Disclaimer: For the sake of getting this review out to potential readers in a timely manner, I have read through but not participated in the 8 week program.
Summary
Relax Into Yoga for Chronic Pain is an 8-week workbook for managing chronic pain. It incorporates pain science education, mindfulness, and yoga posture practices. The introduction introduces the reader into basic neuroscience education about pain, what makes chronic pain different from acute pain and a brief history of yoga.
Relax Into Yoga for Chronic Pain workbook can be written in directly, with a chart for each week to fill out and track your progress.
Each week is broken up into a different focus including:
Attention
Stress
The Mind
Pain
Emotions
Fatigue
Who Are the Authors and What Are Their Credentials?
Jim Carson, PhD is a clinical health psychologist and associate professor of anesthesiology and psychiatry at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon and a Registered Yoga Teacher 500 through the Yoga Alliance. He specializes in health psychology and pain psychology and has worked with patients living with cancer, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and other chronic conditions.
Kimberly Carson, MPH, C-IAYT is a health educator and yoga teacher at the Oregon Health and Science University. She helped develop the Yoga of Awareness program with her husband Jim Carson at Duke University.
Carol Krucoff, C-IAYT is a yoga teacher and Certified Yoga Therapist who has been practicing yoga for more than 40 years. She currently teaches at Duke Integrative Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. She is also an award-winning health journalist and book author.
My Opinion (as a Physical Therapist and someone who suffers from chronic pain)
Relax Into Yoga for Chronic Pain focuses a lot on the fact that yoga is not just a physical practice but also a spiritual and mental practice. This aspect of the book may be challenging for some readers who are looking for a more straightforward or instant answer to their pain. Participation in this workbook will take some time and patience, and work on your part to learn and think through the concepts, reflect on different aspects of your life and gain relief for chronic pain. I believe the knowledge from this book will have longer lasting effects, even if they are not felt right away.
Relax Into Yoga for Chronic Pain also contains short narratives of other individuals who have participated in the in-person 8 week program provided by the authors which could serve to inspire continued participation and perseverance to complete the whole program. It’s always nice to know there is a community of people dealing with similar issues who have found relief.
Relax Into Yoga for Chronic Pain requires the individual to look deep into themselves mentally and emotionally and is not a substitute for professional counseling, but may serve as an adjunct to those services.
Who Would This Be Good For?
Relax Into Yoga for Chronic Pain would be good for individuals who are...
Willing/able to participate in the full 8 week program
Have tried everything else and have an open mind
Need/want a structured program to monitor symptoms and progress
Interested in yoga (not necessary but helpful)
Are sufferers of chronic pain or healthcare providers who work with individuals with chronic pain
Relax Into Yoga for Chronic Pain may not be the best option if you...
Are not willing/able to put in 20-30 minutes each day to fill out the workbook
Have time constraints or something that would interrupt your progress within 8 weeks like an upcoming surgery
Need physical assistance to read, write, and/or perform simple exercises
Content Outline
134 pages of reading content including introduction and week-by-week workbook.
62 pages of yoga postures with black and white drawings and step by step instructions
Additional content available online through the publisher’s website including bonus chapters, calendars, audio guided posture practices and exercises
How to Purchase
Link to Paperback book on Amazon
Link to Paperback book and ebook on Publisher's website
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