Pranayama is practiced by many in India for health and longevity. Even though it’s considered an alternative form of healing, the benefits are well studied. Western healthcare providers are slow to incorporate alternative therapies into their practice, though many are proven and supported.
Two years ago, Dr. Patricia Uber, speaking at the Heart Failure Society of America 2006 Scientific Sessions, urged heart failure specialists to consider other options for their patients. She suggested prayer, poetry and Pranayama. Her comments that "breath resynchronization therapy" be incorporated into the "armamentarium" of heart-failure therapies were met with applause and approval during the session.
Dr. Uber went on to explain how the breath becomes out of synch with blood pressure waves as heart failure progresses. She cited small studies proving that pranayamic breathing, reciting poetry and performing yoga mantras can restore synchronicity of breath. Exercises that slow breathing improve the function of baroreceptors - nerve endings that regulate blood pressure and heart rate. Improvements in blood pressure can be as effective as medications with regular practice.
Dr. Uber urged health practitioners to “start looking at things that can reduce blood pressure that maybe can reduce neurohormones, that don't have to involve a device but can involve simple practice, such as going to church and the relief you may get from praying, or learning yoga mantras and deep-breathing techniques. These things don't cost much beyond the initial instruction that may actually improve the heart-failure state. As healthcare practitioners, we have to start addressing complementary medicine, even as a preventive method to reduce stress, blood pressure, and heart rate to prevent hypertension and heart failure later on. We'd really be crazy to just keep stacking on neurohormonal antagonism and devices without looking at the mind-body connection."
The message is that there are alternative practices that we all can employ to enjoy better health – pranayama is one suggestion - we know it works. The benefits extend to everyone, not just to those with heart failure. Pranayama has helped cancer patients deal with pain, as well as assisting breast cancer survivors following surgery. Consider the value of the mind-body connection in your daily activities. Better health comes from a variety of activities. ◦
Very informative information.
ReplyDeleteThis hunk of alternative medicine is played up in India as the greatest approach to health since sliced bread. For some reason it hasn't been given the time of day in the U.S. I wonder why.
ReplyDeleteJack,
ReplyDeleteYou are correct. Naybe the claims are far too encompassing. We have found a way to use slow breathing for blood pressure control with the Resperate machine. There are a lot of studies supporting meditation and relaxation for health benefits. Fortunately, more and more physicians are taking a look at the whole patient, but it seems it might be rare to find one who adds this sort of therapy to their patient's medical regimen.
I'd love some responses from healthcare providers about whether they would consider pranayama as a treatment option.
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Hi, its a very informative. Just now I read another blog http://cancerandpranayam.blogspot.com/ which mentions that yoga can't cure but can improve the quality of life. In that blog this statement has been established using neuro science and long term case studies. I can remember two of my friends died of cancer even after sincerely doing pranayama for more than 6 months. So I think, We must have some long term case studies to come to any conclusion. Most of the studies were dome for max 1 year.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. Long term studies are always beneficial, I agree.
Pranaymic breathing is not touted in Western medicine as a curative, but it can be used to improve quality of life, according to the presentation of this study.
I am sorry to hear of your friend's demise, and sincerely hope they were not told this practice would cure cancer.
Dear all,
ReplyDeleteI am a medical doctor with a Master's in Health Management and work as a Hospital Administrator. I have been practicing Yogasana and Pranayama for about an year now under the guidance of a teacher. I do Asana for about an hour and Pranayama for 20 minutes in the morning and evening. Without any reservation, I can say that my outlook has changed, less stress and more energy.
I am sure daily practice of Yogasana and Pranayama will make one more energetic and less stressed in life. I am told by my teacher that it would reduce the requirement for medicines for Diabetes and Hyper Tension control.
Dr.Joshi