Do kegal exercises help with Crohn's Disease

[jms99]

Hi, I'm new to these forums.

I was diagnosed with Crohn's about 2 years ago and have had 2 peri-anal fistulas draining for quite a while. The area sometimes gets swollen and painful.

For personal reasons, I was looking into doing Kegel exercises, which strengthen the muscles around your rectum and genitals --

There's 3 things I can see happening:

A) The increased blood flow to the area might help with the healing process.
B) The increase in size might be painful due to swelling and/or cause complications with the fistula's actual tunnel.
C) Nothing..

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[kromom1]

Sorry, I'm really not sure what would happen. I've been fortunate enough to not have any fistulas. I just wanted to welcome you to the forums and hopefully someone else can help you.

 

[JillianB82]

First off, welcome to the forum!

I would say try them & see what happens. If your symptoms worsen, than stop doing them.

Also, do you put any cream on your fistulas?

 

[amor151]

i'm lucky enough to get 2 or 3 abcesses and fistulas every month and so far all i've done is put up with it. do you no where you found out about these exercises? i wouldn't mind learning more about them. thanks alot.

 

[jms99]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys

Anyway--
No, I haven`t had any creams to put on the fistulas. The only med I take right now is Imuran. I also take some natural products (Omega-3, Probiotics, Aloe Vera Juice) and have been on a gluten-free diet for a while.

If you want more information on the Kegel exercises, check here:

http://www.dothekegel.com/why/

 

[My Butt Hurts]

Hi JMS and welcome.
I was doing kegels for a while when I was experiencing some rectal incontinence. I see you have that link there, but for others that might be thinking about it, there are 2 ways to do the kegels (3 actually if you include vaginal).
One is as if you are holding in a fart as if you are just gonna let it slip out a teeny bit. The other is as if you are about to crap your pants and you are holding in tight. There are specific amounts of times that you should hold them, but I can't find the site now =(

 

[forum contributor]

MBH, if you find that site, PLEASE post!!!!!

 

[My Butt Hurts]

Well DANG! I've been looking for 1/2 an hour, but all I can find is pelvic ones. I even typed in rectal kegel technique. I can't find it =( I KNOW I read it at one time though!
I did find this helpful warning - overexercising can instead cause muscle fatigue and increase leakage. So be careful! It's not 'no pain no gain' with THIS exercise.

 

[forum contributor]

Well DANG! I've been looking for 1/2 an hour, but all I can find is pelvic ones. I even typed in rectal kegel technique. I can't find it =( I KNOW I read it at one time though!
I did find this helpful warning - overexercising can instead cause muscle fatigue and increase leakage. So be careful! It's not 'no pain no gain' with THIS exercise.

Thanks, Jill. I know for those of us who've had accidents (and those of us who almost do on a daily basis), that info and warning will help! I'm going to try those exercises.

 

[Rosemarie]

Hello jms99.. welcome to forum =)
Ive had same thing though my 2 perianal's are doing much better and almost healed after 4 years of meds and surgery after surgery.
I did kegals on a regular basis... just because I would have done them anyway i guess because i dont wanna be one of those women who looses muscle control in 'that area' with age... and i was afraid the fistulas would effect it in that manner. I never aw any negative effects or otherwise. it just helped with keeping the muscle a lil stronger i suppose. In my opinion, with a prob like perianal fistulas, it IS a good idea to keep the muscle strong. It helps in the LONG run. You wont see immediate changes but it will make a difference eventually in terms of keeping your ability to control bowel movements and things like that. Just like it would with other women.
The only thing I wouldnt reccomend is doing them when your in pain (obviously). Do them gently and in small sets a few times a day untill it gets easier then you can increase over time... like you would when working any other muscle.
Good luck with your healing....... I FEEL your pain, trust me.