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Yoga Therapy and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Whole-Person Approach to Healing.

I’m currently completing my training to become a fully qualified Yoga Therapist. As part of that journey, I chose to focus my dissertation on Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). It is a condition that affects not only the body but the whole person. Through my studies and experience, I have come to see how Yoga Therapy can offer meaningful support alongside conventional care.


RA is an autoimmune condition, which means the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, especially the lining of the joints. During a flare-up, the immune system becomes overactive and releases chemical messengers called cytokines. These trigger widespread inflammation throughout the body. This can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, fatigue, disturbed sleep, and brain fog. The body enters a constant state of alert, and that prolonged inflammatory response can affect not only the joints but also the nervous system, digestion, emotional regulation, and even the heart.


Stress and inflammation often feed each other. Stress can make symptoms worse, and living with unpredictable pain can increase stress levels. It becomes a difficult cycle that can feel overwhelming and exhausting.


Yoga Therapy offers a gentle and personalised way to support the body and mind. Sessions are based on what you need on any given day. They might include supported or chair-based movement to ease stiffness, breath practices to calm the nervous system, or guided relaxation to support rest and sleep. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. The aim is to meet you where you are and support you as a whole person.


Research suggests that yoga and mindfulness-based practices can help reduce the impact of inflammation in the body. For example, studies have shown that mindfulness can reduce levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), all of which are commonly elevated during RA flares (Bower & Irwin, 2016). These changes may support the immune system in becoming more balanced over time.


Specific research into yoga and RA has also found encouraging results. A study on an eight-week yoga-based lifestyle intervention for people living with RA reported significant improvements in pain, physical functioning, and overall quality of life (Gautam et al., 2019). This suggests that even gentle, regular practices can make a noticeable difference in day-to-day wellbeing.


Breathwork and meditation also play an important role. These practices help shift the nervous system out of the stress response and into a more relaxed, healing state. Research shows that mindfulness can reduce activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s fight-or-flight response, and instead support the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes rest and repair (Pascoe et al., 2017).


You do not need to be flexible or experienced to benefit from Yoga Therapy. You just need to be open to trying something that supports your wellbeing on multiple levels. Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with RA for years, Yoga Therapy can help you reconnect with your body in a way that feels kind, supportive, and empowering.


Disclaimer: Yoga Therapy is designed to support overall wellbeing and can be a valuable complement to conventional medical care. It is not a replacement for medical treatment or advice. If you are living with a condition such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, it is important to continue working with your healthcare team. Always consult your doctor or specialist before starting any new movement or therapeutic programme, especially during periods of flare or change in your condition.


If you would like to find out more or explore whether Yoga or Yoga Therapy might be right for you, I would be happy to talk.


Naomi Hurst



References


Bower, J. E., & Irwin, M. R. (2016). Mind–body therapies and control of inflammatory biology: A descriptive review. Brain, Behaviour, and Immunity, 51, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2015.06.012


Gautam, S., Kumar, M., Kumar, U., Dada, R., & Sharma, M. (2019). Effect of an eight-week yoga-based lifestyle intervention on quality of life and pain in rheumatoid arthritis. International Journal of Yoga, 12(1), 35–40. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_65_17


Pascoe, M. C., Thompson, D. R., Jenkins, Z. M., & Ski, C. F. (2017). Mindfulness mediates the physiological markers of stress: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 95, 156–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.08.004


 
 
 

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