Posture and crohns

[carolinajak]

I have read some loose theories about poor posture and spine alignment issues contributing to chronic diseases including crohn's or at a minimum causing your immune system to be weaker than normal. Just curious what everyone thinks.

 

[EBH]

hey jason
i am a yoga teacher and long time sufferer of Crohn's. there is much support in yoga that spianl alignment has a strong effect on the overall health of the body. in the most basic sense, it makes lots of sense that a poor posture- that would cause slouching or hunching or anything that might 'shrink' the space in the core (or torso) of the body would impact digestion. poor posture can push on digestive organs and cut off flow of energy thru the digestive tract.
there are also many strong theories that yoga and opening of the spine help to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. A stimulated parasympathetic nervous system helps to ward off immune response in the body.
i have a community health and wellness website and feel that this subject would generate some interest... let me know your thoughts.

elizabeth

 

[carolinajak]

Thanks for the info. I had not heard it from that perspective, but it makes a lot of sense.

On another note, since you are a good yoga source; I had started soem beginner yoga before I had emergency surgery in september and was loving it. I have since then done a little yoga before my recent reversal surgery. Do you know any yoga tips or specifics for someone recovering from two serious abdominal surgeries in two months? I am not going to start working out with anything besides walking or my bike before the doctors clear it, but I was curious if there anything out there specific in the form of yoga I could follow. If not I will just take it slow and be very careful at first.

 

[mikeyarmo]

Jason - I know the doctors usually say that 2 months should pass before any exercise that where you exert yourself. I would definately be a bit more cautious with 2 different surgeries though. Walking is fine, so if you could I would stick to that for a while. Wait until you feel good and also your head feels comfortable trying new things. Do not force anything. Also make sure that when you do start again you start very slow and leave more time for recovery and for personal reflection on how you feel.

As for posture, I said I probably had poor posture. I do not think it was that great, and it is something I could (and should) work on. I was under the impression that this is something a lot of people though could improve though, so I am curious if it is really responsible for health issues (like IBD).

 

[carolinajak]

Thanks for the tip. I am making sure my doctors clear any exercise before I begin and taking it slow.

It is true that a lot of people could probably improve their posture, and I am not saying its a cause for crohns or anything, but it could be related. There are other "potential causes" such as stress, bad diet, etc. that are just as common as bad posture. It pays to be curious about all of this stuff I suppose. Just searching for information.

 

[GNC Crohn's Man]

If your gut hurts then yes your gonna have bad posture because bending over and being curled up relieves pressure on your abdomen which may cause some of the pain to stop... Therefore standing upright back straight would put a hell of a lot more pressure on your abdomen since it wouldn't be relaxed... If you want to give your back a good rest while keeping your belly soft lay flat on your back on your bed and just raise your knees up...

 

[Jeff D.]

I had perfect posture until I started feeling bad and my butt hurt like a knife stabbing it every time I walked. At that point I would walk more hunched back at school with my bag. But after school my posture was a little better.

 

[Skinsfan1229]

Posture is talked about in a few books and GI books I've read. Especially for I guess what you could call...expelling the fecal matter? or pooping? that there is actually a better posture for this then just sitting normally. Something about bringing your knees up to your chest, that way your colon is aligned straight, instead of a 90 degree angle.

Good posture should be used if at all possible...it helps with breathing for one thing(I'm an asthmatic also). But aids in digestion also.