Chiropractic Care for Acid Reflux

Chiropractic care is a safe, all-natural approach for treating acid reflux. This is because the nerves in your spine are affected when the vertebrae are misaligned, causing problems within the stomach and diaphragm. One of the most common problems that arise is acid reflux. 

For many people, a spinal adjustment gradually shifts your stomach and reduces your risk of acid reflux. Chiropractic care also helps improve your overall health and reduce your risk of various medical issues related and unrelated to the digestive system.

Common Causes of Acid Reflux

Several things can cause acid reflux. In many cases, these are issues you can control with lifestyle changes.

The most common causes of gastroesophageal reflux include:

• Diet
• Obesity
• Eating a lot before lying down
• Use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and other medications
• Pregnancy
• Stomach abnormalities

Several foods trigger acid reflux and GERD symptoms. These include:

• Spicy food
• Chocolate
• Coffee and tea
• Fatty or fried foods
• Garlic
• Onions
• Mint
• Citrus fruits
• Tomatoes and tomato-based foods
• Alcohol
• Carbonated beverages

Symptoms of acid reflux include:

• Burning sensation 
• Regurgitation
• Pain in the upper abdomen or chest
• Difficulty swallowing
• Lump-in-throat feeling
• Coughing
• Laryngitis

Treating Acid Reflux

One of the best ways to treat acid reflux is to avoid eating the foods that trigger it. Once you identify a trigger, avoid it when possible. If you want to eat or drink something that causes you to develop acid reflux, take preventative measures in advance. Eat slowly, don’t eat more than one trigger food within a short time, and make sure you eat the food well before bedtime.

Other treatments for acid reflux include ginger and diluted baking soda.

How Can a Chiropractor Help Acid Reflux?

There are several ways a chiropractor can help with treating acid reflux. For instance, a chiropractor will:

• Help you reach and maintain a healthy weight
• Ease the stress on joints and the spine, which eases pressure on nerves
• Strengthen the spinal muscles and relieve stomach pressure
• Correct joint dysfunctions so your body functions as intended

Reflux and Your Spine

Acid reflux can affect your spine. Sometimes people with reflux experience back pain. Conversely, spinal issues can lead to developing digestive issues. 

The spine allows information to travel throughout the body. If there is a problem with your spine or the nerves in it, it can interfere with this communication. Two different nerves affect digestion: intrinsic and extrinsic.

Intrinsic nerves are activated when food stretches the intestinal walls. These nerves release and control liquids that help with digestion. Intrinsic nerves can function without communication from extrinsic nerves.

Extrinsic nerves connect the organs of the digestive system with the spinal cord and the brain. They’re responsible for releasing chemicals that cause muscle contractions and release within the digestive system. Unlike the intrinsic nervous system, the digestive system won’t function if something interferes with or damages the supply of extrinsic nerves to the stomach. 

You have a higher risk of experiencing reflux and other digestive distress if there is a problem with the nerves in your spine. A chiropractor can assist with this issue.

Conclusion

Acid reflux is one of the most common and manageable health problems. There are many ways to treat it without medication, including chiropractic care. If you experience reflux, whether it’s occasional or a chronic problem, speak to a chiropractor about what they can do to help you.

Dr. Eric Neumann D.C.

Dr. Eric Neumann grew up in Alberta, Canada where he majored in Chemistry at the University of Calgary. During his time at University, he obtained licensure as a Massage Therapist. It was clear that hands-on healing would be his calling. After suffering multiple sport-related injuries he became interested in Chiropractic. Dr. Neumann graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 2009. He has since specialized in the treatment and management of acute spinal injuries.