Hot Yoga Benefits: Managing Chronic Pain

January 22, 2017 3:21 pm

The benefits of hot yoga are many, from increased strength to stress relief and relaxation. In this special series we’re highlighting 10 of these perks, each separately, to give you more reason than ever to get into the hot room in 2017!

 

After discovering the benefits of hot yoga when it comes to detoxification, we’re turning our attention to managing chronic pain – something many of us are interested in doing. Fortunately, there have been plenty of studies looking into this matter, beginning with one conducted in 2015 by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH).

 

NIH/NCCIH Study

 

Evidence collected from this study showed that mind-body techniques like hot yoga and meditation can counteract the brain anatomy effects of chronic pain. Researchers found that yoga practitioners possess more gray matter in multiple brain regions, including those involved in pain modulation – which can help manage chronic pain. In other words, practising hot yoga has the opposite effect on the brain as does chronic pain. Read more here.

 

Harvard Medical School Study

 

Harvard researchers found that among 313 people with chronic low back pain, a weekly yoga class increased mobility more than standard medical care for the condition. Another study published at nearly the same time found that yoga was comparable to standard exercise therapy in relieving chronic low back pain. Read more here.

 

Bangalore Institute of Oncology Study

 

With chronic pain impacting everything from our muscles to patterns of breathing, energy levels and mindset, researchers found that yoga – including meditation and pranayama, along with relaxing asanas – can help individuals deal with the emotional aspects of chronic pain, reduce anxiety and depression effectively and improve the quality of life perceived. Read more here.
There are many more studies around yoga’s positive impact on chronic pain management – a quick Google search will turn up some pretty incredible results. Next up in our series: how hot yoga can help you gain better mental concentration.

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