You may have noticed a change in attitudes to health-related issues over the past five years. Many bookstores are selling thousands of self-help related books, books that argue that traditional eastern practices such as meditation, reiki, tai-chi and yoga are essential to having a healthy lifestyle. We will look at yoga in greater detail, especially focussing on why osteopaths recommend yoga for people who are suffering from chronic pain.

But what exactly is yoga, and how does it work? Yoga is a traditional Indian practice that is over 5000 years old. In Sanskrit, the word yoga means to join, unite, or integrate, and it there aims to integrate all the parts of the individual - body with mind and mind with soul. To achieve this unity, we must balance our emotions, actions, and intelligence ” and this is where yoga comes in.

Through a combination of body postures (or asanas) and breathing exercises (or pranayama), yoga aims to help us reach our maximum potential and to improve our quality of life. Yoga isnt a completely spiritual practice either: many westerners are using this technique as a way to centre themselves, relax, and ease their pain. Yoga might still be rooted in spirituality, but anyone can learn it if they are willing, because regardless of each persons reason for practicing yoga, the general outcome is the same: it makes you feel better.

Let us now look at yoga in more detail, in terms of what it does for the body, and why so many osteopaths recommend it:

Yoga gets you into shape and boosts your stamina. It tones your muscles, and makes them stronger and more flexible.

Each pose in yoga improves circulation, sending blood to all the areas that need it most.

It cleanses the body from unwanted toxins, purifies your abdominal systems, and stimulates the immune system.

Chronic conditions that do not respond to conventional medicine have been known to improve because of yoga

It helps treat and prevent the ailments that osteopaths deal with on a daily basis, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, epilepsy, heart disease, back pain, multiple sclerosis, and many others.

Yoga also has various psychological benefits. It improves your concentration, making it easier to stay focused during your day-to-day activities. The breathing techniques help reduce anxiety and ensure that you become less stressed. And, if yoga is done regularly, you should start noticing changes in your mood, energy levels, and overall sense of well-being.

Osteopaths say it, the books say it, and Indian Yogis have said it for thousands of years: yoga makes you feel better. So regardless of whether you are suffering from chronic back pain, or are simply stressed and overworked, yoga is a practice you might want to look in to.