World Physical Therapy Conference Presentation on Restorative Yoga for Rehabilitation
Purpose: The purpose of this report is to illuminate the potentially broad and potent clinical application and indications/contraindications of restorative yoga. The most commonly used postures will be illustrated, along with cues to facilitate relaxation of physical and mental tension, breath work and functional movements that can be practiced in the postures. Relevance: As Yoga´s popularity increases, many physical therapists are asking the question: "Is yoga an effective rehabilitation tool?" Since restorative yoga postures are very gentle and can be performed (with assistance) by anyone (including people with cervical spinal cord injuries, brain injuries or limb-loss), this is a yoga style that potentially has broad clinical application. Description: In restorative yoga, props (e.g., bolsters, blankets, pillows, towels, belts) are used to support the body in comfortable postures that provide a gentle, low-load, prolonged stretch. This “supportive environment” combined with verbal and tactile cues facilitates improvements in breathing patterns and consistently elicits a relaxation response, thereby reducing muscle tension and pain. Evaluation: The authors have found the techniques clinically potent for increasing flexibility, decreasing anxiety, reducing pain and enhancing function in a broad sample of patients throughout the rehabilitation spectrum. These patients have included people with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations, chronic pain syndromes including fibromyalgia and orthopedic conditions. Conclusions: Although the current research is not definitive, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that yoga appears to be an effective intervention for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, burns, stroke, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain syndromes including low back pain and repetitive strain injuries. Since restorative yoga is very gentle, it has a potentially broad clinical application that should be experimentally validated.
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