Leading a full life while having a chronic and complex digestive disease such as Crohn’s requiresmaintaining a healthy lifestyleand following a responsive treatment plan that works for your specific needs.
And being physically active is an important part of disease management. Aresearch review published in June 2017 in the journalClinical Experimental Gastroenterologyfound that exercise can improve disease activity,help with fatigue, and boost quality of life for people with this inflammatory bowel disease.
Finding the most effective approach can be difficult, as each person experiences different challenges and symptoms.
How canyoga, an ancient practice that originated in India, be integrated into the 21st-century lifestyles of those withCrohn’sso that they can not only function, but also thrive? That is a fundamental question being explored today by many doctors and researchers.
Areview and analysis published in January 2019 in theJournal of Psychosomatic Researchfound that yoga-based programs can help reducedepression and anxietyin people with IBD, as well as improve overall quality of life.
Anotherstudy, published in April 2015 inPLoS One, suggests that yoga can help Crohn’s patients deal with stress. Researchers at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital enrolled patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) andirritable bowel syndrome(IBS) in a relaxation-response-based program that lasted nine weeks. The patients participated in multidimensional activities that included utilizing the breath to focus, visualization, contemplation, yoga, andmindfulness techniques.
A majority of the participants self-reported symptom relief and improvements in overall quality of life. The results suggest that incorporating yoga into one’s everyday life can lead to a more positive outlook, which in turn can decrease flare-ups and inflammation.
It’s important to note that the program was administered in a group setting. Being apart of a communityof individuals who practice yoga and meditation is a bonus, because those with chronic digestive diseases often struggle with feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Yoga for Beginners: How to Start a Practice
While yoga and the "wellness" industry has exploded in popularity in the West, this millennia-old mind-body technique can still be off-putting to a beginner.
Yoga is unique among exercise modalities in that it incorporates physical postures, called asanas, and breath control, called pranayama. The union of the two leads to a calming yet strengthening routine.
While there are many kinds of yoga, certain poses and breathing exercises can be especially beneficial to those with digestive diseases.
Restorative yogais shown inthis video from GI (Gastrointestinal) Research Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on ways to incorporate exercise, yoga, and meditation into GI treatment. Restorative yoga includes deeply relaxing poses that assist in calming the nervous system and reducing symptoms associated with digestive diseases.
David T. Rubin, MD, the lead scientific adviser for GI Research Foundation, a professor of medicine and a codirector of the digestive diseases center at the University of Chicago, recommends poses like:
- Side stretches
- Twists
- Wind-Relieving pose (knee to chest)
- Modified shoulder stand (for more experienced practitioners)
“Thebenefits of yogaand meditation for those who suffer from chronic diseases have been long known by some, but ignored in more traditional approaches to disease management,” says Dr. Rubin. ”It’s time that we embrace these holistic approaches to support our IBD patients and complementtheir other therapies.”
Thefree resourcesprovided by GI Research Foundation are a great start to get acquainted with yoga and meditation exercises tailored to people dealing with IBD. Before you commit to a program at your local studio or gym, be sure to speak with your doctor about the options.
