How Effective is Chiropractic Care For Acid Reflux?
There are so many different types of amazing cuisines and great-tasting food choices to enjoy. We all have our preferences when it comes to mealtime. Some people love sushi, while others would never consume raw fish, other people love exotic spices while some cannot tolerate the onslaught of flavor. Regardless of what you decide to pile on your plate, you should be free to enjoy that plate without fear of after-meal discomfort or pain. Anyone suffering from acid reflux may understand the hesitation of trying different types of food or maybe even eating in general because of the painful burning sensation that may follow after consuming a meal. Acid Reflux can be a debilitating condition, but it does not have to completely dictate your mealtime choices. Chiropractic care for acid reflux can be very effective, and the qualified chiropractors at RxWellness Spine & Health can help improve those unpleasant symptoms.
What is Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is when stomach acid moves up the esophagus and burns the lining in the throat. In some cases, people report acid moving as far up as the back of the throat and into the mouth, which results in them being able to taste the bitter burning bile after a meal. Certain lifestyle choices may result in the development of acid reflux, as well as habits that may make symptoms worse. Some risk factors include:
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Connective tissue disorder
Some lifestyle habits that may also result in acid reflux or the worsening of symptoms include:
- Smoking
- Lying down immediately after eating
- Constantly consuming fried or fatty foods
- Excessive consumption of coffee, soda, or alcohol
- Eating large meals
What Causes Acid Reflux
There is a band of muscle at the end of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter that normally opens and closes. It opens when you swallow and closes afterward to prevent stomach acid from entering the esophagus. However, in some people, it is unable to properly close and tighten. This allows bile and acidic contents of the stomach to move into the esophagus, causing burning and discomfort after eating.
There are a few risk factors, like smoking and overeating, that can lead to the deterioration of the lower esophageal sphincter. Consistently overeating causes the stomach to enlarge and add extra pressure to the lower esophageal sphincter, and overtime that pressure can cause the sphincter to lose its shape, strength, and effectiveness. This makes it less able to properly close after eating and increases the likelihood of developing acid reflux. Smoking also increases the chance of developing acid reflux because the toxins will deteriorate and destroy the membrane lining, making it weaker and less able to properly tighten and prevent stomach acid from entering the esophagus.
Home Remedies for Acid Reflux
Symptoms of acid reflux can sometimes be avoided by making certain lifestyle adjustments or adding/removing specific types of food to your diet. For example, acidic foods may increase the likelihood of experiencing that burning sensation after consuming meals, so excluding foods like lemons or oranges may reduce symptoms of acid reflux. By becoming aware of certain triggers, you may be able to control and reduce the occurrence of symptoms. Some simple home remedies include:
- Drinking herbal tea (chamomile, licorice, marshmallow, slippery elm)
- Adding yoga to your lifestyle
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake
- Chew gum after eating (this increase the production of saliva and can clear stomach acid in the esophagus)
- Avoid carbonated drinks
- Get into the habit of not eating three hours before going to bed
Making changes to your lifestyle can help you reduce symptoms of acid reflux, so you are able to feel less discomfort after each meal.
How Chiropractic Care Can Treat Acid Reflux
Chiropractic care focuses on proper alignment of the body to ensure that every region is able to function at its optimal level without restriction or interference. When you work with a chiropractor, they may take X-rays to get a better idea of what is happening within the body, and how specific regions of nerves are being affected.
A spinal subluxation in the wrong region can prevent the nerves that regulate the digestive system from working effectively. If the brain is sending regulatory information to the stomach and digestive tract, but the nerves that regulate those regions are inhibited, they will be unable to properly deliver that message, and the digestive system will be unable to follow those instructions. Chiropractic care and spinal adjustments can help relieve the pressure of nerves and allow them to properly relay important regulatory information from the brain to the appropriate system.
Acid Reflux & RxWellness Spine & Health
At RxWellness Spine & Health, we provide effective chiropractic care for acid reflux by fully listening to our patients when they describe their list of presented symptoms. Our doctors also conduct thorough examinations, which may include X-rays, to try and get a full understanding of why you may be experiencing constant discomfort. The doctor may complete spinal adjustments to relieve pressure off specific nerve regions. This allows those nerves to function unrestricted, so they can effectively relay vital regulatory information.
In some cases, nerve constriction may not be the result of spinal subluxation, but rather the result of tight muscles and trigger points that may be compressing those nerves. In such cases, the doctor may decide that you could benefit from soft tissue work. At RxWellness Spine & Health, our chiropractors and massage therapists work together to create the best treatment plan for the patient. With the knowledge and guidance of the chiropractor, the massage therapist is able to work on a specific area of concern to help the patient see positive results.
Contact Us
Regardless of what you like to eat, you should feel comfortable eating it without fear of immediate discomfort. You should be able to eat new and different foods without worrying about developing heartburn immediately afterward. Experiencing pain after eating should not be a normal part of your life, so it is important to be proactive with your healthcare and take the necessary steps to ensure that discomfort after eating is no longer the norm. Chiropractic care for acid reflux is very effective, and working with qualified chiropractors at RxWellness Spine & Health can help you enjoy more food with less pain. If you have any questions or want to book a consultation, give us a call at 1+(703) 904 9666 or book an appointment online.