Psychosocial stress may worsen your IBD symptoms and weaken the effectiveness of your treatment. Stress may also increase pain. Therefore, stress management in IBD is important.
In a study made by Garcia-Vega and Fernandez-Rodriguez (2004) it was found that people with Crohn's disease who performed relaxation techniques experienced reduced tiredness, constipation, abdominal pain and swelling of the abdomen.
Relaxation techniques can increase your body-image, ability to relax, and correct breathing methods. It relaxes your muscles and decreases your oxygen consumption, breathing frequency, pulse rate, and blood pressure. It may also reduce pain, anxiety, and general ill-feelings. There are many different relaxation techniques, for example muscle relaxing and meditation. A calm place and a sufficient amount of time are needed for a relaxation session.
