Are you experiencing pain and swelling near your anal opening? An extreme itching and tenderness around the anus, a feeling of fatigue throughout the day or having a bloody or smelly discharge? If the above indications describe your present state, then it's time to get checked right away as you might be suffering from Anal Fistula!

 

What Is Anal Fistula? 

An anal fistula is an inflammatory condition characterized by the formation of a small tunnel that connects an infected gland inside the anus to an opening on the skin around the anus. While the preliminary causes of an anal fistula are clogged anal glands, sores, ulcers and anal abscesses, it may also largely happen due to Crohn's disease, radiation treatment for cancer, external trauma, tuberculosis, diverticulitis and even STDs. An anal fistula needs no introduction to the people who are already suffering from this painful condition but for the unversed, it is usually manifested in the form of diarrhea, urinary tract infection, painful urination, pain while passing stools, bloody stool and cloudy urine, and fever.

Also Read: Anal Fissures: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

While a severe form of Anal Fistula does require immediate treatment alongside surgery and medications to heal completely, the doctor might suggest some restorative light exercises to help one cope with the pain and discomfort temporarily or even help in recovering post-surgery. And one such light form of exercise that has been practiced for a long time for curing several health aberrations is the healing therapy of Yoga.

Certain yoga postures when practiced with precision can extensively relax the anal muscles and ease bowel movements, while also boosting blood flow and diminishing the chances of constipation to prevent strain around the anal region and assist in speedy recovery.

Well, if you get approval from your treating doctor regarding the practice of Yoga, these restorative yoga postures help deal with the pain and discomfort and also heal post-surgery.

(Note: It is strictly recommended that in case you are performing Yoga post-surgery, you give a gap of 3-4 weeks and then gradually resume Yoga practice first with Pranayama with breathing exercises and then the following yoga postures)

Best Yoga Poses To Help Recover From Fistula Post Surgery

Vajrasana (Thunderbolt Pose)

Sit on your knees with your feet placed next to each other and your backbone and neck aligned in a straight line. Place your hands on your thighs with your palms touching the thigh. Now gaze straight ahead and sit in that posture for at least 30 seconds while taking long deep breaths. Relax and repeat the asana 5 times.

Benefits:

An incredibly easy posture, Vajrasana is the only pose that can be performed right after a heavy lunch as it plays a pivotal role in facilitating the complete digestion of food. It boosts blood circulation in the body, especially in the abdomen and the anus, which prevents strain and speeds up healing. Additionally, it is also useful for impeding premature greying of hair and stimulating hair growth.

Pavanamuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose)

Lie down straight on the floor with your backbone firmly positioned on the ground. Bend your legs, bring them to your chest and embrace them with both hands. Lift your head gradually off the floor and get your nose in between your knees. Be in this posture for a few seconds while you breathe in and out deeply, and then get back to the initial lying position.

Benefits:

The wind-relieving pose also works productively on the digestive system, by stimulating and regulating the digestive juices. The firm pressure on the tummy helps in expelling trapped gases, thus stimulating digestion and lessening bloating. It also assists in loosening up the muscles in the abdomen, buttocks, and anus, and provides relief from the pain emanating due to fistula and piles.

Also Read: Yoga For Piles: Spectacular Yogasanas To Deal With Haemorrhoidal Discomfort

Malasana (Garland Pose)

Start on the floor in a comfortable squat position, with heels flat on the ground, thighs wide apart and feet placed closer to each other. Exhale, the lean the body forward, to fit your torso in between the thighs. Fold the hands in a praying position, and place the elbows on the inner thighs, while applying some pressure. Swing your arms slightly, elevate your heels, then gradually come back to the initial squat position and relax.

Benefits:

The garland pose is beneficial to help open up the hips and groin to counter the tightness one develops from sitting too much. This pose is extremely useful in alleviating the stress caused due to excessive straining during bowel movements thus helping in the quick healing of the anus after the fistula is surgically removed.

Balasana (Baby Pose)

Sit with your knees on the floor and your spine straight. Now slowly bend your body forward such that both thighs touch the chest. Keep extending your body forward until your head is beyond the knee and firmly touches the ground. Straighten both hands backwards on either side of your legs with your palms facing the ground. Be in this stance for 20-25 seconds, take a few seconds of break and again repeat 2-3 times.

Benefits:

The Baby Pose is one of the best postures for combatting the pain emanating from the fistula and haemorrhoids. This posture resembling a child in the womb not only helps boost circulation around your anal area but also readily alleviates constipation while loosening up your lower back, hips, and legs. It also gives a good massage to the internal organs and promotes blood circulation throughout the body.

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-facing Dog Pose)

Come on all fours with your knees placed hip-width apart and your hands kept shoulder-width apart. Now, slowly lift your hips off the floor while straightening your elbows and knees. Ensure that your body takes the shape of an inverted ‘V’. Now firmly, press your hands into the ground and stretch your neck such that your ears touch the inner arms, and you stare towards your navel. Hold this posture for five-eight breaths and then return to the initial position.

Benefits:

The downward-facing dog pose is one of the most effective yogasanas for stretching the entire body including the neck, the spine and the abdominal muscles. Not only does it stimulate blood circulation, but also opens up blocked channels throughout the body to alleviate stress. The inverted posture also eases pain from constipation, and remedies piles and fistula.