Medical yoga for osteoarthritis
Movement without fear - how medical yoga can help with joint wear and tear
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide - and the trend is rising. Millions of people suffer from painful, stiff or unstable joints. But the biggest mistake with osteoarthritis is to take it easy. Because joints need movement - but the right kind. This is exactly where medical yoga comes in: gentle, gentle on the joints, individually adapted and scientifically based.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage slowly breaks down. It most commonly affects the knees, hips, hands and spine. In addition to mechanical wear and tear, inflammatory processes, lack of exercise, incorrect loading and chronic stress also play a key role in the course of the disease.
Typical symptoms are
Joint pain (especially in the morning or after rest)
Stiffness and restriction of movement
Crunching or rubbing in the joint
Insecurity or fear of movement
Medical yoga offers a gentle way to give the body back what it needs: Movement with respect.
🧘♀️ What is medical yoga?
Medical yoga combines classic yoga elements with modern principles from physiotherapy, pain research and functional movement therapy. It is not sporty yoga, but a body therapeutic approach based on mindfulness, anatomical precision and vegetative regulation.
Medical yoga is particularly suitable for people with osteoarthritis because it:
can be individually adapted (with aids, wall, chair, etc.)
does not require extreme movements
Respects pain, but promotes gentle mobility
also integrates psychosomatic aspects (e.g. fear of pain, avoidance of movement)
How does medical yoga help with osteoarthritis?
1. gentle mobilization
Movement is the best "lubricant" for joints. Medical yoga uses circular, oscillating and springy movements to promote joint metabolism without risking overloading:
Joint mobilizations while sitting or lying down
Gentle sequences with flowing transitions
Active mobility instead of passive stretching
2. strengthening of the surrounding muscles
Stable joints are pain-free joints. Medical yoga trains deep-lying muscles close to the joints, which are neglected in many everyday postures:
Isometric exercises without pressure
Strengthening in pain-free movement angles
Conscious activation through slow repetitions
3. breathing regulation and pain management
Breathing work has a vegetative balancing effect and improves blood circulation in the affected area. It also helps to perceive pain differently and reduce anxiety:
Breathing waves to relieve tense regions
Prolonged exhalation for tone regulation
Breath as an inner rhythm generator for movement
4. improvement of proprioception
Many osteoarthritis patients suffer from insecurity when moving. Medical yoga strengthens deep sensory perception, which leads to better joint control and more confidence in your own body:
Mindful postures in the one-legged stand or quadruped position
Slow transitions with a focus on joint feel
Conscious feeling of pressure, load and tension
5. self-efficacy and quality of life
Medical yoga conveys: I can do something - without overexerting myself.
This not only strengthens the joints, but also the self-image. The practice becomes a place of self-care - not of "training", but of being kind to your own body.
Who is medical yoga for osteoarthritis suitable for?
People with osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, shoulder or hands
Patients with pain-related movement restrictions
Patients after joint surgery or with prostheses
People with obesity or chronic pain
Therapists who are looking for a holistic, movement-based approach
Conclusion: Keep moving - without bending
Osteoarthritis is no reason to give up exercise - on the contrary. Medical yoga shows how those affected can regain confidence in their body and actively contribute to their own healing. Gentle mobility, stabilizing exercises and a conscious approach to pain make medical yoga a valuable tool on the way to a better quality of life - joint by joint.
Would you like to learn how to use medical yoga safely and individually for joint problems?
Then discover our training and further education courses for therapists, yoga teachers and people interested in movement.
👉 Find out more now at www.hockenholz.com