Chair Yoga Relieves Arthritis Pain In Old People

We all know that exercise is good for our health. However, old people with osteoarthritis find it hard to do any kind of physical exercise. Now, a new study has found that 'Chair Yoga' is not only an effective alternative exercise regimen for such people but is also good as an alternative treatment to relieve arthritic pain.

Medical News Today reported that a pilot study conducted by the Florida Atlantic University found that the elderly patients with osteoarthritis who did Sit 'N' Fit Chair Yoga program experienced a greater reduction in pain and pain interference than their peers.

The research published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society was done on 131 old people who were randomly assigned either to do the Chair Yoga or participate in a health education program. It was observed that after doing chair yoga for eight weeks, the participants continued to experience less pain for about three months. The participants' fatigue was also reduced and their gait speed improved during the yoga sessions but these effects did not last for long.

Osteoarthritis is one of the common types of arthritis that ails old people. Here the sufferers experience pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints as their cartilages degrade. Doctors prescribe the use of pharmaceutical drugs to combat the situation.

The Arthritic Foundation recommends yoga as the alternative treatment for osteoarthritis but older people are unable to practice it as they are not flexible enough, do not have enough strength in muscles, and are afraid that they may fall during the yoga practice. Chair yoga is a better-fit for people of old age as they can sit or stand while holding a chair and, thus, gives them proper balance.

Medical Express reported that the interdisciplinary program involving chair yoga allowed elderly individuals to improve their physical and psychosocial functions and decrease their pain. It was found especially effective for those who were suffering from osteoarthritis in their lower extremities (such as hip, knee, ankle or foot). Those who participated in the 'Sit 'N' Fit Chair Yoga' program developed by Kristine Lee had to attend 45-minute sessions twice a week.