Yoga: Can it be integrated with treatment of neuropathic pain?

ANNALS OF NEUROSCIENCES, 2019 · DOI: 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.260208 · Published: April 1, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Alternative Medicine Pain Management

Simple Explanation

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a debilitating condition that may result from spinal cord injury (SCI). It is caused by damaged or dysfunctional nerve fibers sending aberrant signals to pain centers in the central nervous system causing severe pain that affects daily life and routine. This review discusses mechanistic approaches of yoga that can be tested by new study designs around various nociceptive molecules including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cation-dependent chloride transporter (NKCC1) etc in SCI induced NP patients. Yogic practices could be used in managing SCI induced NP pain by regulating the action of various mechanisms and its associated molecules. Modern prescriptive treatment strategies combined with alternative approaches like yoga should be used in rehabilitation centers and clinics.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review Article

Key Findings

1
Yoga may increase pain tolerance in SCI and other patients with pain. Various studies have noted improvement in sleep, mood, and quality of life (i.e. depression, emotional function, anxiety) among cancer patients.
2
Meta-analysis of yoga practice has been suggested as a possible alternative medicine intervention for patients with physical and psychosocial symptoms.
3
Patients in SK&P were found to have lower degree of anxiety, depression, and stress as compared to the control group. This showed the effectiveness of Pranayama and SKY exercise in patients suffering from advanced stages of cancer.

Research Summary

This review aims to discuss the implications of various mechanistic approaches of yoga which can be tested by new study designs around various nociceptive molecules including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cation-dependent chloride transporter (NKCC1) etc in SCI induced NP patients. Modern prescriptive treatment strategies and reductionist therapeutic approaches, pertaining to a few or most of the systemic and psychological disorders, have various metabolic side effects. The use of yoga will help to cope these well-defined side effects and will boost the quality of health care. Overall, the simplicity and practicality of yoga practices makes it a viable therapy that should be utilized in rehabilitation centers or clinics in order to help ameliorate NP.

Practical Implications

Integrative Medicine Approach

Yoga should be considered as part of an integrative medicine approach for neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury.

Rehabilitation Centers and Clinics

Yoga practices should be utilized in rehabilitation centers and clinics to help ameliorate chronic neuropathic pain.

Further Research

New studies should examine the possible relationship of nociceptive proteins and its implications in translational approach of yogic processes in neuropathic pain.

Study Limitations

1
Methodological limitations especially with regard to choice of control group and lack of blindness.
2
Human compliance to change in diet, exercise or yoga is not easy to address.
3
The molecular aspect of yoga on various pathological conditions is not well established

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