Yoga Therapy for Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. Jean Danford
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in our study had difficulty correcting their posture by themselves, few actually had permanent changes in their spine… The changes we saw tended to involve muscles and joints becoming stuck in the wrong position – like bent knees or a tilted pelvis. This suggests that people may benefit from non-surgical interventions like physiotherapy.
In MS the issue may be more one of steadiness and balance.
In yoga, asana practice can go a long way in helping towards better posture and increased awareness to help strengthen the core muscles, proprioception and balance, thus avoiding the aches and pains that come with poor posture.
There are other therapies that may help. It is acknowledged that some complementary therapies are helpful for Parkinson’s – aromatherapy, reflexology, massage, chiropractic, osteopathy and physiotherapy, Conductive Education, as well as walking and swimming are all ways of staying active and stimulated.
Supporting Annamaya with diet
The digestive system in both Parkinson’s and MS can become sluggish as the muscular action of the gut is affected, which can cause poor absorption and constipation. Moving and stretching can help with this.
Diet and Parkinson’s
Proteins can interfere with the way Levodopa is used by the body, so it is essential that dietary recommendations are followed, at the same time getting all the nutritional elements needed for health. The Parkinson’s UK booklet on diet refers to research where people reduced the amount of daytime protein they ate to improve their response to Levodopa, which can help some people. A protein redistribution diet is sometimes suggested where most protein is eaten in the evening.
It is important, however, to keep eating protein as it is an essential part of nutrition, and is vital to help the body to renew itself and fight infection. Reducing protein may cause dangerous weight loss. Following general guidelines for keeping weight steady, eating plenty of fibre, fruit and vegetables, and drinking adequate amounts of water are all advised.
Diet and multiple sclerosis
According to the MS Trust:
Whether it is possible to influence multiple sclerosis through diet and dietary supplements is a controversial topic. There is much information available in books, magazines and on the web, much of it contradictory. Opinions range from denying any evidence of benefit to suggesting that MS can effectively be cured by particular diets.
It goes on to suggest that, for many people with MS, managing what they eat offers the possibility of a sense of control in dealing with their condition. Poor diet and nutrition can also worsen existing symptoms such as fatigue and weakness. Awareness of diet also offers the opportunity to promote general health and wellbeing, which may be even more important following a diagnosis of MS.
It seems that fats and vitamin D have a part to play, although it remains a controversial subject, with many conflicting views and research, but exploring for yourself what diet works best for you would be an important way of supporting Annamaya.
Pranamaya kosha, the energy body
Breathing exercises and Pranayama
If there is no energy to draw on, we get pulled into a negative spiral: no energy – no motivation – begin to feel weak – can’t engage in activity – feel self-conscious and lack confidence – life becomes limited and the whole cycle starts again. If the lungs aren’t functioning well, nor is the heart or the circulation, and we become even more depleted in energy. Breathing practices not only bring improvement to the health of these organs but will also lift overall energy levels and improve mental outlook. However physically limited one might be, working with the breath is always possible.
Other activities such as singing are helpful to focus on controlling the breath and to keep lungs healthy.
Manomaya kosha, the mental body
Mind/emotions: deep relaxation, Pratyahara, yoga nidra, visualisation, affirmation, and meditation help in staying positive and keeping calm
A diagnosis of Parkinson’s or MS may bring with it depression. Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and low self-worth may follow. Meditation practices can begin to re-set expectations and bring a quality of aliveness that is felt when we ‘live in the moment’. At this level of being we are able to use yoga practices to find balance, and to move towards positive thinking and deal with negative thoughts and fears.
Anxiety is commonly found in people with Parkinson’s and MS, and yoga offers many practices to change this; breathing, relaxation and meditation can all help to re-balance the nervous system and implement positive changes.
If you are working one-to-one, you may be able to provide a resource by just listening. When the medical regime presents problems, and medication is not working as expected, people with Parkinson’s will often feel angry and frustrated. These are feelings that may spill over into their family circle, or that they want to hide from the people who care for them, in order not to burden them further. At such times, someone outside of their caring team who has no other involvement may be those to whom it is safe to express these emotions – expression is healthier than repression.
Vijnanamaya kosha, the wisdom body
Wisdom and function of the higher mind and intellect
When we are open to learning, and able to reflect on life, lessons are learned and positive changes can be made. We might find inspiration in many places. When life brings challenges, we have an opportunity to review what works and what doesn’t. Day-to-day living itself will be a challenge for many with Parkinson’s or neurological problems, but if we remove the filters of fear and depression, there may be many helpful things to learn. In the yoga tradition many would turn to the ancient texts of the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali’s Sutras for guidance. There are equivalents in other traditions, but it may be that we are inspired by friends, health workers, classmates, internet forums, educational films as well as many other sources.
Keeping an open mind is essential.
Anandamaya kosha, the ‘bliss body’
Finding inspiration, remembering to play, finding the ah! moments
Connecting with a part of yourself that takes you into a different realm, where you can experience spiritual connection and upliftment, is profound and beautiful. Rather than stumbling across these moments, we can actively seek them. Finding beauty and awe links us to a part of our being that is fulfilling like no other. Watch the sea, see the sunset, look at the stars, sit in a cathedral – lift out of the everyday.
It is essential that first and foremost we offer yoga within the guidance of Patanjali and Ahimsa (non-violence), working with compassion and understanding.
How Patanjali’s Sutras guide the therapeutic approach
Patanjali’s Sutras offer an underpinning of philosophy for therapeutic yoga. In Sutra 1.2, Chitta vrtti nirodhah, restraint of the modifications of the mind, Patanjali infers that the unadulterated mind state is pure and clear. Our thoughts – all of them – are disturbances. To bring them into a peaceful state is a challenge for even the healthiest individual. How much more challenging then when Parkinson’s or MS is diagnosed.
Even the word ‘yoga’ has a definition of unity, and implies balance, harmonising the body and mind, inner and outer. Yoga is all about changing the world within, bringing new perspectives. Rather than enlightenment being a saintly state of bliss, we can gain some kind of liberation by freeing ourselves from fear and limitations imposed by our own thinking and beliefs. Reconnecting with the true self, and understanding who, how and what that is brings a very different viewpoint of life, one that is not conditional on the physical state. And when we are in balance, follow Sutra 1.3, Tada drasthu svarupe vasthanam, then the self/seer abides in its own nature. This leads to self-realisation.
However, we are not in a calm, balanced, clear place most of the time. We are pulled and pushed by the activities of the mind and in a reactive state of being. Patanjali goes on to describe these modifications, the vrtti, some of which bring suffering and some joy. In order to find balance, Patanjali urges practice.