Can Bikram Yoga help treat shingles?
Shingles is a nasty skin rash caused by a virus known as varicella-zoster. Though not dangerous, shingles can be very painful as well as unpleasant to look at. The best way to reduce your risk of shingles is with a vaccine, but this is not foolproof either. Early treatment can also reduce the infection and decrease the risk of any further complications or scarring.
While there is no direct link between yoga and the treatment of shingles, many believe that it can be beneficial. Shingles are usually aggravated by stress and tension. Since yoga is a well-known stress reduction tool, regular practice can only be advantageous. The deep breathing exercises and meditation practices of traditional yoga helps calm the mind and body and helps create a stress-free environment which encourages healing. Keep in mind though that yoga won’t help treat the rash but it may stop it from getting worse.
Coming back to the type of yoga practiced, most experts suggest a slower or a gentler yoga class rather than a strenuous one such as Power, Ashtanga yoga or Bikram yoga. A bout of excessive perspiration, inevitable when practicing Bikram yoga, can irritate the rash and slow down the healing process.
Submitted by A V on February 27, 2013 at 06:14
Find Pose