Loren Fishman & Ellen Saltonstall: Yoga for Arthritis—New Light on Progression, Prevention and Treatment

Osteoarthritis affects some 30 million people in the US alone, many of whom are forced to live with chronic pain and limited mobility.

Is osteoarthritis an inevitable part of aging, or do we have options for preventing it, or at least control over its progression? And, can yoga help prevent osteoarthritis, or are there situations where it can be a risk factor for arthritis?

In this free download, Dr. Loren Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall discuss these questions and offer insights into the progression of arthritis. Osteoarthritis used to be thought of as a condition caused by ‘wear and tear’ on the joints, but there is much more at play, Loren and Ellen says.

We now know that inflammatory processes play a large role in the gradual deterioration of joints. And this is one area where movement in general and yoga in particular can make a big difference. They discuss the mechanics of joint health and the factors that could potentially slow deterioration of cartilage.

Yoga, they note, induces some of the body's most powerful natural anti-inflammatory substances and enhances its natural means of repairing and rejuvenating tissues affected by arthritic processes.

They further discuss the issue of hypermobility and why that may at times predispose a person to arthritis. Finally, Dr. Fishman shares his experience with the different types of stem cell therapy now increasingly used as a form of regenerative medicine as an alternative to joint replacement.