Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and Yoga Nidra
Hypertension and its
complications are a leading cause of death in modern societies. To date, anti hypertensive drug therapy has been the only effective form of management.
Unfortunately, the drug regimes available are by no means ideal. They cause
major side effects in many patients, risk of dangerous consequences and a
shortened life span. In this light, the emergence of Yoga Nidra relaxations a
safe, effective and inexpensive treatment for mild to moderate hypertension is
most encouraging both for doctor and the community at large.
The effectiveness of Yoga Nidra
in lowering the elevated blood pressure levels of hypertensive patients has
been validated in numerous clinical studies. The practice is now widely prescribed
by doctors in several countries.
Yoga Nidra therapy adopted either
alone or an adjunct therapy, has been found to reduce systolic readings (SBP)
by an average of 15-20 mm Hg and diastolic readings (DBP) by 10 mm Hg. This
will generally happened after 3 week of daily guided practice of yoga Nidra. As
a result newly diagnosed and asymptomatic hypertensive are now frequently capable
of restoring their blood pressure to acceptable limit without having to resort
to antihypertensive drugs and medications, whole side effects, such as sleep
disturbance, depression and male impotency, can be severe and disabling enough
to preclude their use.
Recent Studies
Recent study conducted at the
standford University School of medicine (USA) demonstrated that the drop in
blood pressure induced by daily Yoga Nidra practice has a far reaching effect,
extending throughout the day and is not merely a transient effect coincide with
the practice session.
Another controlled study, which
was conducted at the Langley Porter Neuropsychiatric Institute in California,
found that reductions in blood pressure and anxiety levels in hypertensive
patients continued for 12 months after Yoga Nidra training.
In one of the most significant
investigations thus far, a team of researcher from the Department of
Cardiology, K.E.M. Hospital Mumbai, led by Dr. K.K.Datey, evaluated the effect
of relaxation practice on hypertension. The patients were taught the
preliminary form of Yoga Nidra.
The majority of patients showed
definite symptomatic improvement after 3 weeks’ training. Headache, giddiness,
nervousness, irritability and insomnia disappeared in almost everyone.
Significant decrease in blood pressure was obtained in 52% of patients.
The researchers concluded that
this therapy opens a new avenue in the management of hypertension. Full study
is also available.