The 21st INCOFYRA- International conference of Yoga Frontiers and its applications
The 4 day conference was held from Jan 3rd to 7th and this time the topic was “Integration of complementary medicine- Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Sidha, Homeopathy into Modern Medicine”- taking the best of east and best of western Medicine for Human wellness.
Several talks by eminent Scientists, Researchers, Super speciality Doctors, Yoga Gurus, Ayurvedic researchers , etc were held in these 4 days and there was so much info load on various topics .
Four main lifestyle diseases –Hypertension, Diabetes, Mental illness, Cancer were discussed in detail and it was shocking to hear that India tops in the list for being the mostly affected by these killers. Dedicated scientists in all fields all over the world are putting their valuable time for the control, awareness and the cure of these lifestyle diseases by taking the best of Western medicine in combo with ancient Medicines. There were many success stories on the trials and it was heartening to see these people are devoting their whole life for human welfare.
Integrating Yoga into Cancer care
One of the most interesting topic by Dr. Lorenzo Cohen, Professor and Director of the Integrative Medicine program in MD Anderson Cancer care, University of Texas.Yoga, a mind body practice has a profound effect on people with cancer of all stages as well as on Cancer survivors. Some of the interesting points that I was able to grasp in this talk are as follows:
Studies were done by dividing people with cancer into three groups-
1. Yoga was taught to them twice a week or once a week along with Drug/chemo therapy(YO gp)
2. Physical exercise/ stretches along with treatment(PA gp)
3. Only chemotherapy and drug therapy(CONTROL)
• Yoga significantly reduced the fatigue compared to the PA and CONTROL. Better sleep efficiency with the practice of Yoga .
• Physical functioning of organs, which usually deteriorates during cancer, was seen to have improved in Yoga group. While there was no change in the other groups.
• The stress hormone- Cortisol which is in a higher amount in Cancer patients was shown to have reduced after three months of Yoga. No significant change in other groups.
• OM and other Mantra chanting improved Cognitive functions which was seen after one month of Yoga practice itself.
• Improved sleep quality in Yoga group lead to improved function in inflammatory pathways.
• Rapid cell production was significantly found to be reduced in Yoga group . This indicates better survival rate with Yoga group.
• Persistent fatigue in cancer survivors by doing special yogic relaxation was observed which lead to mood elevation and less depression in survivors.
• Yoga minimized the side effects of the drugs and the general stamina was shown to have improved. There were studies showing decrease in infections, less gastro intestinal issues.
• The pain tolerance of Cancer patients was higher in Yoga group as they were taught deep relaxation techniques followed by resolution to strengthen the will and confidence.
• Terminal cases were taught meditation and some special Yogic techniques that elevated their mood, confidence, strength and acceptance to face death and gain better emotional stability. No such changes were seen in PA group.
• There was higher decrease in the lymphocyte count as compared to other groups after chemotherapy. Again showing better survival rate.
Conventional treatment without any doubt enhance the survival rate but they are met with serous side effects, poorer quality of life, fatigue, side effects, agony. Adding Yoga as an active intervention helps the patient to have a different attitude and reduced side effects with improved mood and stamina as well as a better survival rate. Quality of Life in these patients seems to have improved to a great extent. Even the family members and caregivers were taught Yoga to cope with the stress of handling the patient and there was remarkable improvement in their attitudes and confidence. They were more poised and calm.
This shows that Yoga, a science of holistic living plays a huge role in Cancer care.