Yoga As Potent Adjunct Therapy for Rheumatoid ArthritisBanner
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition marked by inflammation and pain. A significant challenge for medical practitioners has been the modulation of the immune response in RA patients to manage its debilitating symptoms. A recent study sheds light on the potential of yoga as a potent therapeutic aid for RA patients.
The study, publised in Scientific Reports (Gautan et al. 2023), assessed the impact of an 8-week yoga programme on active RA patients on standard DMARDs. The results were encouraging:
These results suggest that yoga may offer an avenue to restore immune homeostasis, reduce immunological aging, and positively influence gene expression and epigenetic alterations in RA patients.
Another 2023 study by Karalilova et al. published in Folia Medica looked into the relationship between the proinflammatory molecule called interleukin 17 (IL-17) and certain antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They tested serum levels of IL-17 in 47 RA patients and 44 healthy individuals. The results showed that RA patients had higher IL-17 levels than the healthy group. While there was no significant link between IL-17 and some of the antibodies (anti-CCP and anti-MCV), they did find a noteworthy correlation between IL-17 and anti-CarP antibodies. This suggests that IL-17 might play a role in the development of RA in patients who have the anti-CarP antibody.
The research article published in the Journal of Clinical Diagnosis Research (Rajbhoj et al. 2015), examined the impact of yoga on certain inflammatory markers in industrial workers. 48 male participants, aged between 30-58 years, were split into two groups: one practicing yoga and a control group. The study tracked the levels of a pro-inflammatory marker (IL-1β) and an anti-inflammatory marker (IL-10) over a 12-week period. The findings showed that the yoga group experienced a notable decrease in the pro-inflammatory marker and an increase in the anti-inflammatory marker, whereas the control group showed no change. The study also concludes that yoga has potential benefits in reducing inflammation.
For fitness professionals, understanding the potential benefits of yoga for RA patients can be invaluable. Incorporating yoga into the wellness routines of RA patients may provide them with a holistic method to combat inflammation, manage pain, and improve overall quality of life. Given its non-invasive nature and the promising findings from recent studies, yoga stands out as a compelling adjunct to modern medicine in RA management.
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Unlock the incredible potential of yoga with our immersive Yoga Teacher Training Course! Dive deep into the ancient art and science of yoga and equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to share its benefits with the world. Recent research reveals that yoga doesn’t just boost emotional regulation, but also has significant effects on the body’s inflammatory markers. In fact, studies have found that yoga practitioners can experience improved emotional control, with influences on both cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. Additionally, industrial workers practicing yoga have shown a decrease in pro-inflammatory markers and an increase in anti-inflammatory ones. Join us, and become a beacon of health, wellness, and emotional balance in today’s fast-paced world!
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