Yogic breathing shows promise as a treatment for symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A small, preliminary study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison revealed that Sudarshan Kriya Yoga, a method of controlled breathing, relieves hyper-arousal of the autonomic nervous system that characterizes PTSD.
The autonomic nervous system controls our heart beat and other functions in response to our environment.
Controlled breathing exercises stimulate and balance the nervous system, helping people relax and reach a state of calm. Tranquil nerves more effectively orchestrate the body’s many processes. Vital messages are swiftly delivered from one system to another; the entire body benefits.
Sudarshan Kriya Yoga was chosen for the research study since it was effective in helping tsunami survivors cope with symptoms of PTSD. Twenty-one veterans participated in the study—eleven were in the active group and ten in a control group. The active group received a seven day training in the Sudarshan Kriya technique and experienced reductions in breathing rate, anxiety level, and number of symptoms.
The symptoms of PTSD include debilitating flashbacks, extreme anxiety, nightmares, personality changes, and hyper-vigilance. It is as if the body’s natural fear response gets stuck in the “on” position so the traumatic experience remains present even after the triggering event has passed.
Of the veterans returning from the Middle East, more than 20 percent may have life disrupting PTSD symptoms, and every day at least 22 veterans end their own life. Since current medications and therapies help some individuals and not others, any safe and effective symptom relief tool, such as controlled breathing, is welcome on the list of PTSD treatment options.
People can also develop PTSD after traumatic accidents, natural disasters, severe illness, or being the victim of violence. Sudarshan Kriya Yoga may help these individuals as well.
“Because some veterans are not interested in talking about their trauma or taking medications, there is a need for new programs that can offer relief from PTSD symptoms,” said researcher Maria Steenkamp, Ph.D. “There are also no negative side effects with this breathing technique, so this type of program could potentially be helpful to all PTSD survivors, not just vets.”
The researchers hope to build on the initial study using a larger participant group.
Source: Science Daily
Photo credit: Denise Jesudason - flickr
