So I am pretty certain that you reading this knows what yoga is, or you have a pretty general idea. And no, putting on a pair of yoga pants doesn’t mean “you do yoga”…if that was the case, I would have been doing yoga every single day for a veryyyyy long time. It’s what many people participate in for mindfulness, fun, and fitness, but did you know that yoga also can help with neurologic conditions?
Yoga is a series of positions, postures, and stretches that are paired with mindful breathing. Many of the people who practice yoga say they see improvements in their strength, flexibility, and state of mind/“relaxedness”. Research studies have also shown that practicing yoga can help to improve your blood pressure, lung function, and strength. Some studies even say that yoga helps improve your metabolism by increasing your muscle’s efficiency! (Okay, so maybe I should start doing yoga regularly?)
Alongside all of these benefits, yoga has also been studied in the treatment of neurologic conditions. Here’s a few things you may or may not have known regarding that:
- Epilepsy: Yoga may help reduce seizure frequency
- Stroke: Yoga may reduce risk factors like high blood pressure and may also help in recovery from stroke by improving strength and flexibility.
- Multiple Sclerosis: Yoga may improve fatigue and inattention
- Parkinson’s Disease: Yoga can help improve balance and mobility
And for all you stressed moms and dads out there: HEADACHES: Yoga has been shown to lessen frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines!
Pretty cool, right? Stay tuned for more resources on this and other helpful tips!!
She discovered her passion for the neurologic pediatric and adult population during her clinical affiliation at a special services school in Cape May, New Jersey. She is an active member of the APTA and continues to take post-graduate course work related to treatment methods for neurological diagnoses.
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