Effectiveness of yoga in cancer patients
As we all know, cancer and its treatment create many psychological challenges in the lives of patients, which not only affect the physical health of these people, but also affect the mental and emotional health of patients.
In recent years, experts have gained a lot of knowledge about the effect of yoga on cancer and people who have defeated this disease.
In fact, yoga and meditation are not methods that can fight cancer, but research results have shown that yoga can greatly reduce some of the side effects associated with types of cancer and its treatments.
Mind and body connection in yoga:
Yoga is one of the ancient sports and methods that originated in India. In yoga exercises, an attempt is made to combine physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or concentration exercises.
The purpose of doing yoga is to cultivate self-awareness, the balance of body, mind and spirit and ultimately improve the overall conditions of individual life; By combining and emphasizing the connection between breathing and movement, yoga reduces stress, anxiety and fatigue caused by the disease in cancer patients and provides a comprehensive approach to cancer care.
Yoga and Cancer-Related Fatigue:
One of the most common side effects of cancer and related treatments is chronic fatigue, which can include physical, emotional, or mental fatigue, and this feeling significantly affects the daily life of patients.
Research conducted around this sport has shown that regular yoga practice can help reduce fatigue caused by cancer; In a study conducted on breast cancer patients, it was found that yoga has the ability to significantly reduce fatigue during and after cancer treatment.
Benefits of yoga in cancer prevention and treatment
The countless benefits of yoga on improving body health are undeniable; Here are some of the most important benefits of yoga in the prevention and treatment of cancer:
1- Improving the quality of sleep
Sleep disorder is one of the common problems of cancer patients, which often originates from stress and side effects of treatment; It has been found that yoga is very useful and effective in improving the quality of sleep in cancer patients.
Studies conducted on this ancient sport show that regular yoga, which includes stretching, breathing exercises, and meditation, will reduce insomnia and improve sleep quality in cancer patients.
2- Anxiety management before surgery
The period leading up to cancer surgery can be full of anxiety and distress and ultimately affect the results of the surgery and recovery; Yoga and meditation have been able to show their effects and benefits in reducing discomfort before surgery and improving surgical results.
In a research article that compared two different groups of patients who underwent breast cancer surgery, it was found that those who practiced yoga before surgery were hospitalized for a shorter period of time and their healing and recovery process was faster. has been passed
3- Reducing depression and anxiety
Cancer and the diagnosis of this disease often cause feelings of depression, anxiety and general distress. According to experts, yoga has a positive effect on the mental health of patients and relieves most of the mental and emotional challenges of these people.
A social study shows that yoga in cancer patients can lead to recovery and reduction of negativity, mental distress, depression, anxiety and promotion of self-esteem and psychological well-being; Yoga can also be effective on the physical health of patients.
4- Increasing bone strength and flexibility
Certain types of cancer and their treatments can make bones weak and brittle; In the meantime, yoga, with its mild yet effective physical postures, can help strengthen bones and prevent joint pain.
Many of the movements used in yoga are exercises that are based on people’s weight and will not put extra pressure on them.
Movements that are performed in a standing position strengthen the bones of the legs, pelvis and spine; Movements whose postures are mostly on the hands and knees will be very useful for strengthening the bones of the arms.
In addition, yoga poses strengthen the body’s alignment, which leads to improved and strengthened spine, flexibility and overall body comfort.
5- strengthening the immune system
The lymphatic system is one of the vital components of the body’s immune system, which plays a very important role in detoxification and disease prevention; Yoga can help to strengthen this very important system of the body by facilitating the movement of lymphatic fluid by performing movements and being in certain positions.
Some yoga movements, especially those in which the arms are raised, facilitate the drainage and flow of lymph fluid from the arms.
The role of yoga and meditation in muscle strength and flexibility
Yoga is a sport that includes a wide range of postures and movements from mild to severe; Most of the restorative movements and postures focus on injecting relaxation and involving the parasympathetic nervous system of the patients, and on the other hand, most of the yoga movements are performed in a stationary and active state, which leads to improving muscle strength and strengthening it.
Regular practice of yoga will be very beneficial for cancer patients and will help to solve the challenges related to wounds and scars caused by surgery, side effects of treatment, improve their range of motion and flexibility.
Active yoga movements require a very high concentration and in order for people to stay in that particular position, it is necessary to engage several muscles at the same time, which leads to the improvement and strengthening of cardiovascular strength.
Starting yoga during cancer
If cancer patients plan to use yoga as part of their treatment, it is important to consult with their oncologist to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for them.
To begin with, yoga movements should be done slowly and gently so that how to do them correctly can be learned over time; Because no person knows from the beginning how yoga is done.
Currently, many cancer treatment centers hold yoga classes for their patients and also provide these people with many information sources to learn this sport.
Using meditation as a supplement to yoga during cancer
While yoga and meditation have different characteristics and methods, if these methods are combined, they can be a good complement to each other and to the patient.
Integrating these two methods can increase the role of yoga on cancer and the positive effects of each method and will also improve the overall result.
Yoga and meditation can support each other in different ways and strengthen each other’s effects; Yoga prepares the body for meditation by releasing physical tension and promoting relaxation.
The physical postures and breathing control techniques of yoga help calm the mind and create a sense of inner peace; This state of relaxation and relaxation of the body, which is obtained through yoga, provides a platform for doing meditation and enjoying its benefits.
Combination of yoga and meditation techniques on cancer patients
To effectively combine yoga and meditation, it is essential that mindfulness exercises are also used during yoga exercises; This can be done by focusing on body sensations and movements during yoga practice and creating a strong mind-body connection.
Performing continuous exercises and focusing on the depth and number of breaths during all movements can help improve mental awareness. In addition, meditation exercises after yoga during cancer can help control energy after exercise and create a sense of relaxation in people.
Therefore, by including meditation along with yoga, you can double the effects and benefits of this exercise, including reducing stress, improving concentration, and emotional well-being.
The effect of yoga on breast cancer
Breast cancer, which has become a common disease in women and affects millions of people around the world every day; Despite the fact that many advances in diagnosis and treatment have led to an improvement in the survival rate of this cancer, many breast cancer patients and survivors still experience unfavorable quality of life and psychological distress.
Here, yoga is used as a popular adjunctive therapy for breast cancer-related disorders. Researchers believe that people who are being treated for breast cancer or even those who have completed their treatment can benefit from gentle yoga.
Breast cancer patients and survivors can consider yoga and meditation as a complementary treatment for their symptoms.
Experts recommend gentle exercises, especially yoga, in all stages of breast cancer, including before, during and after treatment.
A patient who has undergone mastectomy may have disorders in the function of the arm and shoulder, which some yoga movements can aggravate these problems; Therefore, training under the supervision of an expert yoga instructor meets the needs of these patients, and this instructor can recommend suitable postures for the patients’ conditions and improve the function of the organs.
Also, if the patient develops lymphedema after the surgery, it is better to consult with your doctor or physiotherapist about safe and useful yoga exercises during cancer.
Possible risks of yoga in cancer patients
Exercising in general and yoga in particular is done for the effect of yoga on cancer and reducing the symptoms of cancer. Therefore, this activity should not cause additional damage and complications in cancer patients.
Breast cancer patients should avoid all movements that put pressure on the shoulders, chest or arms; Two possible and common risks of yoga for cancer patients include:
Lymphedema:
Strenuous yoga poses may increase the risk of lymphedema for people who have had their lymph nodes removed during breast cancer surgery.
Lymphedema occurs due to excess fluid produced by these movements and may affect the legs and arms. Therefore, breast cancer patients should practice with a yoga instructor who has experience working with cancer patients and knows what movements and postures are suitable for these people.
Fracture:
People whose breast cancer has spread a lot and metastasized to other organs, especially bones, are exposed to bone fractures during yoga exercises.
For this reason, it is necessary for patients to consult their doctor before starting this exercise to ensure the safety of yoga during cancer treatment.
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