Guest Author - Cheryl Tidball, DO

For centuries, people have been trying to understand the link between the mind and the body and whether or not the mind can actually be used to treat the body, including diseases such as asthma. One such technique that many consider to be helpful is the practice of yoga. Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years, usually being used for relaxation and meditation as well as physical disorders such as chronic back pain. Multiple anecdotal studies claim that yoga can cure or significantly improve asthma, although more tightly controlled studies have varied in their results.

There are many types of yoga techniques that are used in asthma, but in general they involve attempting to correct poor posture and breathing habits, decreasing stress and anxiety, and improving the ability to expectorate mucous. Although many studies have been done to document the effectiveness of these methods, there are no clear and consistent results. In one study published by A.B. Sabina and colleagues (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2005; 94(5):543-8), subjects with mild to moderate asthma were randomized into two groups, one that practiced breathing techniques and yoga postures, and the other group that instead practiced only stretching exercises. No significant outcome differences were found in these groups.

In another study by P.K. Vedanthan and colleagues at the Northern Colorado Allergy Asthma Clinic in Fort Collins, Colorado, adult university students with asthma were divided into two groups, a yoga and a non-yoga group. The yoga group was taught breath slowing exercises (pranayama), physical moistures (yogasanas), and meditation, which they participated in three times a week for sixteen weeks. Each group kept symptom and medication diaries, checked their peak flow readings twice a day, and had spirometry measurements performed weekly. The yoga group reported improved relaxation, better yoga exercise tolerance, and somewhat lesser usage of rescue inhalers. The spirometry measurements (pulmonary function testing) did not vary between groups.

At this point, yoga techniques may be beneficial as a complimentary addition to the medical management of asthma, but most likely will not be able to be used as an alternative to Western medical care. Asthmatics should always let their physician know before beginning any type of alternative or complimentary treatment for their condition.