Yoga for Gallstones: Poses, Breathing & Natural Relief

What causes gallstones? 

In your body, the lever produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder. Sometimes, due to an imbalance in the substances that make up bile, like bilirubin, bile salts, and cholesterol, the bile can harden to form hard stone-like structures called gallstones. 

Gallstones may be single or multiple, ranging from the size of a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. Gallstones might remain inside your gallbladder or more out, blocking the ducts that carry bile, leading to symptoms like pain in the upper right abdomen and jaundice.

Factors that contribute to the formation of gallstones are:

• Being obese, prolonged fasting or sudden and rapid weight loss may result in gallstone formation.
• Eating a high-fat or low-fibre diet can increase the risk of developing gallstones.
• Gallstones are more common in people above the age of 40, and women are more likely to develop gallstones than men.
• Medications like cholesterol-lowering medicines, birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy can increase the risk of gallstones.
• If your gallbladder doesn’t function well, it results in delayed or incomplete emptying, causing the bile to become concentrated and harden to form gallstones.
• Gallstones tend to run in families. If you have a family history of gallstones, you have an increased risk of developing it, too.
• Medical conditions like liver disease, diabetes, IBS and Crohn’s disease can increase the risk of gallstone formation.

Understanding the causes of gallstones helps you make the right changes in your diet and lifestyle to prevent gallstone formation and maintain a healthy gallbladder.

What are the Benefits of Yoga for Gallstone Relief?

Improved Blood Circulation

Yoga poses encourage improved blood circulation throughout the body, including the tummy area where the gallbladder is situated. Better circulation promotes efficient organ function. It can also aid in preventing gallstones.

Stress Reduction

Chronic stress can negatively impact gallbladder health.

Yoga incorporates relaxation and mindfulness techniques. These techniques reduce stress levels. Managing stress effectively can contribute to a healthier gallbladder and minimise the risk of gallstone formation.

Enhanced Digestion 

Specific yoga postures involve twists and stretches that target the abdominal region. These movements stimulate the digestive organs, including the gallbladder. Yoga poses promote better digestion and reduce the risk of gallstone-related discomfort.

How Yoga Improves Your Digestive Health for Optimal Gallbladder Functioning

Here are a few ways Yoga assists in helping you achieve a healthy digestive system for proper gallbladder functioning:

Stimulating Digestive Organs

Yoga poses like the Seated forward bend and Cobra gently massage the digestive organs. The pose encourages optimal gallbladder functioning and other digestive components. This stimulation aids in better digestion and assimilation of nutrients.

Promoting Relaxation

Breathing exercises are a fundamental aspect of Yoga. It can include a state of relaxation in the body. When the body is relaxed, the digestive system functions more efficiently. It also reduces the gallbladder strain and mitigates the likelihood of gallstone-related pain.

Balancing the Body and Mind Connection

Yoga is known for its ability to balance the body and mind. Regularly practising it can help regulate the body's systems, including the gallbladder. Yoga also promotes overall wellness and prevents health issues related to gallstones.

Best Yoga Poses for Gallstone Relief & Prevention

The following poses target the gallbladder and digestive organs, providing relief and supporting overall gallstone treatment.

Seated Forward Bend Pose

Seated Forward Bend stretches the spine and massages the abdominal organs. The pose stimulates the liver and gallbladder. Focusing on alignment and breathing helps ease tension in the abdomen and supports digestive health.

Cat Cow Pose

Cat cow posture promotes spinal flexibility and gently massages the abdominal organs. Encouraging blood flow and movement in the abdominal area supports the overall functioning of the organs like the liver, gallbladder, etc.

The rhythmic movement also aids in digestion. The pose also helps alleviate discomfort associated with gallstones.

Reclining Bound-Angle Pose

Reclining bound-angle pose gently stretches the inner thighs, stimulates the abdominal organs, and encourages relaxation. Mindful breathing in this pose helps reduce stress and supports gallbladder health.

Bow Pose

Bow pose stretches the entire front of the body, stimulating the digestive organs and promoting gallbladder function. The increased activity in the gallbladder region can aid in the adequate storage and release of bile, preventing gallstone formation. Practising mindful breathing in this pose enhances the benefits and helps relieve gallstones.

Why Yoga is Essential for Gallbladder & Liver Health

Did you know that maintaining the gallbladder and liver's health is essential for overall well-being?

As these organs play significant roles in the digestive process and overall body detoxification, you must maintain both organs' proper functioning.

• The liver produces bile, a digestive fluid that helps break down fats and helps in their absorption. 
• The bile is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine whenever required for digestion.

The liver also plays a crucial role in detoxifying the body.

When these organs are healthy, proper digestion and detoxification occur.

Imbalances or gallbladder and liver conditions can lead to digestive issues, gallstones, and improper detoxification processes. 

Yoga Poses Benefiting Gallbladder and Liver

Ensure you practise these Yoga poses to maintain a healthy gallbladder and liver:

Mountain Pose

Mountain pose helps improve posture, increase blood flow to the liver, and promote balance. It's an excellent starting pose for a yoga practice, encouraging alignment and mindful breathing.

Half Lord of the Fishes Pose

Half lord of the fishes massages the abdominal organs, including the liver and gallbladder, promoting digestion and detoxification. It helps release tension and enhances flexibility.

Camel Pose

Ustrasana stretches the entire front of the body, including the abdomen, promoting healthy digestion and stimulating the liver and gallbladder. It also encourages better posture and relieves stress.

Breathing Exercises for Gallstone Relief

When practised mindfully, breathing exercises can be powerful tools for managing stress, reducing tension, and promoting relaxation. 

Deep breathing brings more oxygen into the body, and this improved oxygen supply can help relax tense muscles and tissues, thereby reducing pain and discomfort.

• Deep Belly Breathing ( Diaphragmatic breathing)
• 4-7-8 breathing techniques
• Nadi shodhana (Alternate nose breathing)
• Box breathing

Addressing Gallbladder Pain Through Yoga

Gallbladder pain typically manifests as a sharp, cramping pain in the upper right abdomen, under the ribcage. It can radiate to the back or the right shoulder. This pain triggered by gallstones can obstruct the bile ducts or cause inflammation. 

Yoga can alleviate this pain by:

• Stretching and relaxing the abdominal area promotes better blood flow.
• Improving digestion and stimulating gallbladder functioning.
• Encouraging gentle movements to reduce tension and discomfort.

Conclusion 

Yoga and breathing exercises must be an integral part of everyone's life. There are many benefits of yoga in reducing gallstones and related symptoms, even though they are indirect.

Understanding what to do and when to do it is essential when you practise Yoga. Adopting the correct yoga techniques along with lifestyle changes to improve digestive health is what gallbladder health seeks. Contact our yoga experts to learn more about therapeutic yoga techniques.