We all know that being active and doing exercise for kidney stones is very beneficial and helps to expel it faster and easier. The important question is, what are the best exercises for those who have kidney stones? Which exercise movements help to expel stones the most? In fact, kidney stones are called solid masses that are formed due to the accumulation of waste materials in the kidneys. To expel kidney stones, it is necessary to have a balanced diet in addition to exercise, stop consuming foods rich in oxalate and salt, and drink more fluids throughout the day.
Exercising and even half an hour of walking during the day can help expel kidney stones faster and prevent kidney-related problems and diseases. Join us in this article from Human Health Mag to introduce you to the best exercises and activities for kidney stones and tell you important points you need to know.
Does Exercise Help to Pass a Kidney Stone?
Can exercise help dissolve kidney stones? Yes, walking and exercise for kidney stones are generally very beneficial and can be effective in preventing and eliminating kidney stones; however, exercise itself is not usually considered a primary treatment for the elimination of acute kidney stones. Kidney stone elimination depends on factors such as the size of the stone, its location, and individual anatomy.
First, let’s see what kidney stones are? As we said, kidney stones are solid masses that form when waste products accumulate and crystallize due to a lack of fluids in the body. Kidney stones usually originate in the kidneys, but they can move anywhere in the urinary tract. You should note that exercise plays an effective role in the proper functioning of the human body and, as a result, the elimination of kidney stones.
Benefits of Exercise To Flush Out Kidney Stones
The most important benefits of exercise for kidney stones are as follows:
Improves kidney function
- Regular exercise such as seated exercises for seniors makes all the organs of the body work properly. Exercise can also be effective in the case of kidney stones. Exercise improves kidney function and thus helps to eliminate a number of kidney-related diseases.
Prevents kidney stones
- Regular and gentle exercise reduces the likelihood of developing kidney stones in most people, even the elderly, in the first place. In addition, moderate-intensity exercise such as pilates for elderly will help improve kidney function and also prevent stones from getting bigger. Gentle exercises such as running and jumping can reduce the likelihood of salts and minerals sticking to the stones, thereby controlling the size of the stones.
Makes it easier to pass and eliminate stones
- Exercising regularly helps the process of passing small kidney stones through the urine naturally. In some cases, the stones do not pass through the urethra on their own and remain in one place. In other words, the stones cannot be eliminated without external help. In such cases, the effect of exercise in eliminating kidney stones is determined and exercise can help facilitate the movement of stones so that they can be eliminated from the body through urine.
- Please note that exercise is beneficial and effective for many kidney stone patients; but for others, it has no effect. Sometimes kidney stones are very large and cannot be eliminated naturally, but the good news is that cautious exercise can be beneficial in moving stones naturally. We recommend that you consult your doctor before exercising. You can get your appropriate exercise program from trainers and sports experts and start your exercise safely.
Which Exercise to Treat Kidney Stones is Suitable?
As we explained above, exercise for kidney stones can help these people better fight their disease or improve their quality of life. We usually do not recommend exercises that put pressure on the abdomen and kidneys. Also, intense activities can cause stones to irritate the walls of the urinary tract. Such heavy physical activities can worsen the pain caused by kidney stones. Below we will introduce some exercises for kidney stones. These exercises are considered the best option for passing kidney stones:
- Walking: Walking is a very safe and easy form of exercise that will be suitable for almost everyone. Walking can be done anywhere and at any time. People who have no previous experience with exercise can start with a short, easy, five-minute walk and then increase it to 10 minutes. We recommend that you pay attention to your body and be aware of any signs of pain or discomfort. If everything goes well, slowly increase the duration of your walk.
- Yoga and Flexibility Exercises: These exercises help the body to be more flexible and breathing exercises are useful for managing pain or stress; you can do yoga on a daily basis. Meditation and yoga help keep the mind away from stress and tension. Overall, this exercise can be very beneficial for kidney stones.
- Dance: Put on your favorite music and dance slowly. Dancing is not a strenuous exercise and can be very fun and invigorating; you can even enjoy dancing with family or friends. We recommend that you do not neglect this exercise for kidney stones.
- Swimming: Swimming is a great form of exercise that will be beneficial for everyone. Since water puts little pressure on the joints, this exercise is a great option for kidney stones.
Introducing Other Exercises for People With Kidney Stones
It is time to introduce the best exercise for kidney stones that you can easily do at home and use its benefits to remove kidney stones. These exercises include:
- Kneeling on the ground
- Lying back fillet on the mat
- Indian swimming
- Knee stretching inside the abdomen
- Rope jumping
- Pelvic stretching with internal rotation
Things to Know About Exercise for Kidney Stones
If you have kidney stones or even if you have a history of them (your kidneys are prone to forming stones), there are certain exercises and activities that you should definitely do with caution or avoid altogether to reduce your risk and injury. Here are some tips to exercising with kidney stones
to know:
- Avoid vigorous exercise: Activities that involve quick or intense movements, such as running, jumping, or intense aerobic exercise, can potentially increase your risk of passing kidney stones, especially if you are prone to calcium oxalate stones. These strenuous exercises can strain your kidneys and obstruct your urinary tract.
- Avoid exercise that causes dehydration: Vigorous exercise in a hot environment without adequate fluid intake can lead to dehydration. Dehydration can increase the concentration of minerals in your urine, making it more likely that crystals will form and turn into stones. Therefore, it is important to stay well hydrated before, during, and after exercise.
- Exercise in moderate weather and temperatures: Exercising in very hot and humid conditions can lead to dehydration and may not be suitable for people with kidney stones. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can increase the risk of kidney stones.
- Get enough rest and recovery: Overtraining or not enough recovery time between intense workouts can potentially lead to dehydration and increase the risk of kidney stones. Adequate rest and recovery are essential for overall health, including kidney health.
- Use supplements cautiously: Some people take high doses of supplements, such as vitamin C, calcium, or certain herbal remedies, for exercise purposes. Taking too much of some supplements can increase the risk of stone formation. Consult a nutritionist before taking supplements, especially if you have a history of kidney stones.
- Eat a proper diet: Following a balanced, healthy diet, along with exercise, will not only control your weight, but it will also help prevent and treat kidney stones and make you feel healthier.
Concluding Remarks
In this article, we have introduced some exercise for kidney stones. In general, exercise can have a great effect on the elimination of kidney stones. Exercise activities such as walking, light jogging, swimming and yoga help to eliminate stones and reduce their size by improving blood flow and increasing urine volume. Also, gentle resistance exercises put less pressure on the kidneys and improve kidney function. To avoid injury, exercise should be done gradually and in consultation with a doctor. Drinking enough water is very important to prevent dehydration and facilitate the elimination of stones.
We’re curious to hear your thoughts! What’s your take on this topic? Comment below and join the conversation; your opinion could spark new ideas!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Exercise Help to Eliminate Kidney Stones?
Exercising, walking and running slowly help to eliminate kidney stones more easily, but in general, physical activity alone is not effective in most cases, and having a proper diet and drinking plenty of fluids is also essential.
What is the Fastest way to Relieve Kidney Stones?
To quickly eliminate kidney stones, it is necessary to use effective medications and plenty of water under the supervision of a specialist doctor, and reduce salt and oxalate-rich foods.
How to Prevent Kidney Stones?
To prevent kidney stones, try to exercise regularly, drink plenty of water, and reduce salt, animal proteins, and oxalate-rich foods.
How Much Exercise Should we do to Eliminate Kidney Stones?
In order to eliminate kidney stones, it is best to exercise three times a week for 30 minutes each time.
What Type of Exercise is Useful for Eliminating Kidney Stones?
You should not use intense exercises at all to eliminate kidney stones. Keep in mind that some exercises cause heavy sweating and dehydrate the body, so it is better to use light, low-intensity exercises.