yet to realise that this is generally where the real cause of pain starts. Deepening your knowledge of yoga and your awareness of YOURSELF will help you discover the cause of the pain.
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Laryngitis (Viral) means inflammation of the larynx. The larynx is where the vocal cords are located and joins the back of the throat to the windpipe (trachea). Symptoms show by soreness at the front of the neck, and there may be hoarseness in the voice, even a loss of voice.
The most common type of Laryngitis is due to viral infection and so the best solution (especially at this time of year) is to boost your immune system to prevent this type of infection occurring. Due to the nature of this illness one way is to practice Pranayama (breathing techniques) and so stimulate the airways and energy channels.
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Cramps (leg) is a pain that comes from the muscle of the leg and is due to muscle spasm when a muscle spasms too hard. Sometimes these appear in the quadricep muscle, or lower calf muscle below and behind the knee. Occasionally the feet muscles are affected too. All ages can experience cramps and they can last up to 10minutes with varying pain levels.
The cause of cramps is sometimes unclear on a physical level (idiopathic leg cramps), However, they can be caused due to poor nutrition, dehydration, over exercise or too little exercise. When cramps occur, massaging and pressing into the belly (middle) of the muscle can ease the spasm, though to avoid it occurring again the cause needs to be addressed. Yoga can address all levels of the cause (mind, body, spirit), through postures, breathing/relaxation techniques, and mindfulness, in prevention of and treatment of cramps.
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Low Back Pain or lumbago (/lʌmˈbeɪɡoʊ/) is a common musculoskeletal disorder affecting 80% of people at some point in their lives. In the United States it is the most common cause of job-related disability, a leading contributor to missed work, and the second most common neurological ailment — only headache is more common. It can be acute, subacute, or chronic in duration. With conservative measures, the symptoms of low back pain typically show significant improvement within a few weeks from onset. (wikipedia.org)
Here’s a general ‘prescription’ for alleviating lower back pain with yoga therapy. The lumbar spine can be a quite complicated area when curing the pain issues. A lot also depends upon which lumbar disc is affected. For this article we are looking at the L3/L4 lumbar region. Working with the energies of the lower chakras (Muladhara, Swadhistana & Manipuri) is very important in bringing about pain relief for the lower back, so focusing on them is important whilst performing the yogic prescription to bring balance to your whole being.
Most pain in a person’s body starts energetically in the emotionally, mental or spirit energy bodies (around the body) and then locates itself within an area for you to take notice.
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Lymphoedema is a chronic long-term condition which involves blockage of the lymph vessels (due to vessel damage or being missing), with a resulting accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial tissues of the body. Usually this occurs in the arms or legs mainly.
Although it is said that there is no cure for this condition, it can be treated and eased with the aid of yoga and aromatherapy massage. Moving and stretching the body will help to release built up pressure and create a warm energy to increase the lymph flow.
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Migraine (from the Greek words hemi, meaning half, and kranion, meaning skull) is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by moderate to severe headaches, and nausea. It is about three times more common in women than in men.
The typical migraine headache is unilateral (affecting one half of the head) and pulsating in nature and lasting from 4 to 72 hours; symptoms include nausea, vomiting, photophobia (increased sensitivity to light), phonophobia (increased sensitivity to sound); the symptoms are generally aggravated by routine activity. (wikipedia.org)
The triggers for getting migraine can vary from person to person, and usually it is a combination of factors that trigger it, e.g., foods, environment, emotions etc. Although finding the trigger of migraine is important, what is triggering the trigger? What is causing the migraine? The cause of migraine is always unique to the individual even though the 'symptoms' are similar.
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Neuropathic Pain is a complex, chronic pain state that usually is accompanied by tissue injury. With neuropathic pain, the nerve fibres themselves may be damaged, dysfunctional, or injured. These damaged nerve fibres send incorrect signals to other pain centres. The impact of nerve fibre injury includes a change in nerve function both at the site of injury and areas around the injury.
Symptoms of neuropathic pain may incudes, a shooting and burning pain, or a tingling and numbness around the area of complaint. This article is focused on someone who might have tissue damage and/or nerve injury around the base of the spine. Yoga and physical therapy, breathing techniques and mindfulness can ease any pain associated with this condition. It is important not to aggravate all the spine and to move slowly with the breathing. The breath will bring healing prana to the less strong areas and with a focused mind, will help the body to heal.
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Osteoporosis ("porous bones", from Greek: οστούν/ ostoun meaning "bone" and πόρος/ poros meaning "pore") is a condition that affects the bones, causing them to become weak and fragile and more likely to break (fracture).
Bone density generally declines from the age of 35yrs as part of the natural aging process; however, there is much you can do to decrease the amount of decline. Strengthening postures (resistance training) and deep breathing techniques, along with visualisations can certainly improve your overall bone density and condition.
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Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological condition. People with Parkinson's don't have enough of a chemical called dopamine because some nerve cells in their brain have died. Without dopamine people can find that their movements become slower, so it takes longer to do things. There have been no findings as to why a person gets Parkinson’s disease.
Yoga will help strengthen and create flexibility within a person with Parkinson’s; it will also bring an inner balance and peace. With Parkinson’s disease it is important to flow through the postures rather than hold them, as this counteracts the spasms that can be triggered from holding postures for a while. However, some postures that create balance when held can be beneficial though.
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Poor Circulation – in legs (also known as Peripheral Artery Disease) occurs as arteries narrow and reduce blood flow to limbs of your body. Thus, your blood cannot keep up with the demands of your body and can cause pain (usually in the legs). Symptoms include leg pain while walking, cramping in arms or legs after activity, cold feet, calf pain, leg numbness or weakness, hair loss or slow hair growth on legs, sores on feet or legs that won't heal, slow toenail growth, and erectile dysfunction in men.
Diet, poor lifestyle habits such as smoking, and a lack of exercise can cause poor circulation in the legs. Yoga postures and deep focused breathing techniques alongside a healthy diet is important if you wish to improve the circulation issues you have. The knock-on effect will also be that you feel much better and more motivated as you make these positive changes in your life.
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Post Natal Depression is a type of depression which some woman experience after having a baby. Symptoms start in the first six weeks of having a baby, though quite often is not apparent until around six months or more. Symptoms can include irritability, low mood, feelings that one cannot cope with, anxiety, and hopelessness.
Post natal depression can go unnoticed for quite a while, with mothers feeling low as they feel they ‘should not’’ feel this way, especially having a wonderful new baby. it is important to notice the symptoms when they start to arise as a professional will be able to help. Self-help is vital, and this is where yoga can help. Becoming mindful of your thoughts, actions, and feelings, and being kind to yourself as much as possible will help recovery.
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Reactive hypoglycaemia is sometimes experienced by people after a high carbohydrate-based meal or snack. The pancreas produces too much insulin to regulate the amount of sugar (glucose) in the body. This usually happens within four hours of consumption. Some of the symptoms include dizziness, craving of sweet foods, tiredness, irritability, sweating, and numbness/coldness in the extremities.
Obviously, nutrition is a major play here; however, this really is still a symptom for something more. Usually, a craving for something nice or sweet, in life. Getting to know yourself through yoga can deepness your awareness of yourself and assist you in finding out what you really want. Going within in these yogic prescriptions will start you off in the best direction.
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Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a term used to describe pain in the muscles, tendons, and nerves in a part of the body which is mostly used. It is a condition which can appear after an overuse (repetitive) of the part in which the pain has occurred.
This condition tends to present itself in the upper body, in the forearms, elbows, wrists, hands, neck and shoulders. Symptoms include stiffness, soreness, pain, tingling, and/or cramp. The solution here would be to rest the area of overuse, but also to exercise and move that part in other ways from the way it is usually. Breath and energy work is also required here so to remove stagnant energy/blockages which can also contribute to the soreness/symptoms. The following yogic prescriptions are a general suggestion to get the energy following in the upper body mostly.
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SAD (Seasonal affective disorder), is a mood disorder which generally affects people around winter time, but can also affect people at other times of year too due to seasonal changes. Some symptoms of SAD include lethargy, sleep problems, loss of libido, depression, cravings for carbohydrates, tearfulness, and irritableness.
As well as renting/ purchasing a SAD light box at the time of year you feel most low, gentle yoga practices can help you keep motivated and your spirits high. In wintertime getting to bed earlier helps as we need more sleep in the winter months (about 8-10 hours).
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Sciatica (or sciatic neuritis) is a set of symptoms that may be caused by general compression and/or irritation of one of five spinal nerve roots that give rise to each sciatic nerve, or by compression or irritation of the left or right or both sciatic nerves. The pain, numbness, muscular weakness, tingling is sometimes felt in the lower back, buttock, and/or various parts of the leg and foot. (wikipedia.org)
Sciatica is a set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis for what is irritating the root of the nerve, causing the pain. This point is important, because treatment for sciatica or sciatic symptoms will often be different, depending upon the underlying cause of the symptoms.
In this article we are looking at the Piriformis muscle (the hip rotator muscle), which is located at the sacrum and hip. 10% of us have a sciatic nerve which passes through the muscle and should there be a problem with the Piriformis muscle, then this will affect the sciatic nerve.
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Scoliosis is a side-to-side curvature of the spine. The spinal curve can be in the shape of a C or S. The bend can be anywhere on the spine, lumbar (lower back) or thoracic (chest). It can be hereditary, be congenital and develop anytime throughout life.
If you do have scoliosis, yoga postures can help. Yoga can help also in the prevention of scoliosis. In both cases, yoga will ensure your spine is maintained in as good a condition as possible. Noticing the earliest signs of scoliosis is important so you can correct or improve it as soon as possible.
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Sleep Apnoea is a condition which causes an interruption in a person’s breathing whilst they are sleeping. The term ‘apnoea’ is used when the breathing/air flow is hindered for more than 10 seconds. This is caused when the tissues of the throat and the surrounding muscles relax quite sufficiently and thus blocks the airway.
Sleep Apnoea is mostly found in people who are overweight, if this were the case for you, this issue would need to be addressed also. However, several people suffer this condition regardless of weight and further investigation is needed as if left untreated it can cause other physical symptoms such as heart conditions. Starting your journey to health can be started with these yoga techniques.
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Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder) is a continuous fear of social situations and public events. This fear is usually overwhelming and life controlling for the person suffering with it. This condition is above the occasional panic of social interactions as the sufferer worries intensively about any present or future social situation, such as eating out in restaurants, answering the phone, meeting people – especially new people. This phobia is far more than a shyness or aloofness, which it is sometimes interrupted as.
This phobia often starts in childhood and tends to affect women more than men. It can be quite debilitating and is often not talked about because of a lack of acknowledgement or embarrassment. Yoga can help a person understand themselves on a deeper level and can help a person with this phobia connect with their inner being so that they can remain strong and grounded in any social situation. These yogic prescriptions can really help in coping with this disorder.
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Stress occurs when our physical fight or flight mechanism switches on and is usually due to our own perception of external events, whether perceived or actual. Stress can cause headaches, breathlessness, anger, tearfulness, and many other responses.
Ultimately stress is directly related to our survival aspect of self. When we feel under pressure, and/or we or our family are threatened (perceived by us or actual events) our whole bodily system changes to meet the challenge. The body, mind and breath are affected, and we can suffer from an overload of stress symptoms. Here the use of yogic techniques can really change and influence how you cope with any situation, real or otherwise.
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Tinnitus is the medical term for a person’s perception of an abnormal sound or noise, in one ear, both ears and/or the head. People who experience tinnitus may experience one or more of the following: a sound of buzzing, humming, music, whistling or rattling.
Treatment with conventional and alternative medicine will vary depending upon the cause of the tinnitus (wax build up, infection, injury etc.), which can be different for everyone. Long term tinnitus usually has no cure but can be managed with the use of yoga therapy, sound, and relaxation.
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Vertigo is the sensation that the world around you is spinning out of control, or that things are moving about. The severity can range from a person barely noticing it, to more debilitating amounts which stop you doing your daily activities. Other symptoms include a loss of balance, dizziness, and/or feeling sick.
Vertigo is usually caused by a problem with the way balance works in the inner ear, although it can also be caused by problems in certain parts of the brain. This doesn’t need to be seen as scary, as many of these symptoms disappear over time. However, yoga and focused breathing techniques will help to ground and rebalance the healing energies you have within, and thus promote symptoms to ease.