If you love keeping active but suffer from hemorrhoids, we’ve got good news for you. You may think those pesky swollen veins will get in the way of your exercise routine, right? Not necessarily. In fact, certain types of physical activity can help you manage or put you at lower risk of hemorrhoids. Even if you’re not naturally sporty, gentle exercise could help improve treatment outcomes for your hemorrhoids by strengthening your pelvic muscles and improving bowel function and circulation.
So, which exercises should you be doing and what precautions should you take to prevent your hemorrhoids from worsening? Our experts at Premier Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Knoxville, TN, put together a handy guide to help you get started.
First things first: Exercises to avoid
Unfortunately, there are a few sports that could cause your hemorrhoids to flare up. As a general rule, it’s a good idea to avoid activities involving heavy lifting or sitting. If your hemorrhoids are itchy or painful, you should steer clear of sports such as weightlifting, squatting, cycling, riding horses, or rowing, at least until the swelling goes down.
If you can’t stay away from these sports and are fed up with recurring hemorrhoids, there are a few measures you can take to avoid flare-ups and lesson the symptoms:
• Use suppositories or creams to avoid inflammation.
• Place a hemorrhoid pad in your bike shorts or leggings to reduce chafing and ease pressure on your anal area.
• If you’re a weightlifter, consider split training (i.e., alternating the muscle groups involved in your lifting routines).
• Take warm sitz baths after exercising to alleviate any swelling or itching
Exercises for improving hemorrhoid outcomes
The great news is that there are plenty of exercises out there that could potentially reduce hemorrhoid inflammation – even if you’re a workout rookie. Activities to consider include:
1. Swimming or water aerobics
Warm water can soothe hemorrhoid pain and leave you feeling calm and refreshed. Even better, it targets all the muscle groups that help improve digestive function and prevent constipation (a major cause of hemorrhoids). Swimming is beneficial for people of all fitness levels and body types, so sign up to your local pool today!
2. Yoga or Pilates
Yoga and Pilates involve a range of poses that encourage the development of strong core muscles and a healthy digestive system. These exercises can also be gentle and fun – good news if you’re new to working out.
3. Cardiovascular exercises
Exercises that raise your heart rate increase blood flow to the rectal area and help to reduce inflammation. There are tons of cardiovascular workouts available to suit different tastes, including tennis, running, walking, swimming, dancing, basketball, and much more!
Take control of your hemorrhoids today with Premier Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Knoxville!
If your hemorrhoids are causing so much discomfort that they keep you from enjoying your life, our specialists at Premier Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Knoxville can help. We’re the ONLY dedicated hemorrhoid center in the southeastern region.
To request an appointment, call our Confidential Hemorrhoid Hotline at (865) 588-9952 or go online to: https://www.premiersurgical.com/hemorrhoid-treatment-appointment-request.