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Yoga Treats High Blood Pressure
A
staggering fifty million people in the United States have high blood
pressure, putting them at a greater risk for having a heart attack or
stroke and a greater risk for developing heart and kidney diseases which
can culminate in the failure in the functioning of these vital organs.
Doctors
often prescribe medications to lower blood pressure to a healthy level
for patients. However many of these medications also have side effects
that have to be discussed between doctor and patient when determining
which medications should be prescribed.
Consuming
healthy foods and exercising regularly are also recommended for lowering
blood pressure. More and more Americans, concerned about the long term
use of certain medications have sought out other ways to lower unhealthy
blood pressure and possibly eliminate the need for medications or to at
last reduce the amount of medication needed to keep blood pressure in
check.
More than
fifty percent of Americans report that they have used prayer and mind
and body techniques such as meditation and yoga to help them in treating
depression, stress, high blood pressure and other conditions as well as
for spiritual, emotional, and physical health reasons. And the results
they have experienced using these alternatives to medication is getting
a lot of attention, especially from doctors and other health experts.
Doctors and
health experts are very encouraged by the growing evidence of the health
benefits of yoga in effectively treating many of the conditions that
have until recently been thought of as treatable through medications.
Doctors are discovering that patients with high blood pressure who
engage in regular yoga sessions can lower blood pressure as much as
thirty points. Such a drop in elevated blood pressure can take away the
need for medications for a number of patients and reduce the dosage
amount and duration that medication will need to be taken for many
others.
This is
good news for those of us with high blood pressure who are concerned
about the negative affects that can occur with the use of medications
and especially when used for any length of time. With the price of
medications rising to unprecedented levels, the reduction in the amount
and duration a medication to lower blood pressure may be needed is good
news for those who cannot afford to pay rising medication costs.
Evidence is emerging that shows yoga offers many other health and
fitness benefits and that almost anyone can safely use yoga, provided
they have had the proper guidance and instruction on performing the
various movements involved.
There are
yoga centers in nearly every major city and they are also popping up
more and more in smaller, rural and suburban cities. Even if your
community does not have a yoga center, you are sure to find yoga classes
being offered through gyms and often included in the programs offered by
community recreational departments. You can also find superbly written
and illustrated books and high quality DVDs on not only the history and
concepts of yoga but that also detail the different movements and
exercises of yoga that you can do in your own home to improve your
health. The internet is the easiest way to find a variety of vendors and
the widest selections in yoga educational materials and workout
accessories for personal use. Fitness trainers who want to introduce
clients to the health and fitness benefits of yoga will also find the
internet the easiest way to find the materials and accessories you need
for your training studio and to offer clients.
If you
suffer from high blood pressure or another medical condition it is
important to discuss your options for treating your condition with your
doctor. However you may find that yoga treats your condition well enough
that your doctor will be comfortable in not having to prescribe
medication to lower your blood pressure.
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