Research Brief
A small study just published in the Journal of Pain Research suggests that 8 weeks of yoga may raise cortisol levels and improve several symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Researchers measured participants' salivary cortisol levels 3 times a day before starting the yoga program and after the 8-week course. They say post-yoga levels were significantly higher than pre-yoga levels.
Cortisol is one of your body's primary stress hormones. Your body releases it every time you're in a physically or mentally stressful situation and it helps protect your body from the full impact of stress. Additionally, cortisol helps your body regulate blood sugar levels and blood pressure, is an anti-inflammatory and an anti-allergy agent, and calms the immune system.
In fibromyalgia, cortisol levels are generally low, meaning stress has a far greater effect on us. Studies involving cortisol replacement have had mixed results, however, and it's generally considered safer and more effective to raise cortisol levels naturally.
Also in this study, researchers say the yoga program significantly improved the following symptoms:
Several other studies, most of them small, have also suggested that yoga is beneficial to us. See: Yoga for Fibromyalgia.
Learn more or join the conversation!
NEWSLETTER | FORUM | BIO | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
Photo © Reggie Casagrande/Getty Images
I just read an interesting article on The Light Gene Expression Studies, that demonstated, that however similar the fatigue and pain may look in CFS, FM, depression and healthy controls, something very different is going on beneath the surface. Exercise reduced fatigue and pain levels in healthy controls and FM patients, but that exercise had an entirely different effect on ME/CFS patients. This suggested that FM, for all its surface similarities to ME/CFS, is at least in part, a very different disorder.
http://forums.phoenixrising.me/content.php?446-Light-on-ME-CFS-I-Bad-Reception-A-Key-to-ME-CFS-Uncovered-The-Light-Gene-Expression-Studies
True, Rachael! In fact, I believe that is one of the primary diagnostic tools in differentiating the two. Exercise for people with ME/CFS produces “post-exertional malaise”, believed to be brought about by a cascade of cytokines being released by the immune system. (This is probably why many of us have experienced frequent or prolonged periods of “having the flu” without having any actual virus infection. It’s often not the virus that causes the symptoms, but your body’s reaction that does.) And yet exercise clearly helps people with what I think of as primary or “pure” FM.
Does anyone know what average salivary cortisol levels are throughout the day?
I had salivary cortisol taken morning noon and night, and the results are:
morning: 263 (normal 100-750)
afternoon <50 (normal <450)
evening <50 (normal <100)
My doctor told me my afternoon and evening cortisol levels were normal because they were below 450 and 100, but they sure seem low to me. The crash in cortisol levels completely coincides with my crash in energy.
Thanks,
Karen
I’ve really like yoga. I got away from it while I was at the peak of fibro pain and before I figured out the ropes of pacing myself. I also had to lose a bunch of weight before I could do it again. Now I hope to get to classes consistently. I think the key is finding an instructor who doesn’t constantly push you to do more than you can handle. I always feel more up after a good session.
Be aware Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD) (adult onset) also causes CF/FM like symptoms.Had 2 trips to Mayo (misdiagnosed both x’s)& 2nd time said it was CF.4 months later a MD who has AGHD, recognized symptoms & sent me 2 a PITUITARY specialist (not same as other endocrinologists who claim 2 treat pituitary disorders)&diagnosis confirmed.They also suspect cyclical Cushings. Both can B caused by small tumors on pituitary.Went thru 4 yrs suffering because MD’s kept thinking it was FM,CF,MS, I was “crazy”/nothing wrong when there WAS!Note also caused by head trauma,car accidents,brain infections etc – any trauma 2 pituitary.GH also helps regulate blood sugars, muscle repaid2 tiny microscopic tissues. Symptoms 4 me are joint pain, HORRIBLE fatigue, weird neurological symptoms (numb face,shooting nerve pain,weakness when walking/going up stairs,feeling upside down etc)due 2 GH’s role with repairing tissues/myelin sheath.Not a MD-but what I was told by MD who recognized symptoms.He went thru SAME challenges getting diagnosed-they even accused him, another MD, of it all being in his head!Important 2realize that some CF/FM may actually be AGHD instead/or in addition 2.Don’t expect your MD 2 be all interested in pursuing as a possible diagnosis though!You’ll have to be persistent, strong & determined if u think symptoms of AGHD or AGHD/Cushings applies to you. Be aware if u goodle AGHD-alot info on GH deficient kids where theydon’t grow…but it manifests differently with very disabling symptoms when starts as adult.Also, don’t be disallusioned by all the health fanatics/”fountain of youth seekers” talking about GH.That’s NOT what I’m refering 2.Don’t look 2 those sites 4 accurate info.check out http://www.magicfoundation.org
Best of luck to you all on accurate diagnosis and full recovery! I’m finally feeling 95% FANTASTIC after 1 yr of daily growth hormone injections. I have my life back!!!!
Kind regards,
Lisa
Lisa – am happy to hear a happy ending story like yours – for the longest time, and after many tests, doctors looking at everything and finding nothing, I’ve started thinking lately that maybe I have an issure with pituatry – but can’t find anyone in my area to take me seriously on this.
Can you say what doctor/clinic you went to get diagnosed?