Downward Dog And Sleep Apnea
If not treated properly, sleep apnea can cause health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, psychological disorders, and more. There are multiple treatments for sleep apnea, however, that can promote a healthier lifestyle and keep these conditions at bay. One of them is exercise.
Relaxing Exercise For A Better Sleep
We all know by now that a regular workout routine contributes to the improvement and maintenance of overall health. Some types of exercises are more beneficial for people who struggle with sleep disorders, like workout practices that target breathing and relaxation.
For sleep apnea in particular, yoga is a great alternative. Most of the people who practice yoga agree that, among the many benefits of its regular practice, better sleep quality stands out. This type of physical activity provides a wide range of options that vary on levels of difficulty and intensity, which makes it possible for everyone to practice it. In short, yoga acts as an effective sleep aid when combined with therapy.
Yoga Complements Sleep Apnea Therapy
Breathing blockage during a sleep apnea episode can happen for multiple reasons, such as genetic neck structure, excess fat, poorly developed throat muscles, sleeping position, and more. Once we discover the reasons behind your condition, you can compliment your therapy with yoga postures that target the strengthening, toning, and opening of the muscles in your upper airway.
Yoga focuses on breathing, and you can learn how to breathe correctly into your diaphragm through the common breathing and mindfulness exercises. The more you practice these breathing techniques, the more you’ll be able to notice patterns, making it possible to even carry your practice over into sleep.
In addition to breathing control, a regular yoga routine promotes relaxation, and in many cases the compression of the airway during sleep may be caused by stiffness in the neck, shoulders and back, which yoga helps alleviate.
At Holsinger & Higgins, we recognize that a better quality of sleep requires understanding the individual conditions that caused the issues in the first place. We help sleep apnea patients in the Denton, MD area improve their quality of life through with solutions tailored to their needs. Please contact our office if you would like more information on sleep apnea treatments.
