Osteo Porosis
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and loss of bone tissue that may lead to weak and fragile bones. Osteoporosis increases the risk for fractured bones (broken bones).
Peak bone density is reached at approximately 25 years of age, it is important to build strong bones by that age, so that the bones will remain strong later in life. Adequate calcium intake and exercise are essential for building strong bones.
Symptoms
Normal bone is composed of protein, collagen, and calcium, all of which give bone its strength. Bones that are affected by osteoporosis can break (fracture) with relatively minor injury that normally would not cause a bone to fracture.
The osteoporosis condition can be present without any symptoms for decades. Therefore, patients may not be aware of their osteoporosis until they suffer a painful fracture. Symptoms depend on the location of the fracture.
Causes
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Family history of osteoporosis (for example, having a mother with an Osteoporotic hip fracture doubles your risk of hip fracture)
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Personal history of fracture as an adult
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Cigarette smoking / Excessive alcohol consumption
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Lack of exercise
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Diet low in calcium
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Poor nutrition and poor general health
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Female gender / Thin and small body frames
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Malabsorption (nutrients in the bowels are not properly absorbed)
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Low estrogen levels
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Chemotherapy
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Loss of the menstrual period (amenorrhea)
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Chronic inflammation
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Immobility, such as after a stroke or any condition that interferes with walking
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Hyperthyroidism (excessive thyroid hormone)
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Hyperparathyroidism (excessive parathyroid hormone production causes too much calcium to be removed from the bone)
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Vitamin D deficiency (vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium)
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Certain medications can cause osteoporosis such as long-term use of heparin (a blood thinner).
Yogic Therapy - A Robust Cure
The goal of osteoporosis treatment is the prevention of bone fractures by stopping bone loss and by increasing bone density and strength. Although early detection and timely treatment of osteoporosis can substantially decrease the risk of future fracture.
Decreasing the risk of falls, probably because balance is improved and/or muscle strength is increased. Research has not yet precisely determined what type or duration of exercise is best for osteoporosis. Nevertheless, most doctors recommend weight-bearing exercise, such as walking etc.
Medical Yoga Therapy addresses all these problems in this sequence:
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Medical Yoga Therapy helps to transfer available calcium in the blood to the bones and maintain its deposition in the bones, which strengthen the bones and reduces the vulnerability to the fractures.
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Calcium and potassium are stored in the bones for two reasons. 1) To provide calcium for muscular contraction 2). To give strength to bone. This sequence helps to achieve long term muscular contraction, which increases the demand of calcium in the muscles. Due to the practice of these asanas the bones start storing that calcium which is demanded by the muscles.
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This sequence also helps in addressing the demand of calcium in specific regions. For example if osteo porosis is connected to osteo arthritis then the therapy can help to increase the strength of knee cartilage by improving calcium deposition there.
Sequence of Asanas
A special sequence comprising of asanas like Padangushtha Asana, Vakara asana, Ansachalan, Ashavasan, Urdhava Badha Asana, Shava Asana is designed. Props are appropriately used to make the 'Saadhaka' comfortable and gain from the posture. The asanas are aimed at relieving the pain and strengthening the area to cure the ailment.
As patients suffer from pain and restricted motion, the asanas and therapies are done differently with use of props and belts to ease the poses and provide maximum benefit to the patients. These therapies should only be performed under an expert guidance to avoid any complications.
