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Yoga Helps Veterans with PTSD
By Matt Booth
We have all by now heard of Yoga; many of us have tried it and maybe even enjoy it regularly. Its popularity has grown over the years in the US. Yoga Alliance claims that Yoga grew in popularity by 63.8% between 2010 and 2021. We have known there are benefits from this type of stretching such as longer hamstrings and a healthier body. But amazingly, health benefits beyond being more flexible are being reported by the psychiatric medical community. Preliminary studies of Yoga and mind-body practices in veterans with PTSD have shown a decrease in PTSD symptoms, cortisol levels, and a positive increase in other mental health markers.
Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, best-selling author of The Body Keeps the Score and expert therapist on PTSD, says “A steady yoga practice for a traumatized person is more effective than any medication that anybody has studied and yoga overall, statistically speaking, in the long reach has more beneficial effects than medications.” Wow! This is amazing. He is not suggesting anyone go off medication, he prescribes medication himself. But he is claiming, based on long-term studies, Yoga’s effects are beneficial for our moods and mental health to a serious degree.
If we can believe this exciting and powerful research Yoga needs to be more of a priority for PTSD patients. What would that take? It can be a challenge to start and stick with Yoga or any workout routine for that matter. A few tips to keep a regular practice: find a Yoga partner,someone who meets you at the Yoga class and helps you stay committed to regular practice. Alternatives to in-person classes include streaming classes online and recordings on YouTube or yoga studio websites. Beginner friendly apps such as Down Dog are available for a low monthly subscription. Also, the cost of equipment is very low. All you need is clothing you can move in and a Yoga mat, which you can buy for as little as $12 on Amazon.
Hopefully, with this new science Yoga will become part of more peoples’ everyday life, but especially PTSD patients. Simple changes can be powerful for mental health and creating a weekly yoga practice can be one of those.
Cushing RE, Braun KL. Mind-Body Therapy for Military Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review. J Altern Complement Med. 2018 Feb;24(2):106-114. doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0176. Epub 2017 Sep 7. PMID: 28880607.
Zaccari B, Callahan ML, Storzbach D, McFarlane N, Hudson R, Loftis JM. Yoga for veterans with PTSD: Cognitive functioning, mental health, and salivary cortisol. Psychol Trauma. 2020 Nov;12(8):913-917. doi: 10.1037/tra0000909. Epub 2020 Aug 10. PMID: 32772534; PMCID: PMC7880235.
Chopin SM, Sheerin CM, Meyer BL. Yoga for warriors: An intervention for veterans with comorbid chronic pain and PTSD. Psychol Trauma. 2020 Nov;12(8):888-896. doi: 10.1037/tra0000649. Epub 2020 Jul 23. PMID: 32700935; PMCID: PMC7909482.
By Matt Booth
We have all by now heard of Yoga; many of us have tried it and maybe even enjoy it regularly. Its popularity has grown over the years in the US. Yoga Alliance claims that Yoga grew in popularity by 63.8% between 2010 and 2021. We have known there are benefits from this type of stretching such as longer hamstrings and a healthier body. But amazingly, health benefits beyond being more flexible are being reported by the psychiatric medical community. Preliminary studies of Yoga and mind-body practices in veterans with PTSD have shown a decrease in PTSD symptoms, cortisol levels, and a positive increase in other mental health markers.
Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, best-selling author of The Body Keeps the Score and expert therapist on PTSD, says “A steady yoga practice for a traumatized person is more effective than any medication that anybody has studied and yoga overall, statistically speaking, in the long reach has more beneficial effects than medications.” Wow! This is amazing. He is not suggesting anyone go off medication, he prescribes medication himself. But he is claiming, based on long-term studies, Yoga’s effects are beneficial for our moods and mental health to a serious degree.
If we can believe this exciting and powerful research Yoga needs to be more of a priority for PTSD patients. What would that take? It can be a challenge to start and stick with Yoga or any workout routine for that matter. A few tips to keep a regular practice: find a Yoga partner,someone who meets you at the Yoga class and helps you stay committed to regular practice. Alternatives to in-person classes include streaming classes online and recordings on YouTube or yoga studio websites. Beginner friendly apps such as Down Dog are available for a low monthly subscription. Also, the cost of equipment is very low. All you need is clothing you can move in and a Yoga mat, which you can buy for as little as $12 on Amazon.
Hopefully, with this new science Yoga will become part of more peoples’ everyday life, but especially PTSD patients. Simple changes can be powerful for mental health and creating a weekly yoga practice can be one of those.
Cushing RE, Braun KL. Mind-Body Therapy for Military Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review. J Altern Complement Med. 2018 Feb;24(2):106-114. doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0176. Epub 2017 Sep 7. PMID: 28880607.
Zaccari B, Callahan ML, Storzbach D, McFarlane N, Hudson R, Loftis JM. Yoga for veterans with PTSD: Cognitive functioning, mental health, and salivary cortisol. Psychol Trauma. 2020 Nov;12(8):913-917. doi: 10.1037/tra0000909. Epub 2020 Aug 10. PMID: 32772534; PMCID: PMC7880235.
Chopin SM, Sheerin CM, Meyer BL. Yoga for warriors: An intervention for veterans with comorbid chronic pain and PTSD. Psychol Trauma. 2020 Nov;12(8):888-896. doi: 10.1037/tra0000649. Epub 2020 Jul 23. PMID: 32700935; PMCID: PMC7909482.
