Managing Symptoms of Acid Reflux and GERD

Your spine can have a holistic influence on overall health. Poor alignment puts pressure on certain areas of the body, causes others to weaken and affects communication from the central nervous system.

In turn, poor posture and form can lead to seemingly unrelated health conditions, including acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Learn how chiropractic care can help manage your symptoms.

What Is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is the result of stomach acid traveling up to the esophagus, an organ of the digestive system that moves food and liquid from the throat to the stomach. This irritation of the food pipe lining can occur after a meal or when you lie down.

The cardia is where the top part of your stomach connects to your esophagus. Acid reflux occurs when the cardia does not perform as expected. When functioning correctly, it keeps food and acid in your stomach, limiting exposure to the upper digestive tract.

When the cardia fails, acid and food inside the stomach comes in contact with the thinner protective lining of the esophagus. As a result, you experience a burning, inflamed or irritated sensation that may be accompanied by a sore throat and chest pain.

While age can affect how well the cardia does its job, acid reflux can occur in response to:

• Obesity
• Prescription medication side effect
• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Hiatal hernia, or a bulging in your diaphragm that places pressure on your esophagus
• Consuming a lot of fried food, sweets, alcohol or coffee
• Poor posture
• Stress
• Connective tissue disorder

What Is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a more severe form of acid reflux involving the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which lets food enter the stomach but closes to prevent acid from traveling back up. A weaker LES contributes to GERD, which is characterized by routine backflow of stomach acid and other contents. Additional symptoms include:

• Issues swallowing
• Coughing
• Chest pains
• Feeling a lump in your throat
• Choking
• Throwing up

Long-term exposure gradually erodes the esophageal lining. Treatment for acid reflux and GERD may include medications that decrease stomach acid production and lifestyle changes.

Chiropractic Therapy for Acid Reflux and GERD

Research has shown a correlation between a poorly aligned or abnormally curved spine and the development of acid reflux. This relationship stems from three factors:

• Misalignment places more pressure on the stomach and upper digestive tract, contributing to a hiatal hernia.
• The curvature weakens the back muscles, as well as the stomach-gastric muscle that prevents food and acid from traveling up the esophagus. This factor influences how efficiently food travels from the stomach to the intestines.
• Misalignment also places pressure on the nerves emerging from the spine, affecting activity and how signals travel throughout the body. Called “nerve interference,” this condition influences how the stomach and rest of the digestive tract function.

Chiropractors consider the relationship between the stomach and digestive tract. Treating acid reflux and GERD begins with properly aligning the spine for nervous system relief, a factor which may also be contributing to migraines and muscle spasms. This involves:

• Decreasing stress on the spinal joints and adjacent nerves
• Strengthening the spinal muscles to lessen pressure on the digestive tract
• Encouraging patients to maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on the spine and joints
• Addressing joint restrictions and subluxations contributing to nerve interferences

 
Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury can help patients better manage gastrointestinal issues related to spinal misalignment. To make an appointment, contact us today.