Yoga for Osteoporosis: The Complete Guide

by Loren Fishman MD, Ellen Saltonstall MD

Overview

A comprehensive, user-friendly medical yoga program designed for the management and prevention of osteoporosis, with more than four hundred illustrations.

Osteoporosis leads to painful fractures due to loss of bone mass; yoga strengthens bones without endangering joints: it stands to reason that yoga is the perfect therapy for osteoporosis. Forty-four million Americans suffer from low bone mass, and osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually. Drugs and surgeries can alleviate pain, but study after study has shown that exercise is the best treatment, specifically low-impact, bone-strengthening exercises—hence, yoga.

In this comprehensive and thoroughly illustrated guide, Loren Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall, who between them have seven decades of clinical experience, help readers understand osteoporosis and give a spectrum of exercises for beginners and experts. Classical yoga poses, as well as physiologically sound adapted poses, are presented with easy-to-follow instructions and photographs. The authors welcome readers of all ages and levels of experience into the healing and strengthening practice of yoga.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393334852
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	03/29/2010
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	314,815
Product dimensions:	7.12(w) x 9.24(h) x 0.72(d)

About the Author

Loren Fishman, MD, is a professor at Columbia Medical School and the medical director of Manhattan Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. A pioneer in integrative medicine and author of four books highlighting the medical potential of yoga, he lives in New York City.

Ellen Saltonstall is a certified Anusara Yoga instructor and licensed massage therapist who lives in New York City.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations ix

Acknowledgments xi

Authors' Note xiii

Introduction 3

Chapter 1 The Facts 5

Chapter 2 Bones 21

Chapter 3 Factors That Affect Bones 32

Chapter 4 Medications for Osteoporosis 46

Chapter 5 Exercise 53

Chapter 6 A Wollf in Yoga Clothing 59

Chapter 7 Yoga Stands Apart 69

Chapter 8 Before You Start 78

Chapter 9 Poses That Focus on Bone Strength 95

Chapter 10 Poses That Focus on Muscle Strength 154

Chapter 11 Poses That Focus on Balance 215

Afterword 291

Alphabetical List of Poses 293

Poses by Chapter 295

Glossary 297

Notes 305

Resources 317