An Evidence-Based Yoga Therapy Module for the Management of Peptic Ulcers

Abstract

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a widespread gastrointestinal condition where psycho-social stress is now recognized as a critical contributing factor that can initiate the condition, hinder healing, and promote recurrence. While conventional medical treatments are essential for addressing primary etiological agents like H. pylori, they often do not manage the underlying, chronic stress components, leaving a significant gap in holistic patient care. This paper proposes a comprehensive, evidence-based yoga therapy module structured around the Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy (IAYT) and its foundational Pancha Kosha framework for the integrated management of PUD. The module systematically addresses the five sheaths of human existence, prescribing specific, gentle interventions designed to restore balance at each level of being. The proposed interventions include diet and lifestyle modifications, restorative physical postures (asanas) to soothe the physical body; slow, mindful breathing techniques (pranayama) to calm the energetic systems; and deep relaxation practices like Yoga Nidra to process emotional and mental stress. The scientific rationale for this multi-layered approach is its ability to target the primary mechanisms of the psycho-somatic stress response. These mechanisms include down-regulating the hyper-reactive brain-gut axis, shifting the autonomic nervous system's balance from sympathetic 'fight-or-flight' activation toward a parasympathetic 'rest-and-digest' response, and reducing the biochemical load of stress hormones like cortisol via the HPA axis. By addressing the root causes of psycho-somatic imbalance, this integrated yoga module presents a structured, complementary framework designed to support primary medical treatment in effectively managing symptoms, while empowering patients with practical tools for sustainable, long-term health and well-being.