There’s no single hemorrhoidal treatment that works for every patient out there. And if you’ve struggled with the condition for years, mainstream medication may not suit you.
In these cases, people often explore alternative treatments that may help their condition. I’m no medical expert, and it’s not in my place to embrace or dismiss alternative practices that help hemorrhoids.
However, taking an unbiased look into how these remedies work and what they offer is a good first step toward choosing the right treatment.
An Overview of Alternative Therapies for Hemorrhoids
First, let’s get a bird’s eye view of what types of alternative medicines and treatments exist for hemorrhoids. Then, we’ll dive deeper into a few of the most commonly observed and endorsed therapies.
By alternative therapies, I mean treatments that are lesser-known and not recommended under mainstream medicine in most instances. So, your city’s general hospital may not have a Yoga section meant for hemorrhoidal patients. But that doesn’t mean it offers no benefits for the condition.
Most alternative treatments for hemorrhoids include traditional and Oriental treatments. And if you ask around, you’ll find that the results offer mixed reactions in people.
So, acupuncture may serve as a strategy to manage hemorrhoidal pain and discomfort. In other cases, Yoga may come up as a way to regulate overall wellness and, by extension, alleviate hemorrhoidal symptoms.
However, many people experience the healing benefits of these treatments and swear by them. For others, they may appear as gimmicks or quack practices that have zero benefits for hemorrhoidal symptoms.
Regardless of which ‘camp’ you belong to, the wisest course of action is understanding the therapies and how they work. With more insights and understanding of the treatment, we can arrive at a fair conclusion about these alternatives and their advantages.
Acupuncture for Hemorrhoids: What to Expect
Acupuncture is a category of traditional Chinese medicine where tiny needles get inserted into selective spots on your skin. Practitioners believe that these strategic little stabs stimulate your body to relieve pain, discomfort, and other unpleasant effects in the body.
The first thing to expect with acupuncture is the experience of small needles poking and piercing into your skin. That may sound dreadful at first. But the needles are so thin and pointy that you don’t feel much of the process. Expect some mild discomfort but no extraordinary pain if done correctly.
The acupuncturist will examine your physical condition and check for specific signs. This assessment serves to ensure that you get the right dosage, sessions, and execution. For instance, he or she may study the strength of your pulse or the severity of your hemorrhoidal pain.
The acupuncturist will then advise the number of sessions you may need. Each session involves multiple needles pierced into strategic places (called pressure points) that are meant to trigger specific responses from your body.
You may also undergo multiple sessions spread over several weeks, depending on the progress of your condition.
If done correctly, you should feel less pain from the symptoms, and the general discomfort that comes with hemorrhoids will also reduce.
Yoga for Hemorrhoids: Helpful Poses and Practices
Another Oriental treatment considered widely for general health is Yoga. This therapy combines mindfulness, specific body postures, breathing techniques, and meditation to help your body achieve a more wholesome and healthier state.
Yoga may simulate pelvic or kegel exercises that promote better abdominal health. So, there’s a good argument supporting this practice as an alternative therapy for hemorrhoids.
- The garland pose (Malasana) requires you to squat on the floor and reach your elbows inside your knees. It promotes better blood circulation and can release physical tension from your abdomen, which is good for hemorrhoids.
- Poses that involve propping up your legs against the wall (like Viparita Karani) helps the lower body find relief and may reduce the inflammation in the rectal area.
- The child’s pose (Balasana) requires you to kneel and sit on the back of your heels. This position, along with extended arms, can help the lower body relax and release tense muscles in the rectal and abdominal areas.
- Any deep breathing exercises in Yoga can help relax your body (and the swollen hemorrhoidal veins). Deep mindful breathing can also relieve stress which remains a common cause of worsening hemorrhoids.
Other Alternative Therapies to Consider for Hemorrhoids
A simple search online on alternative and unconventional remedies for hemorrhoids will return several other practices. These remedies may range from homeopathy or Ayurveda (Indian herbal medicine) to incense burning or mind hacks.
Remember that every alternative treatment out there is not equally reliable. But there’s evidence suggesting that some people experience healing and relief from some of these treatments.
- Homeopathy is an alternative hemorrhoidal treatment that involves using compounds like Pulsatilla, Sulpher, or Aloe to help the body fight the hemorrhoidal symptoms.
- Ayurveda offers a wide range of herbal and plant remedies that aim to rebalance the body’s natural chemicals and manage hemorrhoids.
- Some alternative practices involve the burning of incense. The aroma may help you relax and draw attention away from the hemorrhoidal discomfort.
- Mind exercises and mental therapies may attempt to overcome psychological issues and behaviors that sustain the hemorrhoids.
Safety Tips When Trying Alternative Therapies for Hemorrhoids
Remember that alternative treatments for hemorrhoids all include conditions and implications once you start practicing them.
- People with bleeding disorders or poor resistance to foreign objects in the body may experience higher risks from acupuncture.
- Yoga performed incorrectly may lead to more injury instead of relief. Ensure that any poses and postures you try are supervised by qualified practitioners.
- Homeopathy involves much more risks and side effects because it uses solutions that may aggravate the hemorrhoids.
- Aromatic incense or mind exercises may prove wasteful if performed with little supervision or expertise. Plus, even if they work, they’re most likely temporary measures that offer no healing qualities.
The biggest safety tip for any alternative hemorrhoidal treatment is to consult qualified medical professionals first.
Conclusion
There’s no shortage of alternative medicines and treatments available for hemorrhoids. However, not all of them offer equal benefits or prove worthwhile.
Always consult, ask, and seek advice from your doctor to verify if the treatment will suit your and your condition.
