Yoga

Published on 22/05/2015 by admin

Filed under Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Last modified 22/04/2025

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Chapter 61 Yoga

OVERVIEW.

Yoga is an India-based system of exercises that involves breathing techniques and the assumption of various postures with the goal of achieving well-being, health, and mental and bodily control.¹

SUMMARY: CONTRAINDICATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS.

Two sources cited a total of 14 concerns for yoga. Cameron, a nurse, cited one concern, whereas Brosnan, a yoga instructor, cited 13. The largest proportion of concerns was musculoskeletal (37%). Most concerns were phrased with the term “avoid” and often related to issues of overexertion, stressing vulnerable joints, or assuming an inverted posture that could lead to breathlessness or other problems with select populations.

SUMMARY: ADVERSE EVENTS.

Vertebral artery obstruction with neurologic sequela ^2,³ and peripheral⁴ nerve injuries have been reported during yoga that either involved extreme head postures or prolonged positioning. See case descriptions below.

PROCEDURAL CONCERNS

ADVERSE EVENTS

1 Cameron ME. Yoga. In Snyder M, Lindquist R, editors: Complementary/alternative therapies in nursing, ed 4, New York: Springer, 2002.

2 Nagler W. Vertebral artery obstruction by hyperextension of the neck: report of three cases. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1973;54(5):237-240.

3 Hanus SH, Homer TD, Harter DH. Vertebral artery occlusion complicating yoga exercise. Arch Neurol. 1977;34(9):574-575.

4 Chusid J. Yoga foot drop. JAMA. 1971;217:827-828.

5 Brosnan B. Yoga for handicapped people. London: Souvenir Press, 1982.

6 Kobet KA. Retinal tear associated with gravity boot. Ann Ophthalmol. 1985;17(5):308-310.

7 Vehr PR, Plowman SA, Fernhall B. Exercise during gravity inversion: acute and chronic effects. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1988;69(11):950-954.

8 Haskvitz EM, Hanten WP. Blood pressure response to inversion traction. Phys Ther. 1986;66:1361-1364.

9 Goodman CC. The gastrointestinal system. In Goodman CC, Boissonnault WG, Fuller KS, editors: Pathology: implications for the physical therapist, ed 2, Philadelphia: Saunders, 2003.

10 Hunter T, Dubo H. Spinal fractures complicating ankylosing spondylitis. Ann Intern Med. 1978;88(4):546-569.

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