Multiple Sclerosis and Yoga

MS attacks the myelin which is the fatty tissuetraditional aerobic exercise programs. A study by
that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. Whenthe Oregon Health and Science University done
this tissue is damaged it creates a situation whereover a period of six months showed that while no
the signals between areas of the brain and thenotable improvement in mental function was
rest of the body tend to get lost or confused.found, a marked improvement in both physical
This can result in symptoms such as tingling orhealth and quality of life was reported.
numbness of the extremities, loss of coordinationThis study was conducted not so much to see if
and movement in the limbs and slurring of speechthere was an impact on the disease itself per se,
or blurry vision. Many sufferers can find reliefas it was to see if there was recordable
from the side effects of multiple sclerosis anddifference in cognitive function, mood, fatigue
yoga can be one of the best ways to do this.levels and overall quality of life. There were many
With MS it is important to keep your body aspatients involved in the experiment who have
active as possible through the use of a goodmultiple sclerosis and yoga was found to make
regular exercise regimen. However for many whosignificant differences in all aspects of their
suffer from MS the idea of being able tophysical abilities but had little or no effect on their
undertake any form of vigorous daily exercise iscognitive skills.
not possible. One of the oldest and least physicallyWhat has been found is that through proper diet
strenuous of exercise is yoga and multipleand the regular practice of yoga an MS sufferer
sclerosis patients can perform many of the simplecan make his life much more tolerable. Proper diet
stretching and relaxing activities of a daily orand exercise can allow a MS patient to regain
weekly yoga exercise regimen.some sense of a normal life and possibly reduce
Studies have shown that exercise is important forthe amount of medications previously being
the person who suffers from multiple sclerosisneeded for some semblance of normality.
and yoga is as good if not better than many