Chronic pain is pain that lasts for more than six months and can interfere with quality of life and the ability to perform at work or home. Western medicine frequently prescribes pain relief for chronic pain, including a potentially risky opioid, rather than addressing causes or involving the patient in taking control of their bodies to assist in their own recovery or resolution of pain.
The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) released a White Paper on "Yoga Therapy and Pain." It focuses on the fact that there is a misunderstanding on the focus for finding a pain management solution. The opioid crisis is a symptom of a broken system that failed to recognize that pain is multifaceted and that a more comprehensive approach is needed. When care plans provide a way for pain patients to manage themselves long term, it is more beneficial than taking a pill. Effective care uses a comprehensive approach. According to the White Paper, comprehensive, integrative pain management includes “biomedical, psychosocial, complementary health, and spiritual care. It is person-centered and focuses on maximizing function and wellness. Care plans are developed through a shared decision-making model that reflects the available evidence regarding optimal clinical practice and the person's goals and values.”
Yoga therapy reconnects the mind and body so those suffering from chronic pain can become more aware of how they hold the pain and how they may release it. Yoga has been shown to improve pain and may be beneficial to add to a comprehensive, integrative pain management plan. Studies also show that yoga offers various paths to relieving muscle tension, focusing and slowing breathing, decreasing reactivity, and promoting calming the mind. Since pain negatively affects the mind-body connection, yoga is useful in restoring this balance. SAM Sather, a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT), works with individuals with chronic pain and trains yoga teachers on how to safely guide clients through a carefully chosen practice. She teaches a class in gentle yoga focused on improving mobility in joints and reducing pain.
Joint Freeing Yoga is offered on Wednesdays and Fridays 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 pm. On Demand Joint Freeing Yoga is also offered weekly with a variety of focuses. Click on the link HERE to sign-up and go to the ‘Classes’ tab. You will need to sign in to your Mindbody account or create a new one. For more information about On Demand classes, visit our website page HERE.
On Demand Line Up:
Click on the link here to sign-up and go to the ‘Classes’ tab. You will need to sign in to your Mindbody account or create a new one. For more information about On Demand classes, visit our website page HERE or email us at info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com.