Simple leg exercises can reduce negative effects on heart and blood vessels

Did you know how beneficial are simple Leg exercises while lying down? A sedentary lifestyle can cause an impairment of transportation of blood in the body which in turn may increase the risk of diseases in the heart and blood vessels.

Performing simple leg exercises can make a huge change and prevent such problems, a new study reveals.

Earlier work has demonstrated that prolonged sitting for up to 6 hours results in a decline in both blood flow to the limbs and in our larger arteries' ability to widen to accommodate increased blood flow. This is the first study to show that sitting for just 10 minutes is sufficient to reduce blood flow to the legs and impairs the function of small blood vessels supplying muscles in the leg.

This paper also highlights a reduction in the function of small blood vessels when lying down. However, this study suggests that we might be able to reverse this impairment to some extent by performing some simple leg exercises when lying down in bed or on the sofa.

Also Read : Here's why diabetics should get proper sleep

The effects of sitting on blood circulation have been attributed to blood passing more slowly through arteries while sitting. The researchers aimed to find out whether these reductions were caused by sustained sitting, or whether 10 minutes would be sufficient to have a negative effect.

The researchers used a Doppler ultrasound technique alongside the knee to measure blood flow and examined the extent to which blood vessels widened in 18 healthy, young males. These measurements were made prior to and following a 10 -minute period of sitting or during a period of rest while lying down, with or without leg exercises, which were performed by extending the foot back and forth every two seconds for a third of the time spent lying down.

Results showed that a 10 minute period of sitting reduced participants' ability to rapidly increase blood flow to the lower legs via small blood vessels, but it did not affect the widening of larger arteries in response to increased blood flow. The results also suggest leg exercises can help maintain rapid increases in the blood supply to the limbs.

The study demonstrates changes in blood vessel function measured at the level of the knee. However, the researchers only tested healthy young males and their findings cannot be extended to females. It remains unknown as to how these responses may vary with age, or with people who have heart problems.(more)

Most Popular Alternative Healing Therapies

Alternative Healing Therapies are healing methodologies that differ from the usual line of treatment than that of a doctor.

Alternative Healing Therapies are healing methodologies that differ from the usual line of treatment than that of a doctor. In other words therapeutic practices that are currently not considered as an integral part of conventional medical practice are classified as alternate healing therapies or alternate medicine. Many a times the benefits and healing abilities of these therapies are established through research, other times they may be unproven scientifically. With alternate healing therapies, healing, treatment and cure may be achieved through diet, self healing mechanism of the human body, various energies, herbal and other supplements and much more. Few of these healing techniques are thousand of years older than conventional medicines. Over the last couple of decades there has been a renewed interest in holistic and natural healing and thus various alternative healing therapies have found acceptance and are getting popular both in India and world over. Some of the most popular alternative healing therapies are:

Acupuncture – One of the better known alternative healing therapies is acupuncture. The healing technique has its origin in ancient China and has been practised for thousands of years. Acupuncture auctioneers believe that diseases and ailments are caused due to imbalances of universal energies. In our body there are invisible paths through which the energies Ying and Yang run. These two opposing forces are constantly merging, but can also become unbalanced. The energy network of the body has specific acupuncture points that are linked with various organs or body functions. In acupuncture needles are inserted into the subcutaneous connective tissue at these very specific points which in turn helps balance, slow down or stimulate certain energies and thus provide healing.

Acupressure – Acupressure just like acupuncture works on the principal of various specific points being energy centres of the human body. Stimulation of these points helps correct imbalances in the flow of life energy and thus provides healing. In acupressure correct amount of pressure is applied at these vital points in the human body using hands, elbows or specific devices to release blockages and provide healing.

Ayurveda – Ayurveda is an ancient healing practice that originated in India. The word Ayurveda is made from two words Ayur meaning life and Veda meaning knowledge. Ayurveda is a natural healing technique that establishes balanced in the body by bringing balance in the three fundamental life forces in our bodies known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Ayurveda teaches living in harmony with nature and using the human body self healing powers. Other than herbal remedies Ayurveda also uses techniques such as meditation, breathing and Yoga.(more)