Advances in Understanding the Use of Yoga as Therapy in Lymphedema
Lymphedema may be caused by dysfunction of the lymphatic system due to damage, block, hypoplasia due to genetic causes or by lymph overload. Lymphatic Filariasis is most prevalent and among the leading causes of disability. This chapter describes the improvements in three yoga protocols of integrative treatment, for lower limb, upper limb, and genital lymphedema. There are two sessions of yoga in our treatment protocol. Yoga helps to drain lymph through various mechanisms. Asanas focus on the dermal stretch, joint movement, muscle pumps, and muscle stretch and pranayamas on lung expansion. Joint movements and muscle contractions are designed to mimic nodal drainage. The yoga protocol also provides knee strengthening, gait correction, shoulder joint strengthening. Yoga asanas for comorbidities like hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and arthritis and joint surgeries with movement restrictions are customized in the revised protocol. Yoga is an effective treatment in lymphedema and considerably improves the patient's quality of life.