Yoga for Parkinson

What is Parkinson’s?

According to Mayo Clinic’s Official Website – Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms start gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.

Since the severity of Parkinson’s is different for different people hence the disease signs and symptoms can be different for everyone. Early signs may be mild and even mostly go unnoticed.

Parkinson’s signs and symptoms may include:

• Tremor – A tremor, or shaking, usually begins in a limb, most often through your hand or fingers. You may find yourself rubbing your thumb and forefinger back and forth, also generally known as a pill-rolling tremor. Some of us may also find our hand may tremble when it’s at rest.
• Slowing down of movements – Over some time, Parkinson’s disease may slow down your movements, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming for you. For Example – Your steps may become shorter when you walk or it may be difficult for you to get out of a chair. some may also feel like you may be dragging your feet as you try to walk on a day-to-day basis.
• Rigid muscles – Muscle stiffness may occur in any part of your body. The stiff muscles can be painful and limit your range of motion.
  Impaired posture and balance. Your posture may become stooped, or you may have balance problems as a result of Parkinson’s disease.
• Loss of automatic movements. You may have a decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling, or swinging your arms when you walk.
• Speech changes – You may speak softly, quickly, slur, or hesitate before talking. Your speech may be more of a monotone rather than have the usual inflections.
• Writing changes – It may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.

CAUSES:
– Most people with PD are described as having idiopathic PD (cause unknown)
– There are far less common causes
– Head trauma (Boxer’s disease)
– Genetic
– Toxins
– Drug-induced PD
– Postencephalitic PD – due to a viral infection

Diagnosis: PET scan shows decreased dopamine activity in basal ganglia – a pattern which
aids in the diagnosis of PD
– Typically diagnosis is based on medical history, neurological examination conducted by
interviewing and observing the patient in person using the UNITED PD SCALE.

Treatment :
– It is a chronic disorder that requires broad-based management including
– patient and family education
– Support group services
– General wellness maintenance
– Physiotherapy
– Exercise
– Nutrition
– Yoga
– At present, there is no cure for PD but medications or surgery can provide relief from
symptoms.

Physical therapy:
– Helpful in PD
– Speech therapy & occupational therapy may promote function and independence
– Also may help maintain skills, positive attitude and minimize depression

ROLE OF YOGA IN Parkinson:
– Yoga is balance – samatvam – so IAYT corrects imbalances
– Next focus is on stress relaxation
– It also helps in pain relief
– Medication reduction
– Improved balance
– Maintain muscle tone
– Flexibility improvement
– Improved posture and gait
– Improves quality of life.

What is Yoga?

According to Bhagwad Gita Equanimity, Stability, Balance, Harmony, Equipoise is yoga i.e. Samatvam Yoga Ucchyate.

According to Sage Vashistha, yoga is the skill to calm down the mind i.e. Manah Prasanna up ayah yoga.

And according to Great Sage Maharishi Patanjali yoga is the cessation of mental modifications i.e. Yoga is to gain mastery over modifications of Mind.

According to Guruji Shubham Barwala Ji, yoga is the recognition of Mental Modifications the moment they arise in our consciousness.

According to Guruji Neeraj Medharthi, Ji Yoga is the state of perfect balance.

Yoga for Parkinson

Evidence-based Yoga Therapy or Yoga for Parkinson

At Vedamrita our purpose is to bring the best and scientific research and evidence-based yoga therapy to our beloved readers and our students likewise and thereby increasing the general acceptability of Yoga therapy amidst the field of various treatments available.

Below are a few research papers we find out related to Yoga and Parkinson’s.

Development and validation of a yoga module for Parkinson disease

January 2017

Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine 14(3)
DOI:10.1515/jam-2015-0112
Authors:
Noopur Kakde
Kashinath Metri
Central University of Rajasthan
Shivarama Varambally
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences
Raghuram Nagaratna

Effect of Yoga on Motor Function in People with Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study
May 2012
DOI:10.4172/2157-7595.1000112
Authors:
Yvonne Colgrove
University of Kansas
Neena Sharma
Patricia M Kluding
University of Kansas Medical Center
Debra Potter

Panch Kosha Based Yoga Therapy or Yoga for Parkinson

Yogic Diet – Yoga for Parkinson

• Eat on time. Chew food properly.
• Sattvic home-cooked meals.
• Eat whole grains, vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy products, and protein-rich foods.
• Increase the intake of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables. Include high-fiber foods such as vegetables, cooked peas, and beans (legumes).
• Choose foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
  Keep the body well hydrated.
• Avoid processed and refined foods. Try to avoid nerve stimulants such as tea, coffee, alcohol, dark chocolate.

Asanas – 11 Yoga Poses or Yoga for Parkinson

• Mountain Pose
• Upward Salute
• Standing Forward Bend
• Tree Pose
• Locust Pose
• Child’s Pose
• Reclining Bound Angle
• Loosening Practices
• Forward Bending
• Backward Bending
• Shoulderstand

Kriyas – Yoga for Parkinson

• Jala neti/sutra neti
• Vaman
• LSP
• Kapalabhati

Pranayama – Yoga for Parkinson

• Do Cooling Pranayama
• Kapalbhati
• Nadishuddhi
• Bhramari
• Sectional breathing
• Ujjayi

Manomaya Kosha – Yoga for Parkinson

• Yoga Nindra
• Bhajan
• Chanting
• Emotional Counseling
• Prayer
• Mind Sound Resonance Technique (M.S.R.T.)

Vijnanamaya Kosha – Yoga for Parkinson

• Counseling about the disease, triggering factors, diet

Anandamaya Kosha – Yoga for Parkinson

• Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Spend time with family and loved ones.

Explore this Health Topic to learn more about Yoga for Parkinson’s, the role of yoga and yoga therapy for various diseases, and where to find more information regarding it.

Read in detail about Yoga for Parkinson’s here.