Yoga\'s Benefits for Someone With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a serious medical condition that affects "between 1 and 2% of the world's population." (Lee 21) Several theories on how to best treat the disease have been bantered about for years. Many, unsatisfied with the results of conventional treatment, [i.e. medication, surgery, joint protection] (Lee 127) have turned to a more holistic and proactive approach to treat their aliment -- yoga.

Rheumatoid Arthritis manifests itself as an "abnormality in the body's immune system that causes inflammation of the joints." (Horstman 240) Most often the "hands, wrists, feet, knees, ankles, shoulders, neck, jaw and elbows are affected." (Horstman 240)

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a difficult disease to manage because the symptoms wax and wane." (Lee 143) This is an extremely painful condition that can lead to permanent joint damage, severely restricting ones movement over time. (Payne 108)

Given the nature of the condition, a person suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis would benefit from a consistent (daily) program for health management designed to increase joint mobility and build muscle strength; yoga is such a therapy.

Yoga is an ancient system of mental, physical, and spiritual training." (Horstman 100) Several types of Yoga exist but the type best suited for Rheumatoid Arthritis is "the form called Hatha Yoga." (Horstman 100) Hatha Yoga is described as a "system of gentle stretches and balancing exercises that balance energy and provide low impact, full body conditioning" (Horstman 100)

The emphasis in Hatha Yoga is to allow a person to become in tune with his/or her entire body by using a series of "carefully crafted postures (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama)." (Horstman 100) the practitioner becomes aware of how his/or her body responds to certain movements and learns to increase their level of comfort and relaxation through specific breathing patterns.

Hatha is especially beneficial to those afflicted with Rheumatoid Arthritis because "arthritis has everything to do with movement" (Payne 106) Many Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers are in so much pain that they "curtail their movements" (Payne 107) causing the joints in question to become stiff because of non-use. This in turn adds to the pain already experienced because of the inflammation. The pain is often times too intense to do "conventional" exercise, where jarring or thrusting motions are the norm.

By incorporating the fluid movements associated with the Hatha discipline into their daily routine, a Rheumatoid Arthritis patient might be able to add additional flexibility to joints with out doing further damage to the areas and/or inflicting undo pain.

Hatha Yoga therapy is also of assistance to stem the deterioration of the muscles surrounding the joints that are affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis. The exercises are designed to build lean, flexible muscles and burn fat, (which in some cases may contribute to excess pressure being placed upon the joints.)