Yoga to cure psychosomatic disorders

What are Psychosomatic Disorders?

When mental factors such as anxiety or stress bring about a physical disease, or make an existing one even worse, it is referred to as a psychosomatic disorder. Sometimes extreme psychological, emotional or mental stress may have a physiological effect on the body, leading to a psychosomatic illness.

Such disorders include gastro-intestinal disturbances, respiratory ailments, cardio-vascular disorders, hypertension, genito-urinary disorders, endocrine disorders, migraine and tension headaches, skin problems and sexual dysfunction.

For example, a person undergoing severe stress may have chest pains when there is no evidence of any actual physical problem. Or another person may suffer from breathlessness brought on by anxiety or a stressful situation.

Psychosomatic disorder treatment: Medical experts often treat such psychosomatic problems with a combination of psychotherapy and drug therapy. Yoga however, has been found to be particularly useful in relieving and curing such ailments.

Health Benefits of Yoga in Treating Psychosomatic Illness

Psychosomatic disorders arise from high levels of stress and anxiety. Yoga is especially helpful because the yoga poses are scientifically designed in such a way as to relieve stress and bring about physical as well as mental and emotional balance.

• Yoga helps to strengthen and tone the muscles, internal organs and glands. This makes them stronger, improves their function, and promotes good health. This cures many chronic diseases, which in turn helps mental and emotional well-being, thus enabling an individual to handle stress better.
• Most psychosomatic illnesses are caused by strain, stress, anxiety, frustration, anger and other emotional imbalances. These can be tackled through the yoga postures which require concentration and meditation. The stretching and breathing techniques relax the muscles, leading to a release of stress from the body and mind.
• The stretching provided by the yoga exercises also helps to improve the circulation of blood, and the muscle tone of the blood vessels. This aids removal of toxins from the body, which in turn promotes a healthy state of mind.
• The deep breathing exercises of pranayama also contribute to better health because they increase the levels of oxygen in the blood and help remove carbon dioxide. Respiratory diseases like tuberculosis, asthma, bronchitis and cough can also be relieved.
• Many of the yoga poses strengthen the nervous system, making the nerves stronger and improving willpower and powers of concentration, which in turn helps better mental and emotional health.
• Since yoga therapy strengthens the body as well as the mind, an individual is better equipped to tackle emotional stress and thus find a cure for psychosomatic problems.