Acid reflux disease, GERD, and heartburn are common digestive ailments that affect millions of people worldwide. These conditions occur when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest area. While medications such as antacids and other medications can help alleviate symptoms and give you temporary relief, chiropractic care can address the root cause of digestive issues like acid reflux and heartburn.
In this article, we will explore how chiropractic care can effectively help manage these digestive issues and how it works to relieve symptoms.
What is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is a common condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing uncomfortable symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain. It is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Normally, a muscular ring called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) at the bottom of the esophagus keeps stomach contents from flowing back up into the esophagus. However, if this muscle weakens or relaxes too much, it can allow stomach acid to escape into the esophagus.
Overall, it is estimated that up to 20% of Americans experience acid reflux symptoms on a regular basis. However, many people with mild or occasional symptoms may not seek medical attention or be aware that they have acid reflux.
What Causes Acid Reflux?
- Eating a heavy meal or lying down immediately after eating
- Large Hiatal hernia
- Being overweight or obese
- Poor diet with a lot of processed and fried foods
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- Eating spicy foods
- Caffeine intake
- Certain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen
What are Common Symptoms of GERD, Acid Reflux, and Heartburn?
Acid reflux and heartburn are common digestive system disorders that affect millions of people worldwide. They occur when the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest and throat. While occasional episodes of acid reflux and heartburn are normal, frequent episodes can indicate a more serious condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Here are some symptoms to look out for:
GERD Symptoms:
- Heartburn: This is a burning sensation felt in the chest, usually after eating or lying down.
- Regurgitation of food: This is when stomach acid flows back into your mouth or throat, causing a sour or acidic taste.
- Nausea: You may feel nauseous or have an upset stomach due to acid reflux.
- Difficulty Swallowing: You may find it hard to swallow food or liquids due to a feeling of something stuck in your throat.
- Coughing: Acid reflux can cause you to cough more often, especially at night.
- Hoarseness: Your voice may become hoarse or raspy due to irritation caused by acid reflux.
- Chest Pain: Sometimes, acid reflux can cause sharp pain in your chest that feels like a heart attack.
Symptoms of Heartburn:
- Burning Sensation: The most common symptom of heartburn is a burning sensation felt in the center of the chest that worsens after meals or while lying down.
- Sour Taste: Heartburn can also cause an unpleasant sour taste in your mouth due to regurgitation of stomach acid into your esophagus.
- Stomach Pain: Some people experience mild stomach pain along with heartburn symptoms which might be relieved by taking antacids
- Difficulty Swallowing- In advanced stages individuals might find it hard to swallow solid foods because they get stuck on their way down their throats.
- Coughing – Chronic coughs can occur as well as wheezing.
What are Conventional Treatment Options for GERD, Acid Reflux, and Heartburn?
While there are many different causes of acid reflux and heartburn, the symptoms can be quite uncomfortable and even debilitating. Fortunately, there are several conventional treatment options available to help manage these conditions.
One of the most common treatments for acid reflux and heartburn is over-the-counter antacids. These medications work by neutralizing stomach acid, which helps to reduce symptoms such as burning, chest pain, and indigestion. Antacids typically contain magnesium or aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, or sodium bicarbonate.
Another type of medication used to treat acid reflux is H2 blockers. These drugs work by blocking histamine receptors in the stomach, which reduces the production of stomach acid.
Lifestyle changes, such as sleeping upright in bed and avoiding late night eating, may also help alleviate symptoms of heartburn.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Acid Reflux and Heartburn?
Acid reflux and heartburn are common digestive tract issues that can cause discomfort and distress for many people. While medication and lifestyle changes can sometimes help alleviate symptoms, chiropractic adjustments may also be an effective treatment option to help improve function of our vital digestive organs.
Can a misaligned spine cause acid reflux?
Spinal misalignments can affect nerve activity and the nervous system, which controls the function of all organs in the body, including those involved in digestion. By correcting these misalignments through spinal adjustments, chiropractors aim to restore normal function in the nerves and improve overall health.
In particular, chiropractic adjustments may help alleviate acid reflux and heartburn by finding the root cause of the problem and addressing two key factors: inflammation and nerve dysfunction. These can have a direct mechanical effect on vital organs.
Our Chiropractic team has many years of experience in assessing spinal misalignments that can lead to digestive issues like heartburn, GERD, and acid reflux. We can provide you with a treatment plan based on your individual symptoms an needs. Give us a call at (407) 395-8632 or schedule an appointment here to be seen by our experienced team of Chiropractors at Greater Orlando Chiropractic & Wellness!
How Chiropractic Care Helps Reduce Inflammation in the Body
When there is inflammation in the esophagus or stomach lining, it can lead to irritation and a buildup of acid that causes reflux and heartburn. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to reduce inflammation throughout the body by improving blood flow and boosting immune system function. This reduction in inflammation can help ease the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn and help to restore optimal function of the human body.
How Chiropractic Care Restores Nerve Function to Improve Digestive Issues
Nerve dysfunction can also contribute to digestive issues like acid reflux. The nerves that control digestion originate from the spinal cord, so any misalignments or pressure on this area can affect how well these nerves function.
Chiropractic adjustments aim to correct these misalignments, thereby reducing pressure on nerves related to digestion. This may lead to improved digestion overall as well as lessening of acid reflux symptoms.
Can Chiropractic Care Help with Indigestion and Other Gastrointestinal Issues?
Overall, while individual results vary for GERD signs based on each person’s unique situation and condition severity, many individuals report significant relief from their acid reflux and other indigestion symptoms after receiving chiropractic treatment over time.
In addition to spinal manipulation, soft tissue manipulation can be performed by our chiropractors at Greater Orlando Chiropractic & Wellness to help address the root cause of your digestive issues.
Recent studies have been done on acid reflux and chiropractic care. One analysis published in The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association looked at how chiropractic care can improve quality of life for GERD sufferers and patients with other gastrointestinal disorders.
The majority of studies in the above analysis showing patient experiences under chiropractic care reported they demonstrated mild to moderate improvements in presenting symptoms. No adverse side effects were reported. This suggests chiropractic care can be considered as a therapy for patients with various GI conditions.
Other Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is a type of complementary medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. Chiropractors use hands-on techniques to manipulate the spine and other joints in the body to relieve pain, improve mobility, and promote overall wellness.
While many people seek chiropractic care for relief from back or neck pain, there are many additional benefits that come with regular visits to a chiropractor.
Our team has many years of experience in assessing and providing treatment plans based on individual needs. Give us a call at (407) 395-8632 or schedule an appointment here to be seen by our experienced team of Chiropractors at Greater Orlando Chiropractic & Wellness!
Why You Should Consider Chiropractic Care for Acid Reflux and Heartburn
If you’re struggling with acid reflux, you may have tried various medications or lifestyle changes but found little relief. However, chiropractic care can offer a natural and effective solution to help alleviate your symptoms.
Unlike medications that only mask the symptoms of acid reflux, chiropractic care focuses on correcting the underlying issues that lead to it. Our experienced chiropractors will perform a thorough examination to identify any misalignments in your spine or other areas of your body that may need alignment.
Chiropractic care has been shown to be safe and effective in managing many conditions, including acid reflux. Research has found that spinal adjustments can improve digestive function by reducing nerve interference around the spine.
Our team has many years of experience in assessing and providing treatment plans based on individual needs. Give us a call at (407) 395-8632 or schedule an appointment here to be seen by our experienced team of Chiropractors at Greater Orlando Chiropractic & Wellness!
Many of our patients have reported significant improvement in their heartburn and acid reflux symptoms through regular chiropractic adjustments.
Our chiropractors approach treatment by addressing misalignments in the spine that can contribute to digestive issues. While it may not be a cure-all for everyone, incorporating chiropractic care into your treatment plan for acid reflux and heartburn could provide much-needed relief and improve your overall quality of life.