Introduction: The mechanisms underlying the use of yoga in pain relief are still unclear. This study reviewed literature reports on encephalic activity related to analgesia induced by yoga meditation practice.
Methods: This integrative review examined studies published in the Pubmed, LILACS and MEDLINE databases without restriction of the year of publication. The research involved 16 descriptors related to the words: yoga, pain and neuroimaging methods. Inclusion criteria involved only the publications available online, with free access and written in English.
Results: 2 case studies and 1 pilot study met the criteria. Yoga meditation practice induces analgesia primarily through attenuation of the medial pain perception system including the Anterior Cingulate Cortex and Insula regions, as well as the lateral system including the Secondary Sensory Cortex and Thalamus.
Conclusion: Yoga induced analgesia is a potentially important adjunct to current pain management. This integrative review revealed that there is a need for further research that analyzes the encephalic regions related to analgesia induced by yoga practice.
Keywords: Analgesia; Brain; Integrative medicine; Meditation.
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