Yoga as Therapeutic Exercise: A Practical Guide for Manual Therapists

3

Chapter

Diagnosis

Contraindications Tests of our aims of exercises

During practice some signs indicate either exhaus-

tion    or   health problems.   These   are change  of   skin   

color,  red eyes,   perspiration,   change  in   breathing, 

trembling,  or   any    other   unusual reaction.   It   is  impor-

tant    to   keep   an   eye    open    for these   signs   as   students   

and patients    may have    undiagnosed disease.    Also    if  

someone is afraid of certain exercises or refuses to

do   them,  this    may give    an   important  diagnostic  clue.   

In   his    work    A Matter of Health, Raman   (2008a, 

p.   3) states: “as an eminent doctor has put it:

With    all  our    varied  instruments,    useful  as   they   are,    

nothing can replace the watchful    eye,    the alert   ear,    

the     tactful finger  and the logical mind.”

In   summary,   if   there  is   any    doubt,  seek    advice  

from an experienced colleague and a medical

expert. A    synthesis  between modern  medicine    and 

the traditional art  and    science of   yoga   will    be   a   good   

approach    to  the patient.

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