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When done right, Yoga reduces inflammation, increases immunity, and even changes destructive behaviours that lead to cancer progression, apart from providing symptomatic relief
Yoga is a proven and effective support therapy for cancer, evidence-based studies have demonstrated. (PTI)
When Samina* received her cancer diagnosis, she took things in her stride and calmly went about doing what was needed. She was put under the knife for removal of her tumour, followed by immunotherapy and oral chemotherapy. She’d heard about the role of complementary therapies in cancer and so, she got in touch with a Yoga teacher who could help.
Within days of practising Yoga, Samina’s fatigue levels had increased and she came down with palpitations, dizziness, hot flashes and breathlessness. Investigation revealed that her Yoga teacher had been making her practice Surya Namaskar, a dynamic and highly stimulating practice.
Another cancer survivor Khushboo’s* story goes that the moment she received confirmation that she had cancer, she began looking for various alternative therapies, refusing to go in for chemotherapy or other medical treatment. She followed diet therapy, homeopathy, mantra healing, ayurveda, naturopathy, meditation and Yoga breathing practices. But within two years, her numbers were off the charts and finally, she had to be admitted to a hospital, where she spent several weeks in an ICU ward just to be saved. She was put on standard medical treatment and chemotherapy while in hospital and 10 years on, she is a cancer survivor.
Both individuals had got it wrong: one had made an incorrect choice of Yoga teacher; the other thought Yoga and alternative medicine could help ‘holistically’ to get her system back on track and no conventional treatment was required.
YOGA HELPS, BUT HOW
Yoga is a proven and effective support therapy for cancer, evidence-based studies have demonstrated. When done right — which is regularly, with the right understanding, and over a period of time — it has potential to reduce inflammation, increase immunity, and even change destructive behaviours that lead to cancer progression.
Yet, there are caveats that need to be understood when using Yoga for cancer care. Cancer treatment causes fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness and neuropathy, which can make some movements unsafe. Also, patients may have metastases, osteoporosis, and pains, which Yoga poses can aggravate. Doctors and experts that straddle both conventional treatment and Yoga therapy shared their experiences on this important subject at a recent conference.
Here are their expert opinions and practical guidance.
WHAT THE DOCTORS ORDERED
Pankaj Chaturvedi, Director ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, said: “Engage and involve a practitioner to guide you about the right Yoga for the right stage, after the treatment regimen. Avoid practising by watching YouTube or Instagram videos. Also, remember that Yoga is in no way a replacement for the current treatment that we have, which is why it has to be practised alongside. And with prescription and guidance from an expert.”
Lorenzo Cohen, Director Integrative Medicine Program at MD Andersen Cancer Centre, Houston, USA added: “Hospitals need to offer Yoga therapy to the same degree that we have other treatments in cancer care. But I use the word ‘Yoga therapy’ specifically because in medical conditions, it needs to be not just a Yoga teacher or someone with training in Yoga — it needs to be somebody with expertise in that disease and condition.”
Cautioned Dr Raghavendra Rao, Director CCRYN, Ministry of Ayush: “One of my own patients with lung cancer metastasised to the lungs — who herself is a Yoga teacher — collapsed when doing certain ‘hyperventilating’ Yoga practices. She had developed Pneumothorax. So, those who have breast metastasis that has reached the lungs, do not ask them to do hyperventilation.”
Renowned oncologist Dr Vinod Kochupillai, former Director, Head of Cancer Centre, AIIMS, and Advisory Director, Sri Sri Institute of Advanced Research added: “Yes, we do exclude certain patients in our (Yoga-related) studies, like the ones getting radiation therapy to the lung region. Or, for those with brain metastasis we don’t recommend these practices.”
According to Surgical Oncologist Dr Sunil Saini, Director, Cancer Research Institute, SRHU Dehradun: “Yoga is a great support therapy, but one has to check with the treating team of doctors because every patient is different. Further, they are different at different stages of the disease and also the timing of the treatment. Every cancer is different, too. In bone metastasis of breast cancer, for instance, they may be at risk of getting fractures or increased pain. In acute conditions, when they are feeling very ill, it may be better to take them through just relaxation practices; when they need rejuvenation, then the physical aspect can be added on. So, one has to work very closely with the treating team.”
YOGA AS THERAPY IN CANCER: SOME DOS AND DONT’S
• Consult the primary healthcare physician or the treating team before starting Yoga.
• Practice under the guidance of a Yoga therapist who specialises in cancer. Get personalised guidance.
• Avoid strenuous postures. Go for gentle, restorative Yoga.
• Use props to make yourself comfortable — thin pillows, folded sheets, a chair.
• Do not do backbends, inversions and other body-contorting poses. Surya Namaskar is not recommended because of its intensity. Avoid any fast-paced sequence.
• Pause adequately between every posture, and between every round within the posture.
• Meditation, deep relaxation and deep breathing can be used throughout.
• Avoid breath-holding or forceful breathing; focus on slow, controlled breathing.
• Wait for a week after radiation and chemotherapy as patients feel fairly sick. Blood counts fall after chemo, so wait till day 7 or 8 when they increase again and only then practise specialised techniques. In case of surgery, physical exercises should be started after a month.
• Patients need to understand their capacity and not stretch the body beyond what feels comfortable.
• Avoid overcrowded spaces as there is a risk of infections and so, avoid group settings.
• Avoid practising in high temperatures, and also avoid practices that seem to ‘heat’ up the system.
• Stay hydrated. Don’t practice on an empty stomach, but also wait for two hours after eating..
*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
The author is a journalist, cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher. She can be reached at swatikamal@gmail.com.
