1) Hypertension
In patients with anxiety, there is an increased level of
catecholamine, particularly norepinephrine and epinephrine.
Patients performing transcendental meditation had stable
levels of catecholamine. This in turn regulated the sympatho-adrenenal
medulla system, resulting in stable blood pressure (Infante,
2001).
2) Insomnia
Meditation has shown to be beneficial in sleep related
problems.
3) Epilepsy
Transcendental meditation: A double-edged sword in epilepsy:
Transcendental Meditation is derived from ancient yogic
teachings. Both short- and long-term physiological correlates
of TM practice have been studied. EEG effects include increased
alpha, theta, and gamma frequencies and increased coherence
and synchrony. Neuronal hyper synchrony is a cardinal feature
of epilepsy, and subjective psychic symptoms, apnoea, and
myoclonic jerking are characteristic of both epileptic seizures.
Clinical studies of similar techniques suggest that meditation
has a potential antiepileptic therapy.
In various studies, it has been suggested that behavioural
phenomena have an underlying epileptic basis, and the potential
efficacy for seizure reduction may translate into improved
quality of life. However, more understanding is warranted
by clinical trials before a blanket statement regarding
the efficacy in seizure disorder is made (Yardi, 2000).
4) Smoking and Alcohol dependence: Substance Dependence
A study by Bowen et al. (2007), in a population of alcohol
dependent explored the role of Vipassana, a mindfulness
meditation practice emphasizes acceptance rather than suppression
of unwanted thoughts. They concluded that Vipassana was
effective in reduction in substance use as compared to controls.
This was achieved as Vipassana meditation course volunteers
reported greater reduction in attempts to avoid unwanted
thoughts.
5) Psoriasis
In a study by Frankel (1998), in patients with psoriasis
found that meditation helped as an adjuvant therapy. The
rate of recovery of plaques was 3.8 times faster in the
meditation group as compared to control, this was achieved
in as little as four weeks time.
6) Chronic back pain
Back pain is an significant public health problem globally
and is the most commonly reported reason for use of complimentary
alternative medicine particularly yoga. Asthnga yoga and
Iyengar yoga, have been found to be efficacious in patients
with low back pain. Iyenger yoga has derived from Asthanga
yoga, which consists of eight limbs including morale injunctions,
rules for personal conduct, posture, breath control, sense
withdrawal, concentration, meditation and self realization
(Williams, 2005). Krusen, known as one of the early fathers
of physical medicine, has credited yoga posture exercises
as a means to correct spinal slumping, and thereby improve
the respiratory capacity. Stretching of muscles, which produce
propioceptive stimulation thereby relaxing muscle tension
and restoring optimal muscle tone and posture
7) Depression
Depression is among the five most common disorders seen
in primary care. Disability caused by depressive disorder
rivals that of coronary artery disease and is greater than
disability caused by chronic lung disease and osteoarthritis
according to medical outcome study. Cost of depressive disorders
in terms of treatment, missed work and loss of function
is 43 billion US dollars annually. There have been various
studies that have shown to be efficacious as an adjuvant
therapy in patients with depressive disorder. (Pilkington
et. al., 2005)
8) Psychosomatic disorders
The above-described paths of yoga help the individual in
integrating the personality and steadying the mind by changing
the attitude and motivation, by developing health and correct
habits and by modifying priorities and values of life.
Breathing exercises help in bio-energy control, which then
stabilizes emotional upheaval of illness. Yoga Asanas manipulate
nervous system and divert body energy to establish the equilibrium
of physical, mental and spiritual aspect of the individual's
life. Yoga hygiene not only removes the habit of unhealthy
nutrition, but also establishes homeostatic balance. Somatic
symptoms evolve due to fault in psychic energy distribution
as explained in psychology. Yoga helps in re-channeling
the psychic energy (Singh, 2006).
9) Perimenopause/ Menopause
Restorative yoga for treatment of hot flushes has been
found to be effective as there was a significant decrease
in mean number of hot flushes by 34% from baseline after
8 weeks of intervention. It has no adverse effects and has
been suggested to be efficacious in middle-aged women (Cohen,
2007; Khalsa, 2004)
10) Carpal-tunnel syndrome
Yoga in treatment of carpal-tunnel syndrome (Winston, 1999)
: Carpel tunnel syndrome is compressive neuropathy of the
medial nerve in the carpel tunnel, its more common in women
than men, as women have smaller carpel bone, hence less
space to accommodate the nerve of similar diameter. With
the extensive use of computer keyboard, the wrong posture
has led to an increase in the number of new cases in the
recent past. In a randomized control trial, it has been
shown that eight weeks of Yoga has been found to be beneficial.
There was significant reduction in the pain, and better
grip strength (Sequeira, 1999).
11) Cancers
Similar to breast cancer, studies of people with prostate
cancer suggest that melatonin levels are lower compared
to men without cancer, and test tube studies have found
that melatonin inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Meditation is a valuable addition to the treatment of prostate
cancer. The positive effects of meditation may be due to
a rise in levels of melatonin in the body.
12) Obesity
With the practice of asanas and meditation one can achieve
weight loss to a greater degree in a short span of time.
Weight can be reduced faster then most diets.
