Best Yoga Poses for Kidney Stones Pain: Natural Remedies at Home

Can yoga help with kidney stone pain? The answer varies from person to person. What is constant is that kidney stone pain is often considered one of the worst pains people experience. Patients have often been quoted as saying that kidney stone pain is even worse than childbirth pain. So, for such severe pain, can yoga help? 

The answer is yes. It can help you manage pain and find your strength through the pain. It can also assist in the passage of small stones. But yoga or lifestyle modifications are not an alternative to medical treatment. So, how does yoga help with kidney stone pain? And what are the yoga asanas that are the most effective? Let’s answer all of these questions, starting with a highlight of what kidney stones are.

Can Yoga Help Relieve Kidney Stone Pain? Quick Answer

• Yes, yoga can help you relieve kidney stone pain by improving blood circulation to the organ and supporting overall kidney function. 
• Some yoga poses also stimulate abdominal organs, which may help in the passage of small kidney stones through the urinary tract. 
• Regular yoga practice can also reduce pain, help you manage discomfort, and reduce bloating. The benefits are mostly present in mild and moderate cases.

What Are Kidney Stones?

Definition: Kidney stones are crystalline formations in your kidneys. They are formed when certain minerals (calcium, oxalate, and uric acid) stagnate and crystallise in your kidneys. There are a number of kidney stone types, which are defined by their mineral makeup.

Where they form: Kidney stones form inside the kidneys or the urinary tract. The kidney stones that form inside the kidneys can stop the kidneys from functioning normally and cause complications. The kidney stones that form in the urinary tract can cause a stoppage in the flow of urine out of your body and cause complications.

Why they hurt: Kidney stones hurt because they are stopping your body from functioning normally. When your kidneys are trying to purify blood, the stones stop the kidneys from functioning optimally, which causes pain. Similarly, when the kidney stone is passing through or stuck in your urinary tract, it causes pain due to the sharp edges of the stone pushing against your urinary tract.

What Causes Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones form when certain minerals crystallise in your kidneys or urinary tract due to an excess amount of said minerals in your body. The minerals in question are calcium, uric acid, and oxalate. Here are the common causes and risk factors of kidney stones.

Common Causes

• Dehydration: This is one of the most common causes of kidney stones. Not drinking enough water leads to concentrated urine, which has a higher chance of crystallisation.
• High-oxalate Diet: If you consume a diet that’s rich in spinach, nuts, and chocolate. It can increase your body’s oxalate levels.
• Excess salt or protein intake: If you have a high-sodium diet, it can increase your calcium and uric acid levels in your body.
• Genetics: A family history of kidney stones increases your risk of the condition.

Risk Factors

• If you drink less water every day, that’s a risk factor for kidney stones.
• If you have a sedentary lifestyle, that’s a risk factor for kidney stones.
• If you have digestive issues, including conditions like IBS or frequent diarrhoea, it can increase your risk of kidney stones.

How Does Yoga Help With Kidney Stones?

While the statement that yoga helps with kidney stones is true, the question remains: how? Here’s how yoga helps with kidney stones.

How Yoga Helps?

• Improves blood circulation: Yoga postures enhance blood flow to the kidneys. The enhanced blood flow helps with better kidney functioning and flushes out waste.
• Stimulates abdominal organs: Certain yoga poses gently compress and stretch the abdominal area. This helps in activating the kidneys, bladder, and the digestive system. The activation helps the organs function better.
• Reduces inflammation and pain: Breathing techniques and movement helps relax muscles in the body. The easing of muscles can help with cramping, bloating, and discomfort associated with kidney stones.

What Yoga Can & Cannot Do

• Yoga can help you manage small kidney stones and aid in their passing
• Yoga can help you with mild pain relief, improved urine flow, and kidney support
• Yoga cannot help you with stone pain for large kidney stones, severe blockages, or infection
• Yoga cannot be a replacement for medical treatment in serious cases

Myth vs Fact

Myth: Yoga can dissolve kidney stones

Fact: Yoga can only help in the passage of small stones naturally. It cannot aid in the dissolving of kidney stones.

Myth: Practicing yoga alone can help you get through kidney stones

Fact: Yoga is not an alternative to medical treatment. It can only be used as a supplementary kidney stone management technique.

5 Best Yoga Poses To Remedy Kidney Pain

1. Ustrasana (Camel Pose) / Back-Bending Yoga Posture:

How to do it

• Kneel on the floor
• Keep your thighs in an upright position
• Place your hands on your heels
• Bend your body backwards while keeping your chest lifted
• Hold the pose while breathing steadily

Duration

Hold the pose for 10 to 20 seconds. Perform 4 to 5 repetitions.

Benefits for kidney stones

• Improves oxygen flow to the kidneys
• Supports detoxification of the body
• Strengthens the lower back and posture

2. Uttanpadasana (Leg-Up Pose):

How to do it

• Lie flat on your back
• Keep your arms at your sides
• Slowly lift both legs upward
• Lift them up to a 90-degree angle
• Keep your legs straight while lifting
• Hold the position and then gently lower your legs

Duration

• Hold the position for 15 to 20 seconds. Perform 4 to 5 repetitions.

Benefits for kidney stones

• It stimulates the abdominal organs
• It helps strengthen core and pelvic floor muscles
• It supports overall kidney and digestive function

3. Pawanmuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose):

How to do it

• Lie on your back
• Bring your knees to your chest
• Hug your knees with your arms
• Interlock the fingers of your hands and pull your knees towards your chest
• Lift your head slightly when you’re bringing your knees closer to you

Duration

• Hold the pose for 20 to 30 seconds. Perform 4 repetitions.

Benefits for kidney stones

• Helps relieve gas, bloating, and abdominal pressure
• May relieve constipation and promote digestion and urine flow
• May help ease kidney stone pain

4. Dhanurasana (Bow Pose):

How to do it

• Lie down on your stomach
• Bend your knees upward
• Hold your ankles with your hands
• Lift your chest up and form a bow shape with your body

Duration

• Hold the pose for 15 to 20 seconds. Perform 4 to 5 repetitions.

Benefits for kidney stones

• Stimulates kidney and abdominal organs
• Improves flexibility and circulation
• Reduces stress and muscle tension

5. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose):

How to do it

• Lie on your stomach
• Put your palms near your shoulders
• Inhale deeply and lift your upper body upward
• Keep your lower body grounded
• Look forward when you’re raised and slowly breathe out

Duration

• Hold the pose for 15 to 20 seconds. Perform 4 to 5 repetitions

Benefits for kidney stones

• Improves blood circulation to the kidneys
• Strengthens spine and abdominal muscles
• Supports overall kidney function

Which Yoga Pose is Best For Kidney Stone Pain?

Not all yoga poses perform the same for your kidney stones. Some kidney stones are better for pain reduction. Some are focused on stimulating kidney function. While others are focused on improving circulation. The most effective approach is choosing the right pose based on your primary symptoms.

Quick Verdict

• Best yoga pose for immediate pain relief: Pawanmuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose)
• Best for kidney stimulation: Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
• Best overall for kidney stones: Combination of all five poses

Comparison Table

Natural Home Remedies for Kidney Stones Pain

Natural remedies are a great assistance to yoga when it comes to managing kidney stone pain. However, all natural remedies work best when you have proper hydration and a balanced diet every day.

1. Lemon Juice + Olive Oil

How it works

Lemon juice contains citric acid. This acid is good for breaking up calcium-based stones. Considering calcium-based kidney stones are the most common, citric acid has a good chance of helping you dissolve kidney stones. Additionally, olive oil acts as a natural lubricant. This helps ease the passage of kidney stones down the urinary tract.

How to take it

• Mix 60 grams of fresh lemon juice 
• Add 60 grams of extra virgin olive oil
• Drink the mixture twice a day
• Follow up with a glass of water

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

How it works

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) contains acetic acid. This is the same as the citric acid from lemon juice. The acid has the potential to help dissolve kidney stones and even reduce the chances of more stone formation. It is important to note that apple cider vinegar first softens kidney stones and only dissolves small stones over a long period with continuous consumption.

How to take it

• Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a large glass of water
• Sip the water throughout the day, don’t have to drink it all at once
• Sip the water, specifically before meals

3. Basil Juice with Honey

How it works

Basil is rich in antioxidants and supports kidney function. The same benefits are possessed by honey. Both these ingredients get together and can help reduce the inflammation and discomfort that’s caused by kidney stones.

How to take it

• Take 1 tablespoon of fresh basil juice
• Mix it with 1 teaspoon of honey
• Consume the mixture 2 to 3 times a day

4. Wheatgrass Juice

How it works

Wheatgrass acts as a natural detox agent. It helps increase urine flow from your body and also helps in the flushing out of small kidney stones thanks to the increased urine output.

How to take it

• Drink about 100 ml of wheatgrass juice
• Drink it up to three times a day
• Add lemon juice to the mixture to make it taste better

Best Remedy for Quick Relief

For fast relief take lemon juice and olive oil every day. It has the best potential to help you get relief from pain as it helps in the breaking down of smaller stones and the removal of small kidney stones from the body. However, the most important thing here is consistency. Having the concoctions everyday increases its chances of working more effectively.

Diet Tips to Prevent Kidney Stones

When you’re having kidney stones, it is important to both eat and prevent eating certain food items. The process can keep urine diluted and help avoid excess builtup of stone-forming substances.

What to Eat?

• Drink Plenty of Water: Aim to drink more than 2 litres of water per day.
• Citrus fruits: Have lemons and oranges as they are rich in citrate and they help in the prevention of kidney stones.
• Calcium-rich foods: Foods like yogurt and milk can help you bind oxalate in the gut, however, you must take calcium-rich food in moderation.
• Fruits and vegetables: They provide hydration, fibre, and essential nutrients for your body to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

What to Avoid?

• High Sodium Foods: Excess salt intake can increase the calcium content of your urine
• Oxalate-rich Foods: Avoid eating too much spinach, almonds, or chocolates
• Excess Animal Protein: Eating animal protein too much can increase uric acid levels in your body
• Sugary and Processed Food: These food items may contribute to metabolic imbalance

Do vs Avoid

Conclusion

Managing kidney stones naturally sounds good in theory but it has its limitations. Kidney stones is a serious medical condition and the longer you delay your diagnosis and medical treatment, it opens the doors to higher chances of kidney complications. So, make sure you never depend on yoga and diet as a primary treatment for kidney stones. 

Medical treatment is the best and the safest way to deal with kidney stones. If you have the symptoms of kidney stones, be sure to set up a consultation with our specialists at the MASSH Super Specialty Hospital. We can help you get kidney stone treatment that’s safe and highly effective. 

We specialise in minimally invasive surgical treatment that revolves around safe removal of kidney stones from your body and fast recovery for patients. Check out our website to learn more and visit us today to get the best kidney stone care in Delhi.

Medically Reviewed By 

MASSH Super Speciality Hospital Advanced Urology Team

Our highly experienced urologists have expertise in advanced treatment options for kidney stones, including specialised minimally invasive surgical treatments like ureteroscopy, retrograde intrarenal surgery, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Treatments are often accompanied by lifestyle and metabolic guidelines for long-term sustainable urological health.

FAQs

Can stress cause kidney stones?

No, stress cannot directly cause kidney stones. However, stress can be a contributing factor to the risk of kidney stones. High stress levels are often accompanied by dehydration and poor eating habits. In such cases, all these factors together can contribute to stone formation. So, this is why it is very important to manage your stress levels alongside adequate hydration to prevent kidney stones.

Why is the pain so intense?

Kidney stone pain is intense because the stone moves through the narrow ureters and it blocks the urine flow. In fact, even when the stones are inside the kidneys, they prevent the kidneys from functioning properly. This leads to cramping, which is known as renal colic. When the stones are moving through the ureters, the ureter also spasms in response and further intensifies the pain.

Can stones form despite drinking water?

Yes, kidney stones can form despite drinking water. This is because there are certain kidney stone types that can form despite adequate hydration. Factors like high-oxalate diet, excess salt intake, genetics, or underlying medical conditions can still lead to kidney stones. Drinking water is a preventative measure, but it doesn’t guarantee no kidney stones.

Are all stones calcium-based?

No, all kidney stones are not calcium-based. There are other minerals that cause kidney stones, too, including oxalate and uric acid. There are also struvite kidney stones that are caused by infections and cystine stones, which are caused by a rare genetic condition.

Can kidney stones recur?

Yes, kidney stones can recur in patients who have had them once. The reason for this is not following the lifestyle and dietary factors that were required. If you go back to a high-sodium and high-oxalate diet and drink less water, you will have a higher risk of kidney stones again.

Is exercise safe if I have kidney stones?

Yes, exercise is safe if you have kidney stones. However, high-intensity exercise is not suitable if you have kidney stones. You should try low intensity exercise like yoga. This will help you lower pain and promote healing. However, if you have discomfort while performing exercise with kidney stones, please consult a doctor.

Do all stones need surgery?

No, all kidney stones do not require surgery. If you have small kidney stones, they can be treated with home remedies and medicinal treatment. The general rule of thumb is that if your kidney stone is larger than 5mm, it may require surgical treatment.

Can kidney stones pass without symptoms?

Yes, very small stones called gravel can pass through urine with adequate hydration daily without symptoms. However, this is only possible when you’re not having other lifestyle and dietary factors that are actively increasing your risk of kidney stones.

Can I eat spinach/nuts with kidney stones?

Yes, you can eat spinach and nuts with kidney stones. The key is to eat them in moderation. If you have kidney stones already or if you’re at risk for kidney stones, make sure you only consume these high-oxalate items when necessary. Avoiding them when possible will help you prevent the risk of kidney stones further.

Are herbal remedies effective and safe?

Herbal remedies are not universally safe for everyone. Simple remedies like basil juice and honey or wheatgrass juice are helpful and safe for most. However, the effectiveness of these remedies varies among people, and the safety of these remedies also varies. So, it is best if you consult your doctor regarding these remedies before continuing.

Medical Disclaimer

This blog is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified urologist in Delhi for proper evaluation and treatment recommendations.