It is not customary to talk about hemorrhoids out loud. Patients are embarrassed by this problem. Therefore, many do not know how to live with it: is physical activity acceptable for hemorrhoids, is an active lifestyle possible, is it inherited, is the process of defecation difficult? Not daring to consult a proctologist, people are left alone with their problem.
This is the most common mistake of all patients with hemorrhoids. But if the patient consults with a doctor and determines what stage his disease is at, he will be able to hear whether sports are possible with hemorrhoids, what maximum weight he can lift in his case and what physical exercises he is allowed to do.
Why is physical activity strictly regulated for hemorrhoids?
Few people know that hemorrhoids are just a variant of varicose veins. The only difference is the location. If everyone is accustomed to this phenomenon on the legs, hemorrhoids are weakening of the venous walls in the anus.
This leads to disruption of blood flow in this area and to the prolapse of hemorrhoids (normally present in all people) from the rectum. One of the most common causes of hemorrhoids falling out of the anus is immediate physical stress. Then a natural question arises: is it possible to play sports with hemorrhoids?
Nobody talks about professional activities, when athletes are required to exert extreme efforts to set new records. But a complete lack of physical exercise has never benefited anyone, and therefore you should know what workouts for hemorrhoids are acceptable and even useful.
Bodybuilders are at risk for developing hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are a disease that is characterized by varicose hemorrhoids in the anal canal. There are many reasons for the appearance of hemorrhoids:
- hereditary predisposition;
- inactive lifestyle;
- sedentary work;
- poor nutrition;
- excess weight;
- chronic constipation;
- alcohol abuse;
- smoking;
- chronic inflammatory process;
- rectal tumors;
- pregnancy and childbirth;
- excessive physical activity;
- strength sports such as powerlifting and bodybuilding .
Athletes who prefer strength training such as bodybuilding and powerlifting are at risk of developing hemorrhoids. This is due to the fact that almost all exercises in these sports cause an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, and the use of special fixing belts only aggravates the situation.
Increased intra-abdominal pressure leads to increased pressure in the pelvis and stagnation of venous blood in the organs of this area. These pathological processes are the basis for the development of hemorrhoids.
What physical activities can you do if you have hemorrhoids?
Patients with hemorrhoids who actively engage in sports should remember:
- That any exercises that require a lot of stress from the body must be excluded during the period of exacerbation of the disease - at the moment when hemorrhoids or lumps fall out of the rectum;
- Moderate sports activities are a good prevention of the disease and contribute to the patient’s recovery in the initial stages of the pathology. The patient will strengthen the walls of blood vessels if he adheres to proper nutrition, takes complexes of vitamins and minerals and performs physical therapy exercises;
- If a person prefers to use the services of a gym, then it is better to hire a personal trainer as an assistant. He will select a gentle training regimen taking into account the physical characteristics of a particular client.
You can also practice sports at home, but only coordinate the exercise regimen with the instructions of your doctor. To maintain his health, the patient can engage in a daily set of gymnastic exercises with a total duration of 15-20 minutes.
If the patient led a sedentary lifestyle before diagnosing the pathology, it is necessary to carefully exercise for hemorrhoids, gradually increasing the load. For example, long walks, cycling, and swimming will be useful.
You should start with those activities in which the muscles of the upper and lower extremities are actively pumped. This measure will prevent congestion in the pelvic organs and promote good microcirculation in the intestines.
How does bodybuilding affect the disease?
During heavy physical activity, blood flow to the pelvic organs increases, which can lead to the formation of hemorrhoids. A too tight sports belt can also lead to negative consequences. If the blood does not have time to leave after the dilation of the vessels, then they are pinched. As a result, blood vessels lose their elasticity, strength and firmness. Subsequently, hemorrhoids begin to progress.
If a person is predisposed to hemorrhoids, he is advised to avoid certain bodybuilding exercises. But you don't have to stop training completely. If you follow the recommendations and dose the loads, you can avoid complications.
Hemorrhoids can develop for various reasons, and if they are combined with bodybuilding, then it is better to give preference to another sport. It is necessary to highlight factors in the presence of which it is recommended to abandon strength exercises:
- Passive lifestyle.
- Chronic constipation.
- Varicose veins
- Alcohol abuse.
- Abnormal stool.
- Eating small amounts of plant foods.
In such cases, weightlifting is contraindicated, especially if the disease has become acute. You need to understand that bodybuilding for early-stage hemorrhoids is allowed provided that the training intensity is low.
Can we forget about going to the gym?
No one can prohibit a patient with hemorrhoids from going to the gym, but lifting heavy weights in his condition is considered extremely undesirable. Exercises with dumbbells, barbells and other heavy equipment contribute to a sharp increase in intra-abdominal pressure due to a rapid rush of blood into the pelvic area.
As a result, hemorrhoids fall out of the anus under the influence of heavy load: blood flow to the vessels is increased, outflow is difficult. Such an event not only worsens the condition of an already sick person, but can provoke illness in a completely healthy person.
The following actions are not allowed for a person with hemorrhoids at any stage of development:
- performing squats with a barbell;
- powerlifting;
- intensive bodybuilding exercises;
- bench press
The above activities become taboo not only during exacerbation of the disease, but also during remission. Weightlifting is also included in the list of prohibited activities. Professional sports trainers will be able to select a special set of exercises for a person with hemorrhoids, which will not be aimed at gaining muscle mass, but at shaping the muscle relief. Only in this regard are hemorrhoids and bodybuilding compatible.
Exercises for abdominal muscles
With this disease, it is necessary to reduce pressure on the abdominal cavity, but this does not mean that there is no need to work on the muscles in this area. There are a number of exercises that will help keep the muscle system in good shape, without provoking exacerbation of hemorrhoids:
- "Scissors";
- "Cat";
- "Seal";
- "Stilts";
- walking on the buttocks;
- muscle tension when raising the pelvis, etc.
These gymnastic exercises will help balance the “inflow-outflow” ratio of blood in the pelvis and help work the muscles of the abdominal wall without causing an increase in intra-abdominal pressure.
What exercises should you do with caution?
But if everything is clear with lifting weights, then is it possible to load yourself with the weight of your own torso?
- Press. The question is: is it possible to pump up abs with hemorrhoids? Doctors agree that pumping the abs while lying down is prohibited at the time of exacerbation of the pathology. The reason is still the same: strong tension in the abdominal muscles, as a result of which the nerve fibers around the anal sphincter are irritated and the risk of venous nodes protruding out increases.
During remission of the initial stages of hemorrhoids, it is possible to pump up the abs with special exercises. This will have a positive effect on the cavernous veins, will affect the restoration of normal functioning and intestinal motility, and will accelerate the elimination of toxins.
- Squats. Are squats good for hemorrhoids without weights? Experts consider squats to be the best way to prevent hemorrhoids, since with the correct technique, the muscles of the thighs, buttocks, legs and abdominal region are strengthened. Along with squats, climbing stairs is useful. It is also possible to squat with already developed hemorrhoids, but only during remission and without the use of dumbbells and barbells.
- Push-ups. Often people do not know whether they can do push-ups if they have developed hemorrhoids. This is especially true for men who are used to keeping the muscles of their arms, back and chest in good shape. Push-ups for hemorrhoids are a completely acceptable exercise, since during the exercise the load is concentrated in the torso. But the technique of performing push-ups must be correct so that the weight is transferred primarily to the upper body, while at the same time strengthening the abdominal and buttock muscles that support the torso in the air.
- Pull-ups. Strength training on the horizontal bar or parallel bars is considered permitted. But here, too, a measure must be observed: classes are possible provided that there are no external hemorrhoids, anal fissures or thrombosed vessels. If a person doubts whether it is possible to do pull-ups on the horizontal bar in his case, he needs to consult on this issue with his attending proctologist.
Reasons for the development of the disease
The interweaving of veins in the rectum is quite traumatic in itself. This area is more often than others exposed to the influx of venous blood and the slightest disturbance in blood circulation entails irreversible damage, stretching of the walls of blood vessels and, accordingly, protrusion from the surface.
Hemorrhoidal nodes during periods of tension manifest themselves clearly in the form of several fairly large or clusters of small cones protruding on the walls of the anal canal.
Nodules form due to irrationally distributed physical activity, which puts a lot of stress on the area where the rectum exits.
The reasons that provoke inflammation of hemorrhoids can be:
- pregnancy;
- frequent gastrointestinal problems;
- hard physical labor;
- passive lifestyle.
When eating spicy dishes or a large amount of food at one time, when lifting weights or spending a long time sitting, the cones become overfilled with blood, and since its return flow is difficult, the blood stagnates, giving the condition pain and discomfort.
Effective treatment of hemorrhoids is impossible without determining the causes that caused inflammation in the veins of the rectum. Therefore, in the process of fighting the disease, it is important to take into account the factors that provoked its development. Hemorrhoids are often caused by the following reasons:
- sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work;
- unhealthy diet, abuse of fast food;
- excessive physical activity, for example in athletes;
- persistent constipation or diarrhea, which increases the load on the anus and smooth muscles of the intestine;
- physiological characteristics of the large intestine;
- pregnancy and childbirth;
- heredity.
Most of these prerequisites can be eliminated and the development of hemorrhoids can be prevented by following preventive measures. But if the disease has already appeared, eliminating them can help in the treatment process. Contraindications for hemorrhoids include actions that exclude provoking factors.
There are many factors in the development of the disease that experts identify as critical. However, there are no absolutely exact reasons for the development of hemorrhoids. Doctors rather talk about the possible causes of hemorrhoids.
Predisposing factors for the development of hemorrhoids are often chronic constipation, prolonged sitting and a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse, and spicy foods. But most often, excessive physical effort leads to the development of hemorrhoids and prolapse of hemorrhoids. This problem often occurs in athletes involved in strength sports: weight lifting, various types of wrestling, strength sports.
Hemorrhoids often appear in loader workers, whose duties are directly related to heavy lifting, as well as professional builders and many other representatives of blue-collar professions. Housewives who have the habit of carrying heavy shopping bags are no exception.
Pregnant women often suffer from this unpleasant disease, since during this period they also experience increased stress on the intestines, pelvic organs and directly on the rectum, associated with pressure on these organs of the growing uterus. The process of childbirth itself is also associated with increased physical activity, when during pushing all the abdominal muscles tense, and the pelvic organs and intestines experience colossal overloads associated with the movement of the fetus along the birth canal.
Among the reasons that can provoke the development of hemorrhoids, the most common can be identified: genetic predisposition, constipation, poor diet, intense physical activity associated with lifting weights.
If we talk about the last factor, which quite often causes the appearance of hemorrhoids, then the relationship can be explained very simply. When a person lifts a heavy weight, at this time the pressure on the vessels located in the intestinal area increases significantly. As a result, the vessels expand, their walls weaken, as a result of which blood begins to stagnate here, and the process of hemorrhoid formation develops.
Of course, if a person lifts weights infrequently, then the likelihood that he will develop such a disease afterwards is not so high. Those at greater risk are those whose professional activities involve heavy lifting, for example, loaders and production workers. Also at risk are athletes who exercise with weight machines and barbells. Particularly dangerous in this case is the love for new records and achievements, which forces people to quickly increase their loads, exposing the body to great stress.
Also, the causes of the development of the disease include varicose veins in the legs. It also develops due to weakness of the walls of blood vessels, stagnation of blood, and systematic exposure of the body to heavy loads.
If the dilation of the veins is localized only in the legs, heredity also plays a role here, which increases the likelihood of developing the disease. In addition, if a person notices varicose veins on the legs, he should understand that in this case his tendency to develop hemorrhoids increases significantly. Therefore, you should take certain measures to prevent the disease, as well as immediately treat enlarged veins in the legs.
If we talk about the process of development of hemorrhoids itself, then it can be argued that the chain will consist of the same links: expansion of hemorrhoidal veins caused by a specific reason, accumulation of blood in the lower part of the intestine and its stagnation, formation of hemorrhoids. Accordingly, the principles of treatment for hemorrhoids will be the same if it is not complicated by infection or other consequences that may arise if the need for medical help is ignored for a long time.
- Heredity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Excessive strain when lifting heavy objects
- Bad habits, including drinking alcohol and smoking
- Spicy food and unhealthy diet
- Frequent constipation
Now that we have figured out what symptoms hemorrhoids have, let's figure out whether training is possible for hemorrhoids, and whether it is possible to perform strength exercises for hemorrhoids.
Let's take an example: there is a typical office employee who spends 8-10 hours every day sitting in a chair, doesn't go anywhere further than to get coffee, warms up during breaks by smoking a cigarette, and on Fridays relieves stress in his favorite bar with friends.
He decided to pump up his biceps for the summer and bought a gym membership, naturally he puffs diligently on the iron, trying to prepare his body for the beach season as soon as possible, this is exactly the case when actually working out in the gym, you can get hemorrhoids and find out what kind of hemorrhoids you have symptoms.
And why all? Yes, because the body, its veins and blood vessels are not ready for power loads, bad habits and poor lifestyle have made them weak and brittle, which contributes to the development of hemorrhoids.
Therefore, when coming to the gym, you should first gradually prepare your body for the loads, conduct 3-6 months of circuit training with a high number of repetitions under the supervision of a good trainer, and only then increase the training pace.
If you already have hemorrhoids and want to work out in the gym, or you are already working out and can’t imagine life without training, iron is your best friend, and you are not going to part with it, and the doctor and the Internet keep repeating one thing - do not lift weights more than 3 kg.
Recommended sports for patients with hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids and sports are quite compatible things. Here are examples of activities that are beneficial to health even in advanced stages of the disease.
- Swimming exercises are useful for many pathological processes. Hemorrhoids are no exception. Swimming can be practiced if you have hemorrhoids, since the weight of a person’s body in water decreases tens of times, and the entire load is distributed evenly across all the muscles of the body. During exercise, blood circulation in the blood vessels improves and congestion is prevented. Even pregnant women who have developed hemorrhoids practice swimming.
- Is it possible to run with hemorrhoids? It is possible, and even necessary. Running at a moderate pace speeds up blood flow and causes the abdominal muscles to naturally pump. Running is an excellent prevention of a common problem with hemorrhoids - constipation. Regular jogging prevents the disease from progressing to a more advanced stage. At the same time, the muscles of the lower extremity belt are strengthened, intestinal nutrition is improved due to oxygen-enriched arterial blood, and the regeneration processes of injured rectal tissues become intense.
- If running is not suitable for a person, he can opt for race walking. This sport provides benefits similar to jogging. Experts recommend starting with a distance of 2-3 km, gradually increasing the norm to 5-7 km per day. With the help of race walking, you can speed up the healing of hemorrhoids and correct your figure.
- If you have hemorrhoids, it is useful to do fitness and yoga. The first helps to get a boost of energy, the second helps to relax and stretch the body. Both types of sports eliminate congestion in the intestinal veins, normalize intestinal motility, and stimulate normal blood flow from the pelvis.
Is it possible to work out in the gym if hemorrhoids come out?
Unless there is an exacerbation of hemorrhoids, exercise, but do it carefully. You can go to the gym if the disease is in remission, but a sedentary lifestyle, on the contrary, aggravates the situation. To increase blood circulation and disperse congestion, it is useful to engage in fitness: jogging or walking on a treadmill.
With active leg work, blood circulation accelerates in the pelvic area. Orbitrek, which tones blood vessels, is very useful at different stages of hemorrhoids. In any case, exercise carefully, avoiding discomfort in the anus area.
Below we will look at exercises that are allowed and even recommended for the treatment of hemorrhoids, but in any case you must learn to control your breathing. Do not hold air in your lungs when performing movements - this leads to an increase in pressure in the abdominal area.
Beneficial exercise for hemorrhoids
The list of exercises can be performed provided that hemorrhoids are in the first or second stage. A severe degree of pathology is incompatible with physical activity and requires radical treatment.
- "Scissors". Exercise to pump up the lower abdominal muscles. You need to lie on the floor, raise your straight legs until they form a right angle with your body and alternately spread and cross them. Perform 20-30 repetitions.
- Raising the pelvis. Lie on your back, legs bent at the knees. Perform slow lifts of the pelvis, while straining the gluteal muscles, and lower smoothly to the starting position. The number of repetitions is 30 times.
- "Cat". To perform this exercise, you need to get on all fours. Smoothly bend your back into an arc, and then bend it down. Repeat 30-40 times.
- Movement on the buttocks. Sit on the floor with your back and legs straight in front of you. Raising one or the other buttock, move forward and backward. Do the exercise continuously for 10 minutes.
It doesn’t matter which sport from the list of “allowed” a person with hemorrhoids will engage in. The main thing is to listen to your body and give it the loads that it can handle. And then the dead point in the treatment of the disease will be overcome.
Be healthy!
Is it possible to pump up the press?
Loads on the abdominals will inevitably lead to additional tension in the gluteal area, so such exercises must be approached responsibly. There is a whole range of ways to work with the press, which strengthens the muscles of the anus and is designed to minimize pressure on hemorrhoids, while stimulating blood flow. Some of the exercises:
- Classic “birch tree”. From a lying position on your back, raise your legs and pelvis vertically above you, fix the stance for 2-3 minutes, then return to the starting position.
- "Scissors". Lying on your back, raise your straight legs 20-30 centimeters above the floor. Next, movements imitating cutting with scissors are performed. The number of repetitions starts from 20 times.
- Half bridge. In this exercise, you do not need to stand on your hands from a position lying on your back, but only lift your pelvis up as much as possible, squeezing your buttocks. After reaching the peak amplitude point, return to the starting position. An approximate standard is to do 3 sets of 30 repetitions.
Is it possible to exercise after hemorrhoid removal?
A fairly common question is whether it is possible to play sports after surgery to remove hemorrhoids? As already mentioned, a lot depends on the doctor’s recommendations. On average, if you listen to the opinion of doctors, from 1 to 3 months should pass after the operation, depending on the individual characteristics and condition of the veins.
We recommend not to neglect the instructions of the treating doctor in order to avoid relapse or other complications after hemorrhoid surgery, and then sports with hemorrhoids will not cause problems.
