A primary symptom ispost-exertional malaise, which is an abnormal and extreme reaction to small amounts of exercise.
For some people, it takes an incredibly small amount of exertion to trigger post-exertional malaise.
The sickest people may not be able to sit up in bed for very long.
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Some people may be able to walk a few blocks.
However, others may be able to tolerate significantly more activity.
It’s important for each person with this disease to understand and stick to their limits.
Keep in mind that research is extremely limited and that notreatmentis right for everyone.
Always check with your healthcare provider to verify any exercise regimen you attempt is safe for you.
Some poses push the limits of balance and strength.
Some forms of yoga include a lot of movement and provide a cardiovascular workout.
In the study below, researchers took all of this into account.
First, they had to design a yoga routine that would work for someone with the condition.
Researchers also wanted the regimen to help counter deconditioning while keeping it simple and easy to follow.
The yoga program they designed includedsix poses which were all done while sitting in a chair.
Patients met one-on-one with an experienced instructor.
Music, which is commonly used in yoga sessions, was not allowed due to the possibility ofnoise sensitivity.
That meant that study participants had to be carefully selected.
That means these results may not apply to more severe cases.
After the first session, two people said they felt tired.
One reported being dizzy.
However, these things were not reported after subsequent sessions and none of the participants withdrew.
Researchers say yoga appeared to significantly reduce fatigue.
Also, many participants reported feeling warmer and lighter after yoga sessions.
We can hope that more researchers use this yoga protocol or something similar to replicate the study.
If this is a regimen that can improve symptoms without triggering post-exertional malaise, it could be extremely valuable.
The intervention program consisted of:
He attended six sessions.
So what does this tell us?
It worked for one man, but that doesn’t mean it would work for everyone.
Still, it’s often cases like this that lead to further research.
And that sums up the research to date.
Mindful movement such as Qi Gong or Tai Chi are also thought to be good for MECFS patients.
Qi Gong is less strenuous than Yoga in general and is easier to adapt for different disease presentations.
What Does it Mean for ME/CFS?
We have more research on yoga for fibromyalgia, which is extremely similar to ME/CFS.
Both fibromyalgia and ME/CFS often feature abnormal cortisol function.
ME/CFS is believed to be, at least in part, neurological.
However, it’s impossible to know if the results would be the same for ME/CFS.
Getting Started With Yoga
You’ve got a lot of options when it comes to doing yoga.
However, you might also buy a video or find free ones online, or design your own routine.
No matter where you’re doing it, it’s best to proceed very slowly.
Take your cues from the Japanese research discussed above and see if those poses work for you.
Rather than making sessions longer, you might try adding a second session to your day.
