It may come as a surprise that at the Wellness Station, we are able to help with the gastrointestinal condition known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
While we do not claim to directly treat the gastrointestinal system, many of our clients with IBS and related conditions have found great relief from our approach. IBS is closely related to stress and anxiety- what is going on in the mind and in the gut have a bidirectional relationship. In fact, one study found that 44% of people with IBS had a comorbid anxiety disorder, compared to 8% of people without IBS.
This poses the chicken or the egg question: is my IBS causing me to have anxiety, or is my anxiety triggering my IBS? Regardless of the etiology, finding appropriate ways to manage stress and anxiety can help people avoid flare ups and find relief from the painful symptoms of this disease.
We understand the connection between mental and physical health. There is no clear division between the two, as we are deeply integrated organisms with a variety of systems that depend on each other. In fact, our gut has its own nervous system! The intestines contain around 500 million neurons, which are connected to the brain through a vast network of nerves, including the large vagus nerve which is extremely important for modulating digestions, heart rate, mood, and inflammation.
By calming down the nervous system, we help to shift ourselves into a more harmonious state, which supports long-term health, decreases anxiety, improves digestion, and fosters feelings of well-being. This is a function of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is known colloquially as the "rest and digest" system, as opposed to a highly aroused "fight or flight" state, which is a function of the sympathetic nervous system, the latter of which can trigger IBS flare ups.
We provide interventions to help our clients achieve a parasympathetic state, which may include body scans, meditation, mindfulness, breath work, and gentle movement.
A client of ours (we will call her Tonya to maintain her anonymity) shares the following from her experience with our work together-
"Instruction in meditation and breath control can help turn down the volume on pain by focusing the mind elsewhere. There seems also to be a long-term beneficial effect."
Movement and exercise can be extremely helpful for those suffering from IBS. Regular physical activity decreases stress, promotes healthy bowel function, and certain movements can further assist peristalsis (wave-like muscle contractions that push the contents of the digestive tract towards the exit). This is very useful for those suffering from constipation and difficulty clearing gas.
Tonya shares regarding a movement lesson that has been particularly helpful for her
painful symptoms-
"The move where you lie on tummy and drift legs to side is one of the most consistently gas relieving postures I've ever tried... that whole sequence, from lying prone to massage the belly to drifting legs to thread the needle. Very helpful!"
Here is a video showing the particular movement sequence Tonya is referring to, as well as another movement that has been helpful for people with digestive issues:
In addition to providing strategies to calm the nervous system and engage in mindful movement practices, we can also provide abdominal massage, as well as resources for dietary management based on the current best evidence. Don't let your IBS limit your quality of life any longer- we can help you move past it!
Written by Jacob Tyson, DPT - Physical Therapist, Yoga Instructor and The Wellness Station Team