Yoga for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Yoga is practiced throughout the world. Having originated in India, it has reached just about every corner of the globe. It offers a ton of benefits. However, not many people know that yoga is beneficial for those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Exercise is often recommended by healthcare professionals to patients that have IBD. But, people that have indeterminate colitis, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease might not know which type of exercise might be good for them.

Research reveals that yoga is an excellent form of exercise for people that have IBD. It can help improve their quality of life, especially among those suffering from chronic illness. This post shares everything you need to know about the impact of yoga. People with IBD should incorporate yoga to their daily routine for better management of the condition.   

Stress Reduction

Yoga offers plenty of health benefits including stress reduction. There are yoga poses that help target particular parts of your body, including your digestive system. When a person lives with IBD, they experience a great deal of stress. The illness is also associated with depression and anxiety disorders. Yoga has been extensively studied for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Although there is a need for more large-scale research, the existing studies show that performing yoga regularly might help improve the quality of life among those suffering from IBD. 

Addresses Extra-Intestinal Manifestations

A great thing about yoga is that it helps address the extra-intestinal manifestations of IBD including joint pain. A study revealed that ulcerative colitis patients experienced less joint pain when they began yoga. It is common for people with IBD or any other digestive condition to experience trapped gas or abdominal bloating. To help deal with the digestive issue, certain poses such as the wind relieving pose can come in handy. With the assistance of a qualified yoga instructor, gut-friendly poses can be identified. 

Get Started with Yoga

As there are various types of yoga to choose from, it is important that you work with an instructor to decide which type of yoga to go with. Now, it is possible to do yoga from the comfort f your home. It is extremely beneficial for those that have IBD and cannot go to a class. However, beginners should first work with an instructor to gain a better understanding of yoga. It will help ensure that they perform poses effectively and properly. 

Precautions

Before you begin any exercise program, it is advised to discuss it with a gastroenterologist or any other physician. Although exercise is normally good for your health, it might not be the case for certain types of activities as they would need to be avoided.

Conclusion

After you have read this post, you will know everything there is to know about yoga for people with IBD. As mentioned above, you should consult with a gastroenterologist before you decide to work with a yoga instructor to determine which poses you need to practice.