Digestive problems are becoming more and more common in the United States. Approximately 60 to 70 million Americans suffer from digestive disease according to the National Institutes of Health, not to mention the millions more who put up with mild gastrointestinal complaints either periodically or regularly in their day-to-day lives.
Digestive health is largely determined by your lifestyle. That includes the foods you eat, how much you exercise and, just as importantly, your stress levels. While many people turn to medication for minor upsets like indigestion, bloating or constipation, there might be a better alternative to popping a pill.
Yoga is best known for its ability to reduce stress. However, it can also offer relief for people with ongoing GI issues, as well as potentially help prevent against developing them in the first place.
Yoga improves digestion in a few key ways:
- It helps calm the nervous system. Because stress can have a large impact on digestive health, managing stress through a meditative practice like yoga can help ease the digestive problems that can result from too much stress.
- Yoga poses provide a kind of internal massage for your digestive organs. This increases blood and oxygen flow, in addition to stimulating peristalsis to help move food through your gastrointestinal system – all of which aid in better digestion.
- Yoga works the core muscles that surround your digestive organs. Stretching and strengthening these muscles can also help support good digestion.
Whether you are struggling with gastrointestinal problems or you want to avoid them in the future, consider giving yoga a try in conjunction with healthy lifestyle habits and a balanced diet.
The physicians at GastroIntestinal Specialists, A.M.C., treat multiple conditions and diseases of the GI tract. Our Board-Certified physicians have over 150 years of combined experience in providing quality care that you can trust. To schedule an appointment, call our clinic at (318) 631-9121.