Yvonne Lané
Yoga & Cancer
certified
What is yoga for cancer patients?
Yoga for cancer patients is an evidence-based complementary treatment, that is officially recognized and recommended by oncologists. It has been proven to alleviate various physical and psychological side effects of therapy and illness and, depending on the therapy phase, gives patients new strength and energy.
RELIEF OF SIDE EFFECTS
Recent research offers recommendations to alleviate short- and long-term side effects that cancer patients face during and after treatment.
These include:
Tiredness/fatigue, bone loss, lymphedema,
hardened scar tissue, constipation, neuropathy, sleep disorders, anxiety and much more.
BENEFITS
Oncology yoga reduces pain, strengthens the immune system, increases lymph flow, range of motion, sleep quality and quantity and general well-being.
It helps restore strength and brings new energy.
Digestion, blood circulation, joint health, as well as breathing and endocrine function are improved.
The effect on a mental level is evident in the calming of anxiety and stress and an increased feeling of balance and grounding.
If cancer has been diagnosed, it is particularly important to become self-effective and to work on a physical, mental and emotional level.
MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE
& RECOMMENDATIONS
The international data based on scientific studies confirms the effect of yoga for cancer patients. Yoga has already been included in the S3 guidelines , the medical recommendation guidelines based on the highest level of evidence, by the AMWF* as a method to accompany therapy. According to the results, at least one session per week is recommended in order to experience success, several hours per week are optimal in order to achieve a sustainable and significantly higher quality of life.
The American Cancer Society and the US Department of Health and Human Services even recommend 150 - 320 minutes of physical activity per week for cancer patients (after consultation with a doctor).
In Austria, experts from the Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Medical University of Vienna among many others, also suggest of yoga due to its convincing success.
*Association of Medical-Scientific Societies
