You’ve been to the doctor and he or she has given you the bad news: there is no known cure for Crohn’s Disease. You’re not alone, 1:14,000 people are diagnosed with Crohn’s and each person is most commonly between the ages of 15-30.
This disease is completely manageable and with some exercise and life changes and you may be able to turn down many of the drugs and surgeries that are so common with Crohn’s patients. The best kind of exercise to help improve your symptoms is two part: stretching and walking.
A Nice Light Meal
Studies from Web MD, EveryDayhealth.com, and healthline.com all show that it’s not only the exercise that benefits the patient but also when and where the exercise takes place. Since stress is such a high factor and stimulant to the symptoms, it is essential to take a look at the overall day and place and set aside time in which exercise can be enjoyed.
Usually, this time period would be in the late afternoon evening time after a light meal when the day has cooled and the stress of the day is settling or in the morning as part of a routine to start your day off right (or even perhaps both). The necessity is that the time of exercise should take place in a calm relaxing time after you have eaten a light meal to promote a healthy digestion.
Do Some Stretches
After the meal, start with some stretches. Take your time with this step, it will help if you can do this in a place in which kids aren’t going to be running around or jumping over you. Even laying down a blanket on the floor where you will stretch will alleviate some stress.
Focus on stretching your lower back and abdominal section. You can start by laying face down on the floor and lifting your torso up so that you are resting on your elbows and your hips are resting on the ground. To stretch your back, sit up with your knees bent under your stomach and bringing your hands in front of you on the floor, bow your head as low as you can. Take a few breaths during each stretch.
There are many instructional videos on youtube but remember to go slowly. With Crohn’s, you do not want to overwhelm your body with exercise, you just want to motivate digestion.
A Nice Light Walk
Thereafter, a light walk would heighten the results. It is important to note that you should always take any kind of medication that the doctor has prescribed and a bottle of water when you go out. Walking doesn’t mean that you have to do it in any particular manner and you don’t have to go to any specific location to do it.
You might just want to walk to the corner of your street. The trick is to go as far as you can without pushing yourself to far. Walk to the mailbox a few times during the day or doing some outdoor gardening, anything that will get you moving.
Exercise is not a cure but it will help the digestive tract and lessen the symptoms. Though at first, a patient may not feel up to doing the little things the benefits of moving can send a Crohn’s patient into remission.
Light exercise such as walking and stretching lowers stress and helps lift depression which is one of the hardest symptoms of Crohn’s to overcome.
Osteoporosis, which Crohn’s patients are at higher risk is also fought with light exercise. By becoming more active, a patient can live a well life.
