Yoga may aid stroke recovery

We tend to think of yoga as exercise for youthful, limber folks. A new study from Indianapolis suggests it may also help older stroke survivors improve their balance and become more active.

Thanks to medical advances in detecting and treating stroke, the risk of dying from one is lower now than it used to be. Unfortunately, many stroke survivors are left with a disability. In fact, stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States.

A stroke (or “brain attack”) occurs when part of the brain stops getting the steady supply of oxygen-rich blood it needs. This can happen because of a blockage in a vessel supplying blood to the brain, or because a blood vessel in the brain breaks. Either way, the shut-off damages fragile brain tissue.

The effect of the damage depends on what part of the brain is affected. A stroke can interfere with speech, cause memory problems, or affect the movement of the arms or legs on one side of the body. Stroke also can lead to difficulty with balance and increase the risk of falls.

After a stroke, one goal of rehabilitation is to limit long-term disability. Rehabilitation programs include physical therapists to help improve strength, balance and movement, occupational therapists to work on skills need for daily living and work, and other professionals. Starting rehabilitation soon after a stroke can help improve function.

The new research from Indianapolis, which was published online in the journal Stroke, suggests that adding yoga to stroke rehabilitation may improve recovery. Yoga is a combination of poses, breathing, and meditation.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/yoga-may-aid-stroke-recovery-201207285073