Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a blockage in the kidney pelvis. The kidney pelvis, basically looks like a funnel which collects urine. It is located at the upper end of each urethra (tube that carries urine from kidney to the bladder). In normal cases, each of the two kidneys has a urethra. Kidney filters waste matters, excess water, blood and eliminated through urine. Urine is deposited in UPJ and then flows from the urethra into the bladder. In UPJ blockage the flow of urine slows down or stops completely which increases the risk of kidney failure. In most of the cases of UPJ blockage, only one kidney is affected. However, regular exercises and yoga is the perfect tool to prevent UPJ Obstruction.
Causes of UPJ Obstruction.
- Most UPJ barriers exist at birth, a sign that the structure of the urethra or kidney was not formed correctly as the embryo was developing.
- In some cases a family has a inherited tendency of barriers, but usually a single family member appears to be a hindrance.
There may be a variety of obstacles at birth, such as;
- The opening of the urethra is very narrow.
- There are mistakes in the number or arrangement of small muscle cells in the urethra. These cells are responsible for muscular contractions that push the urine down from the kidneys to the bladder.
- Abnormal folds in the walls of the urethra can act as valves.
- There may be bends in the passage of the urethra.
- The urethra connects to the kidney pelvis in a very high position, forming an abnormal angle between the urethra and the kidneys.
- An abnormal crossing of blood vessels can suppress or deform UPJ.
- Less often, kidney stones, upper urinary tract infections, surgery, abnormally crossing the blood vessel or swelling in the urinary tract can result in UPJ blockages in adults.
Symptoms.
With the use of ultrasound, most cases are found long before birth. After birth, infants and children have symptoms, such as;
- Abdominal mass.
- Urinary tract infection with fever.
- Lateral pain (upper abdomen or back pain, mostly with fluid intake).
- Kidney stones.
- Vomiting.
- Poor growth in infants.
- UPJ blockage can also cause pain without infection.
Some cases of UPJ hurdle are not clear. Urine can sometimes come out normally, and can sometimes be blocked. It hurts and goes away. Most of the children do not feel pain unless there is an infection in the urine or the blockage is damaged.
Best Exercises and Yoga for UPJ Obstruction.
Here are some best exercises and yoga to prevent the problem of UPJ obstruction. Regular practice can remove the symptoms and provide better relief.
Exercises for UPJ obstruction.
Side Leg Lift.
- Lie down on your side.
- Use the hand below to support you your head.
- Slowly lift your leg up and then back down to its original position.
- Turn and repeat same with second leg.
Back Leg Swing.
- Stand up straight.
- Hold the waist firmly to avoid disbalance.
- Slowly raise up your leg backwards keeping your back straight.
- Slowly raise down your leg to its original position.
*Note: it’s important not to arch behind your back.
Yoga For UPJ Obstruction.
Apart from the above mentioned exercises for UPJ obstruction yoga is also an effective tool. Regular practice is provide several positive health benefits.
Supta Vajrasana.
How Profitable Is?
This yoga asana can relieve kidney problems. In fact, diabetics are advised to do this yoga pose on regular basis. It can control diabetes as well as prevent other health problems.(1) Diabetes increased the risk of kidney related problems.(2) On this basis, it can be said that along with the regular exercises yoga is also beneficial for UPJ obstruction.
How To Do?
- Lay a yoga mat on a flat place and sit in the
- Place the hands with the hips on the ground parallel to the body.
- Now, breath normally, slowly bend backwards, first place the elbows on the ground and then move the whole body backwards.
- Now straighten your hands backwards. You can also place both your hands on the thighs of your feet if you want.
- Then turn the head slightly backwards, that is, towards the back.
- Now lift the back slightly from the middle. At this stage your back will look like a spring. It will have your back facing up while your head and shoulders will be adjacent to the floor.
- Stay in this position for a few seconds and breathe normally.
- Then gradually come into normal position.
- This yoga asana can be done for 5-10 minutes.
Caution.
- Avoid doing this yoga when there is pain in the elbow and back.
- This yoga should not be done even during pregnancy.
Ardha Matsyendrasana.
How Profitable Is?
The list of yoga for kidney includes ardha matsyendrasana. While performing this yoga asana, half of the spine turns, which can stimulate the kidneys and liver. This can help the kidneys work better. Also, the immune system may improve.
Scientific studies also believed that this yoga can improve the function of kidneys and liver. It can also be beneficial in prevention of diabetes, constipation, anorexia, urinary tract disorder, menstrual disorder, indigestion problem, asthma and fertility.(3)
How To Do?
- First lay the yoga mats and sit with the dandasana stretched straight forward.
- Keep in mind that the spine remains straight.
- Now, place the right leg next to the knee of the left foot, moving over the left foot, bending it past the knee.
- Then bend the left leg from the knee and place the heel of the left foot under the right hip.
- Try to hold the ankle of the right leg while crossing its left hand, above the right knee.
- Then bend your waist, neck and shoulders to the right, and look right in front of the right shoulder. Keep the spine straight during this time.
- Stay in the same position for a few seconds and breathe at a normal speed.
- Then gradually come into normal position.
- Do the same on the other side.
- This yoga can be done for about 7-10 minutes.
Caution.
- If there is a spinal disease, avoid doing this yoga.
- If there is any pain in the shoulders or waist, avoid doing this yoga.
- Do not do this yoga asana during pregnancy and menstruation.
Read Now: 14 Unexpected Health Benefits of Yoga |
Square Pose.
How Profitable Is?
Square pose is also effective for the kidneys. However, due to lack of research, no clear scientific evidence is available in this regard.
How To Do?
- Lay the yoga mat on the flat place and sit in the posture of sukhasana.
- Keep the spine straight.
- Now take a deep breath and tilt the body slightly towards the front.
- Then bend with elbows and rest on the ground in front.
- Then try to touch your forehead with the ground.
- Stay in this position for a few seconds and breathe at a normal speed.
- Then gradually come back to normal.
- This yoga asana can be done for about 5-7 minutes.
Caution.
- Avoid doing this yoga asana if you have any knee injuries.
- Understand the process of yoga well before doing it for the first time, if possible, consult a yoga instructor.
- Avoid doing this yoga if there is a spinal disease.
Ardha Dhanurasana.
How Profitable Is?
Doing this yoga asana can stretch the abdominal muscles, which can positively affect the kidneys. Therefore, ardha-dhanurasana pranayama can be considered beneficial for kidneys. However, no medical research has been conducted on this yoga asana in terms of kidneys.
How To Do?
- Lie down on your stomach with a yoga mat on a flat place and spread both hands forward. Note that your hands should be adjacent to the ground.
- Now lift the right leg while breathing and then exhale and bend from the knee.
- Then move the right hand backwards and try to hold the heel of the right leg.
- In the meantime, the left hand will remain on the ground in the front.
- Now try to bring the right hand, right leg towards the back and lift the chest slightly while breathing.
- The body will look like half of the bow in this situation.
- If possible, try to lift the left hand upwards.
- Now stay at this stage for a few seconds and then gradually return to normal.
- Now, do this process from the other side also.
- You can do this yoga for about 8-10 minutes.
Caution.
- Avoid doing this yoga during pregnancy.
- Do not do this yoga in chest pain or back pain.
- Avoid doing this yoga when the leg muscles are stretched.
Paripurna Navasana.
How Profitable Is?
Paripurna Navasana can effective for the kidney. All the main organs of the spine as well as the stomach are engaged while performing the paripurna navasana, which can help to stimulate the kidneys. So, this yoga asana can be beneficial for the kidneys. At present, no clear scientific evidence is available in this regard.
How To Do?
- Sit in the dandasana on a yoga mat. Keep the waist straight and keep the palms adjacent to the ground near the body.
- Exhale and lift your legs upwards to an angle of about 60 degrees.
- Now bend slightly backwards while breathing and stretch your hands forward, moving the hands parallel to the shoulder.
- The palms will face each other.
- Stay in this position for a few seconds and breathe at a normal speed.
- Now bring your hands back to the ground.
- Then exhale and bring the body forward, inhale and bring the feet down.
- Keep the waist straight during this time.
- 5-6 cycle can be done for about 5-10 minutes.
Caution.
Avoid doing this yoga if you have an injury to your knee or hand.
Bhujangasana.
How Profitable Is?
Bhujangasana Pranayama has proved beneficial for the kidneys. It is also known as cobra asana and sarpa asana. This yoga asana can stretch kidneys. It also increase the flow of blood to the kidneys.(4) So, it can be said that Bhujangasana is also an effective yoga for the kidneys. Find out the right way to do bhujangasana.
How To Do?
- First lie down on the stomach by laying a yoga mat at a flat place and place the forehead on the ground.
- Now keep your feet straight and make sure there is some space between the two legs.
- Then bring your palms equal to your shoulders.
- Lift the body upwards, applying pressure on the hands while breathing deeply.
- During this time your navel should remain adjacent to the ground.
- At the same time, both the elbows should be parallel to the shoulder.
- Now stretch your feet and raise your head up as much as possible.
- Keep in mind that the shoulders should stay away from the ear during this time.
- In this situation, stay for 15 to 30 seconds and breathe and exhale normally.
- Now slowly exhale and return to normal posture.
Caution.
- Avoid doing this yoga during pregnancy.
- This yoga should not be done when there is pain in the joints.
- It is advisable not to do this yoga during menstruation.
- It is suggested to avoid, if there is any injury to the wrists.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (it can cause pain, numbness, tingling and sensation in the hands and fingers). Avoid doing this yoga mudra if you are suffering from it.
- This yoga should also not be performed in case of abdominal surgery (stomach surgery due to a disease such as appendicitis, appendix etc.).
Read Now: 6 Best Core Strengthening Yoga Poses |
Balasana or Child Pose.
How Profitable Is?
Balasana can be done if you are doing yoga for kidney disease. In this situation, you have to sit exactly as the baby is in the mother’s womb. So, it is also known as child pose. Doing this yoga properly can relieve stress. This asana can also help in controlling blood pressure as well as curing heart diseases.(5) High blood pressure and stress is the key factor of kidney disease.(6), (7) In this way, apart from the above mentioned exercises, this yoga pose is also helpful to prevent UPJ obstruction.
How To Do?
- First spread a yoga mat on the flat place.
- Now kneel down on the mat and make sure the two ankles and heels are touch each other.
- Then stretch the knees slowly outwards and tilt the body forward.
- In the meantime, your torso will be between the thighs and the forehead will touch the ground.
- Now move both hands slowly forward.
- Keep in mind that both hands remain in the knee during this time.
- In this situation, try to touch both shoulders with the floor as much as possible.
- Now breathe and exhale normally and try to stay in the same position for about 30 seconds.
- After the time is over, lift the upper part of the body and slowly return to the initial stage.
Caution.
- Avoid doing this yoga in the problem of diarrhea.
- If there is any knee injury or pain, avoid doing this yoga.
- Patients with high blood pressure should avoid this yoga.
Read Now: 7 Effective Yoga Poses for Intermediates |
Dragon Pose.
How Profitable Is?
Dragon pose can be extremely beneficial if you are doing yoga to keep the kidneys healthy. Doing this yoga can increase kidney and spinal activity, which can be good for the kidney health. At present, scientific research is yet to be done on how this yoga asana can be used to keep the kidneys healthy.
How To Do?
- Take a yoga mat and stand on your knees.
- Then bend forward and close the palms to the ground.
- At this stage your posture will be like a cat or a cow.
- Now lift the right leg forward and place it between the two hands.
- Then move the left leg backwards and straighten it completely. In this case, the sole of your foot should be towards the sky.
- If your hand is not reaching the ground properly, you can also resort to something.
- Now lift your neck slightly in front like a dragon.
- Stay in this position for a while and breathe normally.
- Then slowly come back to the normal position.
- Do the same procedure later with the other leg.
- It can be practiced about 5 times.
Caution.
- Avoid doing this yoga if your heels are being treated or have pain.
- Should avoid this yoga during pregnancy.
- Avoid doing this yoga if there is any stretch in the back.
Bottom Line.
Therefore, it can be concluded that above mentioned exercises and yoga can be done on regular basis in order to prevent UPJ obstruction. However, if UPJ obstruction can happen since birth or persisting family heredity, so that time it is advisable to consult with your doctor and take the necessary step which is necessary for you.
+7 Sources
Freaktofit has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, educational research institutes, and medical organizations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and up-to-date by reading our editorial policy.1. Therapeutic Role of Yoga in Type 2 Diabetes : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6145966/2. Role of Yoga in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Hypothetical Review : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270010094_Role_of_Yoga_in_Chronic_Kidney_Disease_A_Hypothetical_Review3. ROLE OF ARDHA-MATSYENDRASANA ON DISEASES OF ANNAVAHA SROTAS IN PERSPECTIVE OF SHARIR : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326648697_ROLE_OF_ARDHA-MATSYENDRASANA_ON_DISEASES_OF_ANNAVAHA_SROTAS_IN_PERSPECTIVE_OF_SHARIR4. Postural Influences on the Hormone Level in Healthy Subjects: I. The Cobra Posture and Steroid Hormones : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227203482_Postural_Influences_on_the_Hormone_Level_in_Healthy_Subjects_I_The_Cobra_Posture_and_Steroid_Hormones5. Balasana or Child Pose : https://fssai.gov.in/snfwp/assets/img/workplace/story/file/Guidelines%20on%20Healthy%20Lifestyle%20&%20Nutrition.pdf6. Effect of Balasana on cardiac parameters among healthy medical students : https://www.njppp.com/?mno=2750887. Hypertension and kidney disease: a deadly connection : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18367025/