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Monday, October 06, 2014

5 Ailments You Didn't Know Yoga Could Treat

Downward dog devotees swear that yoga helps them tone up and chill out—and certainly, the mind-body benefits of a regular practice have been well documented. But the ancient art of breathing paired with movement can also be a treatment for very specific health problems, both physical and emotional.

“Yoga enhances human health,” says Loren Fishman, M.D., a rehabilitation specialist and assistant clinical professor at Columbia University Medical Center, who studied yoga in India under world-famous yogi B.K.S. Iyengar and prescribes Iyengar yoga regularly to his patients. “Combinations and adaptations of poses bring different ways to confront different problems.”

Unlike medications or high-tech physical therapy, Dr. Fishman says, yoga is inexpensive and has few negative side effects. Plus, he adds, “yoga’s asana are memorable, can be practiced on your own, and are fulfilling in truly marvelous ways.” So in honor of Yoga Awareness Month, here are five common injuries, ailments, or chronic conditions for which a little “om” may help bring some relief.

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