Medical Yoga for Fatigue/Exhaustion

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As fatigue can be a symptom of various diseases, treatment depends on the condition causing the fatigue. Medical Yoga can function as a good supplement to other treatment from the healthcare system. Research shows that people who experience persistent fatigue can experience relief with the help of yoga, meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy.

 

Professor Are Holen at the Department of Neuromedicine at NTNU refers to the latest research findings that deal with yoga, where one of the findings is the perceived quality of life in people with serious illnesses. Some studies have also documented changes in biomarkers linked to infectious conditions in the body in people who practice yoga. These markers indicate a reduction in infection, especially in those who have been practicing yoga for a long time. Holen notes that yoga can affect inflammatory conditions, although not all studies agree on this. It has been shown that yoga can reduce the stress hormone cortisol, which indicates a decrease in stress levels. This is important for the immune system, as high levels of cortisol can suppress its function.

Furthermore, studies have shown that yoga practice can be positive for people who suffer from fatigue or chronic fatigue. Although the condition is not cured, it may become easier to manage the disease. Yoga has also been shown to improve sleep quality, as it reduces stress levels and makes it easier to fall asleep. Some studies have also shown that they experience fewer physical symptoms related to their psychological problems when they practice yoga.

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Medical Yoga for fatigue involves calm and slow movements, breathing techniques, relaxation and meditation. In addition, an introduction is given on how to mentally deal with brooding and worry.