Strong midsection- how exactly does it help with IBS?
#359402 - 06/22/10 03:20 PM
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I've heard from a few places that having strong core muscles will help prevent sudden contractions of digestive muscles and prevent IBS symptoms
How true is this? I'm an 18 year old male, moderately active, and I do strength training at home daily. I do htings like pull ups, push ups, squats, and leg raises.
So, would doing core exercises, like leg raises, reverse crunches, supermans, planks, oblique raises, etc, help with IBS?
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it sounds a little unlikely. The bowel spasms in IBS are literally happening in the bowel itself, which is comprised of smooth muscle tissue. It's a completely different organ and functions independently from your exterior abdominal muscles.
In general, exercise is helpful overall for IBS, so definitely stick with what you're doing. But I've never heard that having strong abdominal muscles will prevent digestive spasms.
Best, H
-------------------- Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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Thats what I thought, since as far as I know skeletal muscle wouldn't impact smooth muscle
My pediatrician was the first person who told me that. Then my mom started talking about how a yoga teacher said it helps with digestion. Maybe its just general exercise
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helps with stress which is why it can improve overall IBS symptoms but I doubt toning your core will stop bowel spasms.
-------------------- Stable IBS D
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Since 1999, I thought I was having "abdominal-muscle spasms, but was really having colon spasms. I think all these "designer fats" (fish oil, flax seed oil & olive oil) which I used in place of butter b/c it was "healthier". So, now I have IBS & it all started 7 years ago when a naturapath got me taking Omega 3's. Before that I had spasms, but no pain. They're supposed to be anti-inflammatory, but my tummy sure got inflamed! Kebbie
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