Can You Exercise With Gall Bladder Stone

Introduction

Regular physical activity and exercise have both physical and mental health benefits over the long run. Additionally, a balanced diet and a regular workout regime can stimulate your metabolism and muscle building and help maintain strong bones. Recent studies suggest that physical activity reduces the risk of health conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The increased blood flow stimulation may help improve brain function and memory. It helps you maintain a healthy weight and manage stress. Thus, a regular workout regime can benefit you in the various walks of your day-to-day life. When suffering from conditions like gallbladder stones, it is important to stay physically active but not overdo it.

What is Gall Bladder Stone?

The gall bladder is an organ located on the right side of the abdomen, below the liver, that stores and releases a fluid, bile. The fluid helps digest the fats in our meals, but the organ is not essential to our body’s functioning. Gall Bladder Stone, medically known as cholelithiasis, arises when substances in the bile crystalize. Gallstones are common and can cause inflammation, nausea, and pain. Depending on your symptoms and complications (if any), the doctor decides whether cholecystectomy (gallstone surgery) is to be performed or not. The surgery is essential in about 80% of gallbladder stone cases. Before you undergo surgery or the diagnosis decided by your doctor, you can make certain dietary changes and add specific exercises to your workout regime. This may or may not help manage the painful symptoms of gall bladder stones.

Are Exercises Good For Gall Bladder Stone?

Most people are wary of performing surgery to remove gallstones and look for alternatives to manage the effects. Studies have found that exercise can help reduce the risk of gallbladder problems. However, no scientific evidence shows that exercise can help remove gallstones, but it may help you manage the pain. As long as you are not doubled up due to the inflammation and can carry on daily activities, you can perform exercises and try your hand at pain management.

University of Illinois study found that after 12 weeks, people who exercised five days per week had significantly fewer gallstones than sedentary people. So whether you have a history of gallstones or not, get your daily dose of exercise to reduce your risk of developing the painful stones.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS MD(Pediatrics)

5 exercises that may be Performed

Some lifestyle alterations and yoga poses may reduce abdominal pain and inflammation other than dietary changes. You can also perform the different Pranayama exercises such as – Kapalbhati and Anulom Vilom. Let us look at some exercises to help soothe your overall digestive system, contributing to a higher probability of pain management.

Note that no exercise or home remedy can cure gallbladder stones. You must consult a doctor and follow the treatment advised. To keep yourself active, discuss with your doctor if you can perform the following-

Note that no exercise or home remedy can cure gallbladder stones. You must consult a doctor and follow the treatment advised. To keep yourself active, discuss with your doctor if you can perform the following-

1. Narayana pose

The Narayana Pose offers a good stretch to the body and can help improve overall organ function. Let us look at the steps to perform the yoga pose:-

• Lie down on the floor and turn to the left with your arms stretched over and behind the end. You could also raise your head with the support of your hands.
• Make sure to keep your right foot over the left one while maintaining the position.
• Hold this position for about 10 to 15 minutes to feel the stretch.

2. The cobra pose (Bhujangasana)

The Cobra Pose is a great exercise to increase the mobility of the spine and strengthen the support muscles. The steps for the perfect Cobra Pose are:-

• Lie down flat on your stomach with your palms flat on the ground, directly below the shoulders. Bend your elbows and touch them to your sides.
• Look straight down at the mat, put your neck in the neutral position and put your pubic bone on the floor.
• Lift your chest off the floor while inhaling, roll your shoulders back and keep your low ribs. Take care that your elbows should be pressed onto your sides.
• Keep a neutral neck and look down to the floor throughout the asana.
• Hold the position for 30 seconds and exhale to come back to the floor.

3. Spinal twists (Supta Matsyendrasana)

Spinal Twists are easy and can be performed with little or no support. Exercise helps enhance the organ’s function, which might alleviate inflammation and pain. Let us look at the steps to perform the exercise:-

• Lie down straight on the mat with your knees bent and the soles of your feet on the floor.
• Press your feet onto the floor to lift your hips slightly off the floor. Shift them towards the right to help ease the twist at a later step.
• Pull your right knee into your chest while you exhale and extend the left leg on the floor. Ensure that the left foot is flexed throughout the pose and inhale.
• Exhale, cross your right knee to the left side of the body and hook the right foot behind your left knee for support. The hips should be stacked on top of each other.
• Open the right arm on the right side and in line with the shoulders. The left hand should rest on the right knee or be extended to make a T-shape turning your palms towards the ceiling.
• If you do not have neck pain, turn your head to the right and look at your fingertips.
• You should release your left knee and right shoulder towards the floor when exhaling.
• Hold the pose for about 30 seconds or 5-10 breaths before releasing the pose. Release both legs on the floor and make sure your spine is neutral before moving on to repeating the exercise on the other side.

4. The locust pose (Shalabhasana)

Shalabhasana helps stretch the body and spine and relieves back pain. The steps to perform the yoga pose correctly are:-

• Lie down flat on your stomach and place your hands underneath the thighs.
• Inhale and lift the right leg without bending it at the knee, with the chin resting on the ground.
• Stay in the position for about 10-20 seconds before exhaling and putting the leg down, back to the initial position.
• Repeat the same on the other side and perform it for 5-7 sets.
• Now, try to lift both legs together as much as you can and repeat it 2-4 times.

5. The bow pose (Dhanurasana)

Dhanurasana is one of the basic Hatha Yoga poses that help boost spine flexibility and may help with abdominal pain. Let us look at the steps to follow for the perfect Bow Pose:-

• Lie flat on your stomach with your feet hip-width apart and place your arms beside your body.
• Fold your knees and rest your ankles on your buttocks. Now, hold your ankles with your hands.
• Trying to lift your thighs and chest off the ground as much as your body permits.
• Stay in this position for 30-60 seconds before slowly releasing the pose.
• Repeat the yoga pose 4-5 times with short rests in between.

These exercises may help you manage the abdominal pain and side effects of gallstones. Doctors suggest moderate activities and exercises to keep your body moving. However, it is recommended to consult a physician to monitor the movements and ensure you do not stretch your limits.

Frequent aerobic exercise is inversely related to the progression of both gallbladder cancer and gallstone formation. It should be done under medical supervision.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S. M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Conclusion

In most cases, gallstones do not cause pain (asymptomatic gallstones) and these people do not display any symptoms. In case you are in pain, your doctor will recommend surgery. Some doctors also prescribe medications that may help. Moreover, if your gall stones are not removed surgically, they might return or cause other complications. Thus, consulting your doctor to choose the appropriate action and diagnosis is important. Make sure to constantly monitor your progress so that you can stop them from getting bigger.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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