Crohn's DiseaseStrategies to Regain Control and Confidence with IBD

Managing Crohn’s Disease: 7 Ways to Soothe Your Gut

Find relief and keep Crohn’s disease symptoms under control.
Managing Crohn’s Disease: 7 Ways to Soothe Your Gut
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Updated on May 28, 2025
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Even with a solid treatment plan for managing Crohn’s disease symptoms, you may feel pain from time to time, says Ashkan Farhadi, MD, a gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. Causes can include:

  • Ongoing inflammation
  • Swelling (distension) caused by narrowing of or blockages in the intestines
  • Cracks and tears (fistulas) in membranes in the intestines
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Pain that may be rooted in the stress of managing Crohn’s disease

Whatever the cause, it’s important to find strategies for feeling better. These seven home remedies might help.

1. Heating Pads

If the pain is caused by inflammation or ulcerations, you may want to reach for something soft or warm, such as a heating pad or pillow, says Dr. Farhadi. Heating pads apply warmth and pressure to your stomach, which may help relieve cramping or gut discomfort.

Heating pads provide only temporary, not long-lasting, relief. Consider using a heating pad for a maximum of 15 minutes to help with pain.

2. Over-the-Counter Medication

There are plenty of over-the-counter pain medications available, but not all of them are good for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and high-dose aspirin — can relieve pain. But because they can damage the gastrointestinal tract, NSAIDs aren’t recommended for people with Crohn’s disease. Instead, opt for acetaminophen (Tylenol), which isn’t an NSAID.

3. Probiotics

Your gut is home to more than a trillion microorganisms that have profound effects on health. Problem is, people with IBD tend to have less of a variety of microorganisms in the gut — and, therefore, less “good” bacteria — than people without IBD.

You can consume more good bacteria, though, in the form of prebiotics — live, beneficial microorganisms found in foods such as yogurt, kefir, miso, and tempeh, as well as dietary supplements.

It’s not quite clear whether taking probiotics can ease symptoms, but some research has found that probiotics — as well as prebiotics and synbiotics — can help people with IBD reach remission.

 “Anecdotal data shows probiotics improved the immune function, and it makes sense that it may help with all immune-related problems like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease,” says Farhadi. Ask your gastroenterologist whether it would be safe to try probiotics.

What Are Some Treatments for Crohn’s Disease?

Ira Breite, MD, a gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Health System, discusses treatments for Crohn’s disease.
What Are Some Treatments for Crohn’s Disease?

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4. Dietary Changes

You might find relief and avoid Crohn’s disease pain by “identifying foods that trigger abdominal pain,” says James F. Marion, MD, a gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai in New York City. Some common culprits include dairy, greasy or fried foods, and high-fiber foods, such as nuts and popcorn. Additionally, Farhadi says starchy foods such as potatoes and rice can make inflammation worse. To spot potential trigger foods, try keeping track of your meals and symptoms in a food diary.

When in doubt, trust your instincts. “The judge is your gut,” says Farhadi. “If something bothers you, don't fight it. Just take it out of your diet.” Over time, you may be able to pinpoint certain foods that are triggers for you.

5. Medical Marijuana

The jury is still out on whether medical marijuana can relieve pain and other symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease. While some research has shown that medical marijuana improves IBD symptoms, such as nausea and loss of appetite, other studies have shown that cannabis is linked to worsening symptoms.

Farhadi says that marijuana has the potential to help people with Crohn’s disease. But more research studies and clinical trials are needed to study its effect on symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you are interested in learning more about this option.

6. Exercise

Stress has been linked to an increase in IBD flares.

 And exercise is known to help boost mood. Farhadi explains that exercise releases chemicals called endorphins, which reduce pain perception and improve mood.
When it comes to the best exercise for people living with Crohn’s, your best bet may be a low- or moderate-impact aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, swimming, or yoga.

 “Stress is always out there,” says Farhadi. “You have to be cognizant of it and manage it head-on.”

7. Meditation and Mindfulness Training

Meditation and other mindfulness-based activities can help manage stress and improve your quality of life. Research shows that mindfulness can also help lower markers of inflammation in people with IBD.

 Farhadi says that meditation is an important technique to learn and can be combined with exercises such as Pilates or yoga.

The Takeaway

  • To manage pain from Crohn’s disease, try using a heating pad and over-the-counter acetaminophen.
  • If you suspect certain foods may be triggering symptoms, try keeping a food journal and working with a nutritionist.
  • Exercising and practicing mindfulness can help manage stress, which may help you avoid a flare or manage symptoms.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. IBD Pain: Types and Causes. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
  2. Pain Management for IBD Patients. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
  3. Probiotics and Microorganisms. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
  4. Zhang XF et al. Clinical Effects and Gut Microbiota Changes of Using Probiotics, Prebiotics or Synbiotics in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. European Journal of Nutrition. August 2021.
  5. What Should I Eat? Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
  6. Doeve BH et al. A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Cannabis and Cannabinoids for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. October 2021.
  7. Iablokov V et al. Cannabis Use in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Following Legalization of Cannabis in Canada. Crohn’s & Colitis 360. April 2024.
  8. Schneider KM et al. The Enteric Nervous System Relays Psychological Stress to Intestinal Inflammation. Cell. June 22, 2023.
  9. Exercise. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
  10. Naude C et al. The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. June 2023.
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Yuying Luo, MD

Medical Reviewer

Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care for her patients.

Her clinical and research focus includes patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; patients with lower gastrointestinal motility (constipation) disorders and defecatory and anorectal disorders (such as dyssynergic defecation); and women’s gastrointestinal health.

She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology and received her MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she was also chief resident. She completed her gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and was also chief fellow.

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Madeline R. Vann, MPH, LPC

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Madeline Vann, MPH, LPC, is a freelance health and medical writer located in Williamsburg, Virginia. She has been writing for over 15 years and can present complicated health topics at any reading level. Her writing has appeared in HealthDay, the Huffington Post, Costco Connection, the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Huntsville Times, and numerous academic publications.

She received her bachelor's degree from Trinity University, and has a master of public health degree from Tulane University. Her areas of interest include diet, fitness, chronic and infectious diseases, oral health, biotechnology, cancer, positive psychology, caregiving, end-of-life issues, and the intersection between environmental health and individual health.

Outside of writing, Vann is a licensed professional counselor and specializes in treating military and first responders coping with grief, loss, trauma, and addiction/recovery. She is a trauma specialist at the Farley Center, where she provides workshops on trauma, grief, and distress tolerance coping skills. She regularly practices yoga, loves to cook, and can’t decide between a Mediterranean style diet and an Asian-fusion approach.

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