ACID REFLUX

What is Acid Reflux?

Acid Reflux, commonly called heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), is gastric acid that has leaked into the esophageal tract.

Gastric acid can cause mild to severe burning sensations in the chest and throat. Some people who suffer from Acid Reflux tend to have a constant bad taste in their mouth and may suffer from bad breath. We all know that digestive health starts with what we eat, and we all know the importance of fueling our bodies with nutrient rich foods to promote a healthy lifestyle, but did you know that sometimes “eating right” may be doing you more harm than good. – Click here to see more on Food Sensitivity Testing.

How Chiropractic & Acupuncture Therapies Can Help Alleviate the Symptoms of Acid Reflux?

When our bodies are out of alignment we can feel it through achy hips, sore backs and shoulders and many other ways including acid reflux. Good posture goes much further than helping with pains in the body. Bad posture could lead to Postural Kyphosis, a roundness of the spinal column causing parts of the spine to push on areas that normally would not have pressure such as the gastric and stomach area.

Improper positioning causes our internal organs to shift slightly causing issues such as Acid Reflux and other health issues such as arthritis, neck, back, hip and shoulder pain.

Most Common Symptoms of AR & GERD:

Belching
Burning and chronic pressure in the upper abdomen
Chest pain
Coughing and hoarseness
Halitosis (bad breath)
Cramping after a meal
Pain worsening when lying down
Unsatisfied appetite after eating

Some Factors That Contribute to AR or GERD Include:

Pregnancy due to body changes causing pressure
Diet high in acidic food or hypersensitiveness to certain foods
Nerve interference often coming from the spine to the organs
Obesity
Prescription medications
Lumbar kyphosis or thoracic hyper-kyphosis – Poor posture
Smoking
Hiatal hernia

How Chiropractic & Acupuncture Care Helps Relieve GERD

Posture: Lumbar hyper-lordosis and thoracic hyper-kyphosis refers to an abnormal (increased) curvature forward or backwards of the spine. This condition increases the pressure placed on the stomach and esophageal system. In some cases, the pressure is so severe it will cause a displacement of the stomach downward leading to a condition known as hiatal hernia. Left untreated, the altered spinal posture will cause improper digestion and movement of food from the stomach to the intestines. In many cases, it is this altered spinal alignment that leads to GERD.

Nerve Interference: In addition, you will find direct and indirect neurological effects. Further compounding the mechanical causation of GERD is the fact that slight, moderate and severe spinal abnormalities and misalignments in the spine will put unnecessary and often aggravating amounts of pressure on the nerves coming from the spine. Because the nervous system is responsible for EVERY function of the human body, including movement of our limbs and the function of our vital organs, it should be apparent that altered and repressed nerve activity, as a result of poor posture, can also lead to volatilities of stomach function. Chiropractors call altered nerve function from altered spinal alignment a “subluxation” which causes nerve interference.

Nerve interference has a direct impact on the vital nerve energy reaching the organs, including the stomach. If left untreated, the stomach and digestive tract will remain in a state of dysfunction and eventually disease. Many GERD sufferers receiving chiropractic care have reported significant reduction in their symptoms. That’s because realigning the spine back to its healthy shape and strengthening the back muscles reduces the mechanical pressure on the internal organs and allows nerve energy to flow freely throughout the body; therefore, restoring normal function to the stomach and other vital organs.

If you suffer from Acid Reflux or GERD, visit our office for a complementary comprehensive evaluation. We will examine all your symptoms and develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs. Our staff will work with you on a variety of factors that may be contributing to your condition and offer not only chiropractic care, but also nutrition counseling, acupuncture, and several other natural treatment options to help you manage and/or alleviate your condition without harmful medications.

Pregnancy: If the postural changes are not enough to cause irritation the changing belly probably will be. In our office we have multiple doctors trained and certified in Webster Technique® through the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association). This technique specifically addresses the biomechanical changes and dysfunctions seen in a changing women’s body during pregnancy. It is hard to know the cause of your Acid Reflux and GERD over the phone which is why we invite you to come to our office and meet with one of our excellent doctors and/or acupuncturists.

Natural Ways to Reduce Acid Reflux:

It is time to listen to your body. When eating acidic foods such as tomatoes, citrus fruits and sugary foods, do you get more acid build up? If so, these are the foods that you need to start reducing in your diet. Change can be difficult, but after a few weeks you will start to notice a reduction in acid and less acid reflux. Once you learn what aggravates your body, you will be able to reduce or eliminate those food items from your diet.