YOGA’S ROLE IN REHABILITATION

YOGA’S ROLE IN REHABILITATION

Physical therapists have the advanced education and training in human anatomy, human physiology, and the movement sciences. They are uniquely qualified to assess and identifies deviations from the normal movement and changes in the physical performance which are developed as a result of an illness.  The underlying causes of movement dysfunction are vast and involve an interruption of the delicate interaction between the musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardio-respiratory systems of the body.

Yoga is totally different from the conventional medicine in its approach to the injury. Rather than an attempt to isolate the cause of injury to a single factor and to correct it using a specific cure. Yoga aims to treat the injury by working with the body’s natural healing systems and also improves health on all the levels. Asanas, or the yoga movements, relaxing and strengthening of muscles and massages all the internal organs; pranayama, or focused breathing, delivers an oxygenated blood to injured areas; and relaxation and meditation calms the mind and reduces pain in the form of tension.

Yoga asanas strengthens muscles and helps to make bones healthier. It invigorates organs, helping to keep the body free from several diseases by strengthening the immune system. In addition, the smooth, repetitive movement of yoga increases the circulation and lung capacity drain the lymphatic system and stimulate glands. Specific asanas can be modified to treat a variety of injuries with the health affirming effects of gentle, repetitive motion. For many decades, inactivity was the solution for most injuries. Now, as we better understand how the body heals, we have learned to support the natural healing process with gentle movements.

The addition of yoga practices to the comprehensive list of treatment options available to the physical therapist provides a creative and enjoyable approach to the treatment of a wide variety of musculature and neurological conditions.