Yoga in Healthcare Settings

Yoga has become increasingly popular in recent years as a complementary therapy for a variety of health conditions. From stress and anxiety to chronic pain and cardiovascular disease, the benefits of yoga for both physical and mental health are widely recognized by healthcare providers and patients alike.

So, what is it about yoga that makes it such a valuable tool in healthcare? And how can we integrate yoga into mainstream medical settings to improve patient outcomes? Let's take a closer look at the research on yoga in healthcare and explore some practical tips for incorporating yoga into patient care.

The Science of Yoga in Healthcare

There is a growing body of research demonstrating the benefits of yoga for a variety of health conditions. For example, a review of 35 randomized controlled trials found that yoga was effective in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (Cramer et al., 2013). Another study found that a 12-week yoga program improved cardiovascular health in patients with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors for heart disease (Innes et al., 2010).

Other studies have found that yoga can be beneficial for chronic pain, cancer-related symptoms, and sleep disorders (Bower et al., 2012; Carson et al., 2013; Khalsa et al., 2016). Additionally, yoga has been shown to improve balance and mobility in older adults, which can help prevent falls and injuries (Rolland et al., 2016).

One reason why yoga may be effective in improving health outcomes is its ability to address both physical and mental aspects of health. Yoga combines movement, breathwork, and mindfulness and other elements, which can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve cardiovascular health, and promote overall wellbeing.

Integrating Yoga into Patient Care

Given the growing evidence of yoga's benefits for health, many healthcare providers are beginning to integrate yoga into patient care. Here are some tips for incorporating yoga into your healthcare practice:

1. Screen patients for yoga suitability: Before recommending yoga to a patient, it's important to assess their physical and mental health to determine whether yoga is appropriate for their condition. Some conditions may require modifications to traditional yoga poses or require more specialized yoga practices (this works best with yoga therapy - get in touch here).

2. Partner with certified, insured and trusted yoga professionals: It's important to work with yoga professionals who are trained to work with patients with specific health conditions. Partnering with local yoga studios or community organizations can provide opportunities to connect with qualified yoga therapist/instructors.

3. Provide patient education: Educating patients on the benefits of yoga and how it can help manage their specific health condition can increase patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans. Informing that it is not for everybody and like everything else; being mindful of adverse effects that may arise in some cases.

4. Offer group classes: Group yoga classes can provide a sense of community and social support, which can be beneficial for patients with chronic conditions. Additionally, group classes can be more cost-effective and accessible than one-on-one sessions.

5. Monitor patient progress: Regular monitoring of patient progress can help healthcare providers track the effectiveness of yoga as a complementary therapy and make adjustments to treatment plans as needed.

Incorporating yoga into patient care can help improve patient outcomes and provide a holistic approach to healthcare. By partnering with trusted and certified yoga professionals, providing patient education, and offering group classes, healthcare providers can help their patients achieve better physical and mental health and thus enhance total wellbeing and care experience.

The growing body of research on yoga in healthcare highlights the benefits of this practice for both physical and mental health. By integrating yoga into patient care through mindful partnering, offering group classes, and providing patient education, healthcare providers can help their patients (and staff) achieve better health outcomes and improve overall sense wellbeing.

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For more information about integrating yoga in your settings, please get in touch HERE.

If you are a healthcare professionals with regular yoga practice and wants to learn more about teaching and incorporating yoga in your profession, read about yoga teacher training HERE.

As with all research papers, please consider research bias. Many papers under report adverse effects and do not provide enough information on adverse reaction in research.

About the Author

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References:

Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Langhorst, J., & Dobos, G. (2013). Yoga for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Depression and Anxiety, 30(11), 1068-1083. doi: 10.1002/da.22166 Innes, K. E., Bourguignon, C., & Taylor, A. G. (2010). Risk indices associated with the insulin resistance syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and possible protection with yoga: A systematic review. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 23(3), 291-307. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2010.03.090114

Bower, J. E., Garet, D., Sternlieb, B., Ganz, P. A., Irwin, M. R., Olmstead, R., . . . Cole, S. W. (2012). Yoga for persistent fatigue in breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Cancer, 118(15), 3766-3775. doi: 10.1002/cncr.26702 Carson, J. W., Carson, K. M., Porter, L. S., Keefe, F. J., Seewaldt, V. L., & Shaw, H. (2013). Yoga of awareness program for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors: Results from a randomized trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 21(10), 2935-2945. doi: 10.1007/s00520-013-1846-1

Khalsa, S. B. S., Hickey-Schultz, L., Cohen, D., Steiner, N., & Cope, S. (2016). Evaluation of the mental health benefits of yoga in a secondary school: A preliminary randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 43(1), 4-16. doi: 10.1007/s11414-014-9435-1

Rolland, Y., Pillard, F., Klapouszczak, A., Reynish, E., Thomas, D., Andrieu, S., & Rivière, D. (2016). Exercise program for nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease: A 1-year randomized, controlled trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 64(1), 55-62. doi: 10.1111/jgs.13842