If the mention of yoga brings to mind svelte young women in leotards, think again. A new study shows that yoga has definite benefits for older men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
Yoga Eases Adverse Effects of Radiation:
The men who participated in an intensive yoga program while they went through radiation treatment for this cancer were less prone to common side effects of the treatment, including cancer related fatigue, erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. These benefits might be due to yoga’s effect in strengthening pelvic floor muscles and improving pelvic blood flow.
The men reported feeling better at the end of each of the twice-weekly classes than they had at the outset and many requested instruction in continuing their yoga practice at home after the study ended. This pilot study showed that middle-aged (or older) men are capable of practicing yoga and reaping its rewards.
Society for Integrative Oncology International Conference, Boston, MA, Nov. 14-16, 2015
