White Paper: Yoga Therapy and Pain—How Yoga Therapy Serves in Comprehensive Integrative Pain Management, and How It Can Do More

Abstract

This paper examines the role of yoga therapy in comprehensive integrative pain management (CIPM). The pain crisis is described, and how yoga therapists can contribute to its solution is explained. Yoga therapy can be an essential component of the multidisciplinary undertaking that will be required to improve patient outcomes and alter the trajectory of the global public health crisis constituted by an epidemic of poorly understood and inadequately addressed pain. Additional context and evidence are presented to document the effectiveness of yoga therapy interventions to support people living with pain. The white paper concludes by listing recommendations to providers, consumers, payers, and legislators, who together can address systemic and structural barriers to CIPM, as well as suggestions for enabling the yoga therapy profession to more fully participate in these solutions.

Systematic review protocol of yoga therapy as a modality in occupational therapy practice for adults experiencing mood disorders

“…Yoga therapy is a client-centred partnership between a therapist and a client where compassionate care, shared decision making and the development of a therapeutic alliance are essential to the process 7. The International Association of Yoga Therapists defined yoga therapy as ‘the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the teachings and practices of yoga’ 7.…”

“…For the purpose of this protocol, the authors will be using the terms yoga and yoga therapy interchangeably. The practice of yoga integrates the mind and body through coordinated breathing, movement and meditation to promote well-being; inner attention to habits that play a role in the perception of pain; self-study that enhances awareness of sensation; and a reduction in stress 5 7. Furthermore, occupational therapists (OTs) are well positioned to include yoga as a modality to benefit clients experiencing mood disorders as yoga exhibits mood-enhancing components 9 10…”

“…Mood disorders impact a wide range of individuals; however, literature on yoga interventions for MHCs, including mood disorders, is underdeveloped causing an inadequate understanding of the health benefits 7 16. Ideally, yoga therapy aims to increase quality of life and well-being by reducing symptomatology related to MHCs 10.…”

“…Ideally, yoga therapy aims to increase quality of life and well-being by reducing symptomatology related to MHCs 10. However, there are gaps within the literature due to methodological limitations such as low quality and/or risk of bias, which has led to inconclusive study results regarding the use of yoga to help with MHCs 7 16 17. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, there are no systematic reviews written to examine yoga therapy as a modality in occupational therapy practice for adults experiencing mood disorder.…”

“…Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, there are no systematic reviews written to examine yoga therapy as a modality in occupational therapy practice for adults experiencing mood disorder. Therefore, the systematic review and meta-analysis proposed aim to gain further knowledge associated with the implications of yoga as an intervention to increase engagement in daily activities and enhance the quality of life of individuals living with mood disorders 7 18…”