Yoga can help relieve both the pain and psychological distress suffered by patients with arthritis, according to new research.
Patients with osteoarthritis and those with rheumatoid arthritis both frequently see benefits from the activity, it found. Around 1.5million people in the UK see their GP every year about osteoarthritis, which mainly affects the knees, hips, spine and hands, while rheumatoid arthritis - which is common in hands, feet and wrists - affects more than 580,000 people.The US research, published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, involved a review of nine previous studies carried out between 2010 and June 2013.
The studies involved hundreds of patients who took up yoga and showed evidence of reductions in pain, less morning stiffness, improved physical function and reduced levels of depression. Participants performed yoga for various periods ranging from twice a day for one week to once a week for up to 16 weeks.
The authors, from the University of Cincinnati's Health Promotion and Education Program, wrote: 'By stretching the muscles, yoga can provide physical relief of symptoms around the affected joints. Yoga reduces stress which is known to exacerbate arthritis. Yoga can improve coping and by altering perspective toward life provide spiritual solace.'
Source - Daily Mail