This constant pressure can irritate the appendix, leading to the closure of its opening and causing disease. It also affects the blood supply to the appendix, leading to serious problems over time. As a result, symptoms can become severe as the appendix gets twisted and inflamed.
Inflammation of appendix is known as appendicitis which is quite painful. The main cause of appendicitis is blockage in the appendix due to chronic constipation. This blockage could be caused by a hardened piece of stool, swollen lymph tissue from other infections, a swallowed foreign object, or even a mucus plug. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to avoid complications like a ruptured appendix. The most common symptoms of appendicitis are pain in lower right abdomen, along with nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, bloating, fever, or difficulty passing gas.
It was observed that the root cause of appendicitis is chronic constipation and the anatomical position of the appendix. Swami Kuvalayananda ji, in 1924, through several X-ray experiments, established that Uddiyana and Nauli are the best preventive exercises for constipation in general and cecal constipation in particular. Additionally, if these practices are capable of preventing cecal stasis, they must equally be capable of preventing appendicitis resulting from it. Therefore, to minimise the risk of appendicitis, Yogic colon cleansing could be practiced to ensure no waste stays in the colon and potentially reaches the appendix.
Further, Swami Kuvalayanandaji’s research, using X-ray experiments, showed that certain yoga practices can help shift the position of the cecum and appendix away from the pressure of surrounding muscles. Techniques like Uddiyana and Nauli can lift the cecum and appendix upwards, while poses like Sirshasana and Sarvangasana can dislodge them from their normal spots. These movements relieve pressure on the appendix caused by muscles like the psoas, allowing better blood flow and reducing the risk of kinking. Overall, these yoga practices promote the natural mobility of the appendix and cecum, potentially preventing issues like appendicitis.
However, Swamiji has mentioned that these practices can be effective only in cases of chronic appendicitis or can be used as preventive practices. In acute appendicitis, Swamiji has recommended a surgical operation. Moreover, it was a common practice that a very small percentage of operations are done during the attack of appendicitis. Hence, Swamiji suggested that when the acute symptoms disappear, there is every scope for other remedies to be tried.
Swamiji reported a very interesting case regarding yoga practices and chronic appendicitis. Although this was not reported as a case study, the letter received from the young patient suffering from chronic appendicitis was published in the Yoga Mimamsa Journal in 1926. The letter stated that a young man experienced sudden abdominal pain in September 1924, which persisted despite various medical consultations. Diagnosed with chronic appendicitis, he endured the pain until discovering Yogic poses taught by Swami Kuvalayanandaji. Within 15 days of practicing these poses, he noticed significant improvement, and within two months, the pain disappeared entirely. Not only did the Yogic practices alleviate his pain, but they also boosted his vitality and mental and physical capacity. The patient was cured and advocated for the utility of Hatha-Yoga practices for chronic appendicitis. In fact, this was the first ever case report wherein yoga practices were successfully used as therapy and published in the form of a letter.
Reference: Swami Kuvalayananda (1926). Appendicitis and yogic remedies. 2(1), 48-54.
Ms. Anita Verma
Ms. Anita Verma is currently working as Research Assistant and Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. She has completed her Masters in Clinical Research from Cranfield University, UK
Mr. Sanjay Shete
Mr. Sanjay Shete is currently working as Research Assistant and Associate Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. He has completed his B.Sc. and B.M. Tech from Savitribai Phule Pune University.
Ms. Anita Verma
Ms. Anita Verma is currently working as Research Assistant and Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. She has completed her Masters in Clinical Research from Cranfield University, UK. She has done her B.Sc. in Microbiology and PGDPM from Mumbai University. She has conducted research projects on yoga and micronutrient absorption in urban and rural school children. She is highly experienced researcher with over 12 years of experience in the field. She has published several research papers in leading academic journals, making significant contributions to her field of study. She has also undertaken several case studies and published in peer reviewed journals.
Ms. Anita Verma
Ms. Anita Verma is currently working as Research Assistant and Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. She has completed her Masters in Clinical Research from Cranfield University, UK. She has done her B.Sc. in Microbiology and PGDPM from Mumbai University. She has conducted research projects on yoga and micronutrient absorption in urban and rural school children. She is highly experienced researcher with over 12 years of experience in the field. She has published several research papers in leading academic journals, making significant contributions to her field of study. She has also undertaken several case studies and published in peer reviewed journals.
Mr. Sanjay Shete
Mr. Sanjay Shete is currently working as Research Assistant and Associate Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. He has completed his B.Sc. and B.M. Tech from Savitribai Phule Pune University. He has also completed his M.Sc. in Biochemistry from Vinayaka Mission University. He is highly experienced researcher with over 22 years of experience in the field. He has published several research papers in leading academic journals, making significant contributions to his field of study. He is in-charge of pathology lab at SRD and has experience of more than 28 years in pathological laboratory testing.
Mr. Sanjay Shete
Mr. Sanjay Shete is currently working as Research Assistant and Associate Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. He has completed his B.Sc. and B.M. Tech from Savitribai Phule Pune University. He has also completed his M.Sc. in Biochemistry from Vinayaka Mission University. He is highly experienced researcher with over 22 years of experience in the field. He has published several research papers in leading academic journals, making significant contributions to his field of study. He is in-charge of pathology lab at SRD and has experience of more than 28 years in pathological laboratory testing.
Ms. Anita Verma
Ms. Anita Verma is currently working as Research Assistant and Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. She has completed her Masters in Clinical Research from Cranfield University, UK
Mr. Sanjay Shete
Mr. Sanjay Shete is currently working as Research Assistant and Associate Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. He has completed his B.Sc. and B.M. Tech from Savitribai Phule Pune University.
Ms. Anita Verma
Ms. Anita Verma is currently working as Research Assistant and Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. She has completed her Masters in Clinical Research from Cranfield University, UK. She has done her B.Sc. in Microbiology and PGDPM from Mumbai University.
Mr. Sanjay Shete
Mr. Sanjay Shete is currently working as Research Assistant and Associate Editor of Yoga Mimamsa Journal. He has completed his B.Sc. and B.M. Tech from Savitribai Phule Pune University.