Yoga and COPD

In a recent publication of The Journal of Thoracic Disease, researchers performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy of yoga training in COPD patients.

Five randomized controlled trials involving 233 patients with COPD were studied.  The researchers found that yoga training lasting 3-9 months significantly improved the FEV1 and exercise capacity but had no effect on blood oxygenation or carbon dioxide levels.

Yoga originated in ancient India.  The idea is that the body’s organs and systems are cleansed through asanas (postures) and pranayama (controlling the breath).  Postures are taught to heal an illness, reduce stress or to look better.  Not only do yogic exercises have a positive effect on COPD patients but they also help those with asthma, cardiac diseases, diabetes, depressive disorders and more.

Yoga training can provide a complementary strategy for patients with COPD.  Apart from relaxing tense muscles, yoga can also alleviate mental pressure.

The conclusion of the study was that yoga seemed to improve lung function and exercise capacity and therefore might be used as part of a pulmonary rehabilitation program for COPD patients.

Help guide your patients to live a healthier lifestyle and to incorporate healing exercise like yoga into their daily lives.  This guidance will only support your treatment plan for your patients with COPD and asthma. The incorporation of spirometry into your practice continues to be the gold standard in diagnosing and properly treating your patients easily in your office.  Join us in creating a better diagnosed and treated patient today.

For more information about our Gold Standard Pulmonary Function Test—Spirometry, visit us at www.mdspiro.com.

References:
https://mdspiro.com/spirometry
https://mdspiro.com/for-your-practice
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4073384/
J Thorac Dis. Jun 2014; 6(6): 795–802. doi:  10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2014.06.05
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