August 13th, 2019

Medical Yoga Therapy

Many people today live high stress unhealthy lives. This stress often means working long hours, eating processed and fast foods, not getting adequate exercise or sleep which leads to many health care problems and disease. Lack of management of stress and self care often lead to heart disease and other diseases like cancer, diabetes, liver disease, lung disease, and suicide. The leading cause of death in the U.S. to date is heart disease. 

The purpose of yoga therapy in management of heart disease and other disease process is to teach the participant to learn to manage their stress with breathing exercises, progressive relaxation, postures (stretching), meditation, and visualization. Yoga therapy has been shown to reduce glucose levels, reduce depression and anxiety, keep the cardiovascular system in tune and have many psychological benefits. 

Yoga therapy is one element of four in the Ornish Reversal Program which is a noninvasive intensive cardiac rehab program. In conjunction with nutrition, proper exercise, and love and support, yoga therapy is useful in not only improving but reversing heart disease.Through the study of epigenetics (the blueprint of our genes and how they express themselves) we now know that lifestyle and stress management play a huge role in the health and well being of an individual long term. 

In conclusion reversal of heart disease through the four element approach of exercise, nutrition, stress management through yoga therapy and love and support has been proven by Dr. Dean Ornish . The Ornish program is covered by Medicare and many other insurance companies.  This saves hundreds of thousands of dollars in health care cost and improves the quality of life for the individual. The Ornish program is expanding in the United States and at this time there are several more clinics looking to open in Arkansas. 
Saline Heart Group, under the guidance of Dr. Allan Hatch, is expanding the Ornish program to more individuals. Anyone can participate in the program with a referral if they qualify under the guidelines. There is no need to change physicians to participate in this program. 

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