If you havepsoriasis, some days are probably better than others.
The disease causes the skin to erupt with scaly patches that can itch and burn.
On bad days,psoriasis symptomsonly get worse.
One of the major triggers for a psoriasis flare isstress, which is known tofuel inflammation.
To keep flare-ups under control, some patients turn toyoga, often described as a moving meditation.
This discipline for physical and mental well-being may calm the mind, helping ease psoriasis symptoms.
Two of the trials demonstrated psychological improvements in psoriasis patients who meditated.
What Is Yoga?
Yoga originated in India some 5,000 years ago, combining physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual elements.
As a philosophy that developed from Hindu worship, yoga met with some resistance in the Western world.
The central elements of yoga are a series of postures and breathing techniques.
She advises patients to find a quiet place where they wont be interrupted.
Ideally, you sit on the floor in a comfortable position with your legs crossed.
Lately, DeWilde has been recommending the4-7-8 Breathing Method.
Advocates of the 4-7-8 approach say that it calms the body, creating a relaxed state.
Some poses may look intimidating.
But yoga comes in all levels of difficulty, frombeginnerto advanced.
There are so many different styles of yoga.
It is designed to stretch hips, thighs, and ankles, while decreasing stress and fatigue.
Its probably a position most people could do even if they are not very physically fit, says DeWilde.
A yoga teacher or yoga therapist can help you learn to do the techniques properly.
you’re free to search for professionals in your area through theInternational Association of Yoga Therapists.
These issues can also be helped by stress-reduction techniques like yoga.
For psoriatic arthritis patients,yoga can limber up the body.
Pain levels go down as mobility rises.
Arthritis symptoms can get worse with prolonged rest of joints, says Anthony.
Yoga movements may help arthritis patients loosen up and retain some range of motion.
Other stress-reduction approaches that may have similar effects to yoga include meditation,qigong,biofeedback, andguided imagery.
We can help people with psoriasis now so much better than we could a few years ago.
On the other hand, yoga, although not a sure-fire remedy, can be cost-free.
DeWilde emphasizes that no matter how bad your psoriasis is,some form of exercise is likely to help.
I always stress the importance of physical activity, she says.
Mohiba Tareen, MD, is a nationally acclaimed board-certified dermatologist.
She practices medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology at her Minnesota medical practice, Tareen Dermatology.
Cosmetically, Tareen believes in subtle and natural aesthetic enhancements.
He has interviewed doctors and pharmaceutical representatives in the U.S. and abroad.
Rauf lives in Seattle, Washington.
