Yoga for Dermatologic Conditions
As both a dermatology resident and yoga instructor, I find the potential correlation between the 2 disciplines to be interesting and a growing topic of attention in the media today. With the rising trend of practicing yoga, which encompasses physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation or mindfulness, it is inevitable that patients will inquire about the benefits of yoga in managing dermatologic problems. In this column, I will discuss the dermatologic manifestations of stress as well as the known health benefits of yoga as described in the literature so that residents may offer an objective opinion about yoga in response to patient inquiries.
Because some dermatologic problems have comorbidities and increased risk factors of other medical problems, such as psoriasis with psoriatic arthritis and metabolic diseases (eg, abdominal obesity, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease), it is even more pertinent to recommend approaches for healthy mind and body well-being as a supplement to medical care.26
Final Thoughts
With accurate diagnosis by a dermatologist, appropriate conventional treatments can improve dermatologic problems. These treatments alone can reduce patients’ stress and improve skin, hair, and nail conditions; however, if it is clear that stress is interfering with a patient’s overall well-being and ability to cope with his/her dermatologic condition, concurrent stress management interventions may be warranted. In some instances, recommending yoga sessions, mindful meditation, or breathing exercises may help, while in others referral to a mental health professional may be necessary.
Beyond the direct physiological effects of stress, it also is worth mentioning that patients who deal with stress also tend to scratch, pick, or irritate their skin more and often lack the motivation to adhere to skin care regimens or treatments, again supporting the idea that our approach in managing these patients must be multifaceted. As dermatologists in training, residents should be cognizant of the potential psychological sequelae of some dermatologic problems and be aware of the possible use of supplemental interventions by our patients.
