YOGA FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
About yoga for Multiple Sclerosis
Yoga, meditation and mindfulness can help sufferers cope with the stress of living with multiple sclerosis, and associated depression.
That's because these practices can work on the hyper vigilant, fight or flight, sympathetic nervous system, redressing the balance so that the parasympathetic nervous system can prevail – calming and restoring, lowering the heart rate and blood pressure, and enabling the possibility of relaxation.
Clinical studies have pointed to these practices as a helpful treatment for multiple sclerosis; aiding symptom management; reducing the severity of muscular contractions and releasing tight connective tissue. Balance may also be improved, along with stamina and walking speed.
What the clinical studies say
Yoga
- Improves balance
- Improves quality of life
- Improves walking speed and endurance
- Reduces fatigue
- Alleviates depression
- Improved symptom management
- Improves quality of life
- Reduces fatigue
The clinical studies
Yoga
Randomized controlled trial of yoga and exercise in multiple sclerosis
The Effects of a Yoga Intervention on Balance, Speed and Endurance of Walking, Fatigue and Quality of Life in People with Multiple Sclerosis
Influence of sports climbing and yoga on spasticity, cognitive function, mood and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis
Mindfulness
MS quality of life, depression, and fatigue improve after mindfulness training. A randomized trial
Mindfulness of movement as a coping strategy in multiple sclerosis: A pilot study